The gender label is practically all over the place, but with time that delineation seems to change, at least when it comes to fashion. Men’s clothing is women’s clothing now too –which certainly did not occur overnight. There’s an entire social and political level to the progression of women adopting articles of menswear that have seen much debate; but keeping it in the fashion realm it’s interesting to note just how certain items are embraced and occasionally adapted. Business attire, suits, shirts, shoes, casual and sometimes formal men’s clothing all revamped women’s wardrobes. The “Annie Hall” style has a lot to do with this consistent menswear for women fashion reemergence. The style made famous by Diane Keaton has seen some changes since the 70’s, yet in so many ways has also remained the same. In its anatomy the “Annie Hall look” explains how the iconic designs continue to make a statement in the latest trends.
The wide trousers.
In her most recognized stills Annie Hall has on wide-leg khaki pants that rise up to her waist. Throughout the film Keaton’s character dawns wide pants of several colors both as part of her casual wear on a regular afternoon and as part of her business attire. Sure women have rocked pants to work since the days of the Women’s Movements and now it’s also an everyday outfit choice. You can easily spot dozens of women going to work or to the movies in wide-leg trousers.
The collared button-down shirt.
Although not as noticeable but still quite important are the collared button-down dress shirts Hall always wears. No they are not blouses, or have embroidery or flower prints. Instead, Hall’s shirts are either solid colors, striped or flannel -simple and classic. They also fit in a way that flatter her body while not showing off her figure –and not to forget, they are buttoned to the top. While currently such dress shirts are not the easiest to find outside the men’s department.
The vest or blazer.
To top off the collared button-down, Hall often wore a blazer and most famously a vest. In one scene Hall is walking in a bookstore wearing a flannel shirt, tucked into forest green pants and a dark blazer. In a separate scene she completes a business suit with a beige blazer. Most significantly, in the character’s wardrobe are her buttoned vests in both solid colors and stripes. For women –blazers have been an essential for quite some time, whether worn with jeans or as part of a stylish suit- and they are starting to reply in a similar way to vests.
The neck accessories.
Women like to accessorize even when in menswear. Hall completed her outfits with either a tie or scarf around her neck. The scarves she wore were often wrapped simply around her neck or hung around her shoulders. Then there is the tie, which is part of her better-known image – the khaki trousers, white collared button-down and black vest. In the stills of this outfit’s scenes, the dark polka-dot tie is knotted tight and close to her neck and hangs in a causal manner under her vest. Hall’s style demonstrates that accessories for men’s attire –now also including bow ties or suspenders – can effortlessly top off a woman’s fashion style.
Menswear for women endured decades of criticism, emulation, inspirations and trends. To say the least, clothing like that worn by Hall -or Keaton- transcends gender and time. Whether a business suit, work wardrobe or a casual everyday look, men’s clothing can be a women’s clothing and style whenever and however she desires.
