Thanks to Marc Jacobs, sexy suits are back in full force for Spring 2013. Showcasing a series of midriff-baring, '60s-inspired suits on his spring runway, Jacobs set the tone for a season filled with work-to-night wardrobes that take a cue from the boys.
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On Lexington Avenue last September, Marc Jacobs' models sashayed down the runway in low-slung striped skirts, conventional kitten heels and exposed midriffs. Blazers abounded and boxy bags matched the models' reinterpreted office attire. In short, we were met with a modern menswear renaissance. Blurring the lines between sexy skin-baring femininity and masculine corporate looks, the kilt-crazy designer dazzled us with a new take on gentle gender bending.
RELATED: Marc Jacobs' Graphic Take on the '60s
The menswear trend, however, cannot solely be attributed to Marc Jacobs. Indeed, ever since YSL introduced “le smoking” in the '60s and revolutionized womenswear, the fashion world’s fascination with androgynous tuxedo dressing has crept into many a designer collection.
But we digress.
RELATED: Louis Vuitton's Checkered View of the '60s
With boys looks back on the radar, tapping into the menswear trend is an obvious maneuver. Less obvious, however, is how to take your outfit out of the office and transform it into an edgy evening ensemble.
The 2013 menswear trend, we’ve discovered, is all about proportions. Long, chest-flattening blazers are the preferred masculine accompaniment to cropped hip-hugging trousers or a low-waisted skirt. For daytime, suggestive suits are best offset by covered necklines and a pair of chic flats. Lending a laid-back vibe to your office outfit, retro bowling bags are the perfect accessory to downplay an inviting look.
When it comes time to take your buttoned-up blazers from day to night, the transformation is simple. To start, trade in pointy-toe flats for a pair of slender stilettos with a sexy ankle strap. Leave your bowler at the office, and instead carry your essentials in a mod, perhaps Plexiglass, clutch. Ditch the scarf and excess jewelry in favor of a bare neck. And, last but not least, make room for the midriff. But remember, while showing some skin is in, looking sexy in a suit comes down to moderation.
