Miu Miu, via Style.com / Ralph Lauren, via Style.com / Giorgio Armani, via Style.com

Erin ~ Menswear is the trend of the season for all you career women out there. Office dress-codes can be incredibly strict, which can make staying stylish difficult, but menswear is one trend that will almost always get HR’s stamp of approval. It’s an incredibly classic look, and there’s something undeniably chic about the contrast between masculine and feminine.

While I applaud anyone who will pick up a patterned suit this season (there are a plethora of cute options at Topshop and ASOS), I’m going to focus on how the rest of us can wear this trend, starting with a classic two piece suit. If you don’t already own one, this season is a great time to invest. Look for classic black, charcoal or navy, preferably in tropical wool so it will work for a variety of seasons. The jacket should be a two button style with slim lapels and a trim fit. It should come with a pencil skirt and slim pants with either a straight leg or a very slight boot-cut. My favorite suit on the market right now is the Gabrielle Tailor Blazer and Ines Tailor Pant at Theory, but Ann Taylor and Banana Republic always have great options on a budget.

The obvious way to wear a suit is to wear both the jacket and pants with just a crisp white shirt underneath, a pair of pumps and your favorite accessories. However, the more modern way to wear a suit is to mix and match the pieces, so let’s split that suit up!

Gabrielle Tailor Blazer, Theory, $395 / Café Capri, J. Crew, $138 / Helen Patent Pump, Audrey Brooke, $70 / Button Down Shirt, Maison Scotch, $70 / Skinny Patent Belt, American Apparel, $17 / Gold Initial & Pearl Necklace, Danielle Stevens, $80

First we have the jacket paired with herringbone ankle pants. The ankle length silhouette is right on trend for fall and the herringbone adds to the menswear feel. A white button down tucked in and buttoned up with a black belt keeps the look classic menswear. However, the gold tipped heels, delicate chevron pattern, cream silk, black patent leather and gold initials necklace keep the look from being too harsh.

Perfect Oxford Shirt, Gap, $50 / Drifter Sweater Vest, Land’s End, $30 / Skinny Silk Tie, Express, $50 / Romelia, Aldo, $90 / Color Lip Last “All You Need is Red”, Sephora, $12 / Ines Tailor Pant, Theory, $255

Suit pants worn with a blue oxford is your basic boring office-wear uniform. Add a shrunken sweater vest for some quirk and make sure to roll up the sleeves and leave the button down un-tucked to keep it from looking too fussy. Try a black silk skinny tie tucked into the sweater vest. I personally love the look of a woman in a tie. The look is very geek chic and not everyone’s taste, but the outfit will look just fine without a tie as well. Heels and a bright lip add a dash of femininity.

Perfect Oxford Shirt, Gap, $50 / Cambridge Cable V-neck Sweater, J. Crew, $88 / Sweet with Pleats Skirt, Modcloth, $45 / Polka Dot Tights, Hue, $14 / Ruffle Flat, Pink & Pepper, $40 / Rose Bangle, Jules Smith, $75

For those who just want to add a touch of menswear to their look but aren’t ready to go full-on androgynous, here’s a much more loosely inspired casual look. A full skirt, polka dot tights and rose gold bracelet are quintessentially girly and contrast nicely with boyish layers. An oxford under a cable knit sweater and patent leather smoking slippers create a look that’s just a little bit preppy menswear and still very feminine.

What do you say? Will you be taking menswear from 9 to 5 this fall?

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