Prep Talk - Menswear Inspired Ensembles

Friday, May 20, 2011




Cardigan & Jeans - Forever 21  /  Top - H&M  /  Tie - Urban Outfitters  /   Belt - Borrowed from Hubby    Shoes - Guess  /  Watch - Diesel  /  Earrings - K.Amato  /  Bag - Banana Republic

One thing that never goes out of style is raiding your man's closet. (I've done it before and I'll do it again.) Having worked in menswear for much of my professional career, its a segment of the industry that's dear to my heart. A job selling suits led to visual merchandising and buying positions where I spent years subscribing to GQ rather than Lucky, discussing lapels and collar stances instead of skirts and stiletto's. Surprisingly though, throughout my exposure to the men's world, I've never actually worn a necktie so I jumped at the chance to do so as part of the latest Bloggers Do It Better challenge from Pretty Shiny Sparkly. We're focusing on the 'Prep' portion of mens inspired but here are a few tips for making menswear work in general.

  • If you're intimated, start small. Borrow a watch, belt or small accessory to ease into the look. The first 'oversize' watch I purchased several years ago felt HUGE at the time but now it seems minuscule compared to other's I've upgraded with lately. You'll feel more comfortable in no time.
  • Use feminine elements to offset the masculine. Wearing the look head to toe can be difficult to pull off and besides, it's fun to incorporate heels, skirts or girly jewels into the ensemble. 
  • In regards to neckties, skinny/slim versions make an excellent choice for the ladies and won't appear oversize on our smaller torso's. Additionally, fabrics other than flat satin work well with our existing wardrobes - try knitted or textured versions to spice it up.
  • Elements like oxfords, shrunken blazers and boyfriend cardigans make fresh, unexpected additions to sun-dresses and skirts.

Finally, since there are tons of great self tie video's (check out Kristina's!) I thought I'd demonstrate how to tie one on someone other than yourself since it's quite a different feeling (backwards and upside-down). Impress your male friends, have some fun helping hubby get dressed... if all else fails it makes a great party trick. I also included a few tie styling tips for my male readers. (I know there are a few of you, thanks guys!)

Oh, and that noise that sounds like a toilet flushing, don't be alarmed - it's only the El train passing by. It's sooo city and I love it :)




Questions? I'm here for ya!

46 comments:

  1. Those jeans are adorable. Gah...I need to shop!

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  2. Hi there! First time on your blog and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your prep outfit! The color palette you used is great and I love how you support your choices with your knowledge of the industry. I swear I have the exact same cardigan in my closet from J. Crew and I actually bought it from the men's section :-)

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  3. Love your take on the challenge, I love those mustard pants!

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  4. I LOVE this look! great tips. I want those jeans!

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  5. Love this - you executed this so well and the tips are all fantastic!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

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  6. Love the outfit! Can't believe those jeans are from Forever, fab! xo

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  7. Love the colors of this outfit! Great idea to pair this look with mustard pants! Chic!

    Shasie
    Live Life in Style

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  8. LOVE your look and those pants are awesome! Great take on prep!

    xx Jody http://ticklemechiic.blogspot.com/

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  9. Love your yellow trousers - you look very cute xx

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  10. love this look! I wore a similar one yesterday!!!

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  11. i am COMPLETELY in love with this look, you look phenomenal!

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  12. I die for this outfit!! LOVE every single part of it. You look fantastic!!
    And I love raiding the boy's closet, every time I swipe one of his shirts I get so many compliments, I might just start dressing out of his closet permanently, haha =)

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  13. You look great - love the look!

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  14. You look like you just walked right out of a Ralph Lauren ad! Great look :)

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  15. Such a great look! I love your ruffled blouse, and mustard jeans with rolled cuffs!

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  16. I absolutely LOVE this! My look is pretty prep, which means plenty of menswear, and John has such a fun closet to raid!

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  17. You look fantastic in this outfit - it's done just right!

    Have a great weekend!

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  18. those mustards jeans rock, love your look, very chic.

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  19. You are so cute! Is that the first video you've done or have I missed them previously? I love your sass! Oddly enough, my dad taught me how to tie a necktie because I used to show horses and that was part of the "costume", as it were. I had a pinstripe suit and a derby. It was quite fun, really.

    Anyway, of course I love this outfit. I never think I can pull off the preppy menswear look but you do it perfectly!

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  20. Love, love, love this outfit! The jeans are just the best color. The button-down is a great way to feminize the tie, and frames it so well too.

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  21. loving the look! those mustard jeans are amazing!!! i can't believe that they are Forever 21! have a great weekend :)

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  22. Fabulous!! The whole outfit is awesome and I love those pants and the video was cute...always a useful tool to know how to tie a necktie!!! XO

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  23. I like how you went with a button up with a different neckline, very cool with the tie :) And the pants are awesome!
    Aubrey

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  24. THe yellow pants and the shoes A++++

    I’d love it if you would stop by and see how a 45+ year old handles “Prep School”—you might find something to smile about anyway! See you there! http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2011/05/menswear-american-prep-outfits-modeled-by-women-over-45-bloggers-do-it-better/

    We have $75 Dress GIveaway on our right hand sidebar. Win something for yourself!
    The Chief Blonde

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  25. Gorgeous! I love those jeans and shoes, especially.

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  26. Ashleigh this is such a terrific look. I absolutely love the color of the jeans. Head to toe you nailed this one!!

    xo,
    Carrie

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  27. i love those yellow pants, and the tie is so cute!

    <3 steffy
    Steffys Pros and Cons

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  28. Absolutely fantastic! This is the style that I have been looking for!!

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  29. I love this outfit so much, it's men inspired but very feminine indeed ! You are looking great, Ashleigh, especially those pants and those heels, wow !
    Thank you for commenting on my blog :) I'd be delighted if you wanted to follow me with google friends connect (of course I already do !). Kisses

    http://fashionandcookies.blogspot.com

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  30. I really love this outfit the bright pants,, the blaze and the brown leather addings it's really great!!
    http://insidekatouscloset.blogspot.com/

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  31. oh my gosh, I can't believe your outfit! It's incredible! Those yellow jeans are amazing!!!!

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  32. Your take on the menswear challenge is adorable! I love the yellow jeans, and the fact that you wore the tie with a ruffled, rather than collared shirt.

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  33. You look hot! I love the mustard pants too.

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  34. Loving the effortless mix of elements like the ruffled shirt, coloured jeans and men's belt in this. Not to forget the topknot too!

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  35. I seriously thought you were a Sartorialist picture, too cute! love the jeans.

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  36. very nice! havent seen this color denim yet but they look fab on you!

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  37. So pretty! You made the menswear look feminine, but not too cutesy. I really love those jeans- the color goes perfectly with the rest of your look. And the bun is the cherry on top :)

    xx Kara
    sprinklesinsprings.com

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  38. i loved hearing your voiceeeee!!!! and the neck tie demo was equally wonderful :) you're so freaking cute. im dying.

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  39. Wow!!! Lovee your style!!! Perfect pants!! Love your fantastic blog! Follow you now! Follow me?

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  40. the pants and cardi are my fave! the stripes on the sleeve are to die for hehe. excellent job! :)

    kimchi girl

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  41. i have one word for this outfit: PERFECT!!!
    :)
    http://www.lovemins.com
    xoxo, Saskia

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  42. Hi Ashley,
    stumbled across your blog through Ervin Cowboy..would you beleive that I have never had to do this...but really should know how! Thanks for the tutorial...Im going to give it a go..I love the idea of a loosely hung neck tie on a women..your ensemble looks fabulous! Anna x

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  43. Those shoes are awesome! Do you have the name of them? I want a pair f brown open toe heels.

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  44. LOL...I bet your man loves for you to pick out his suits. That's awesome!!!

    This is actually one of my favorite looks so far...love what you did with the yellow skinny's. It adds so much flava!

    http://thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com

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