iCandy
Hearing stories about women such as socialite Nan Kempner, who once famously removed her Yves Saint Laurent Le Smoking tuxedo bottoms at the door of a posh Parisian restaurant after being denied entry for wearing trousers (fortunately the tuxedo jacket was long enough to pass as a dress), shows us what it takes to be a true fashion icon.
Unafraid to break rules, style arbiters instead make new ones to suit themselves, which lesser fashionistas will then follow.
But as this is a trends column, let's focus instead on Kempner's tuxedo jacket. Her brilliant move has turned this item - a staple of menswear - into an ultra-feminine piece that's sensual but strong. Recently, the tuxedo jacket has enjoyed a renaissance and I've seen it worn on both casual and formal occasions alike.
If I have to find a modern-day example of a fashionista who gets this look right, I would have to say Ashley Olsen. The 22-year-old actress has worn a well-cut tuxedo jacket over everything from loose T-shirts and jeans to elegant evening gowns. Much of the time, she rolls or pushes the sleeves up to her elbows for a nonchalant touch.
All of that just goes to show that if you invest in well-made, timeless essentials, you can play around with your look as much as you want and not miss the mark.
However, if you just want to have fun without spending a bundle, try picking up vintage pieces and altering them to suit you. Fiona (left), for instance, is wearing a vintage cropped tuxedo jacket in velvet over a colourful printed dress, black tights and ankle boots. The jacket makes the look slightly dressier but still casual enough to be worn in the daytime.
Men also can take tuxedo jackets out of context and pair them with jeans or chinos for a different look. I particularly like Richard's choice (right). The jacket is unusual because proportionally it looks a little small and too short for him, but that's the look he's going for. The sleeves hit above the wrist so you can see the cuffs of his shirt peeking out. His little red bow tie, jeans and loafers complete the quirky but cool outfit. This is geek chic at its best.
I've seen a lot of tuxedo jackets and tuxedo-inspired clothing for both men and women at Zara. Or if you want something less run of the mill, check out Initial (Shop B, G/F, China Insurance Building, 48 Cameron Rd, TST, tel: 2442 1995) or local boutique 5cm (49 Granville Rd, TST, tel: 2366 1193).
