STYLE icon Alexa Chung says she loves being a tomboy and that she feels far
more comfortable wearing trousers and brogues than heels and a frock.Dressing
‘like a boy’ makes her feel more in control, she adds, and on a date she might
even wear a pair of dungarees to test her man’s reaction.
We asked three very different Scots women to try out the masculine dressing
trend.
Suzanne Cullinane, 24, a sales assistant from Kilwinning, Ayrshire, is a
confirmed heels fan and loves glamour and dresses but was willing to give the
look a go.
She said: “I’d never go out without my make-up on and I’m always in heels. I
just don’t feel comfortable in flat shoes.
“I’m not the girliest of girls. I don’t wear pink but I love the old
Hollywood glamour style, which is very feminine and womanly. I actually really
liked my masculine outfit.
“It was comfortable and stylish, in a mod-ish 60s way. I think if you wear
masculine clothes that are fitted, you can still feel feminine.
“I think it would be interesting to go on a date dressed like this but I
would need to switch the flat shoes for heels.
Paul Chappells
Suzanne in a more masculine style
“If you’re not wearing a girly dress and you’re more covered up, your date
wouldn’t be distracted by cleavage or a short skirt – so maybe the conversation
would be better.
“It’s nice to have the choice and that’s what’s great about being a woman. We
have the best of both worlds. We can wear a man’s or a woman’s wardrobe and get
away with it. Men can’t really do the same.”
Samantha McCrae, 23, who is a personal trainer from Glasgow, has been trying
to boost her feminine side in recent years but loved a return to masculine
fashion.
She said: “I’ve always been into sport and fitness so, until recently, I’ve
not been very girly.
“It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve started to get more into
fashion and wear floaty pretty dresses.
“In my job, I don’t get much opportunity to get dressed up, so when it comes
to the weekend I usually make a big effort with hair and make-up and really
transform myself.
“I actually felt really comfortable in the dungarees and, if I was going to a
festival or something, I’d consider buying these. I think men have it easy when
it comes to fashion. They just throw on trousers and a top but us girls have
more to think about.
Paul Chappells
Samantha in dungarees and a casual tshirt
“It’s much more comfortable to go out wearing a nice evening suit than it is
to wear a short dress and heels.
“I can see what Alexa Chung means about feeling empowered.
“You feel more in control and I think men take you more seriously.
“If they meet you and you’re all dolled up in a dress, they don’t treat you
the same way.”
Andria Walker, 36, a burlesque performer from Paisley, found donning a pair
of jeans and shirt was way out of her comfort zone.
She said: “I’m a very girly girl and my wardrobe is basically all evening
gowns.
“I’m renowned for being over-dressed on nights out with my friends. For me,
it’s all about the dress. I think I might have some kind of Cinderella
complex.
“Even when I’m dressed casually during the day I’ll wear a short dress and
boots but I’d never go for a jumper and jeans.
Paul Chappells
Andria in casual jeans and a shirt
“When I was dressed in the jeans and checked shirt, I felt like I was an
imposter, I just didn’t feel like me.
“I did feel very comfortable but I didn’t feel empowered or anything like
that.
“If I was going to wear jeans and a checked shirt, I’d have to make it more
feminine, with more make-up and big hair.
“The mannish look just isn’t for me.”