THE JOURNAL

Over the past decade, traditional gender lines have become increasingly blurred, and that fluidity can certainly be felt in fashion world. Unisex dressing is becoming the norm (see Rick Owens’ silhouettes and BODE’s gender-neutral pieces) and various stylish men in the public eye, most notably Mr Harry Styles and Lil Nas X, are getting in touch with their feminine sides and pulling off skirts, pearls and nail polish with aplomb.
While you may not be ready to dive head-first into a dress just yet, there is plenty to be gained from broadening your gender horizons. Women have always borrowed from the men’s department – not to mention stolen our favourite sweaters – and can often deploy items in clever ways you may not have considered. Autumn is the perfect time to look beyond your usual roster of male muses. Below are seven well-dressed women whose wardrobes we would happily raid and the style lessons to glean from each.
01.
Ms Tilda Swinton’s slouchy tailoring

Ms Tilda Swinton at the Marrakech International Film Festival, Morocco, 6 December 2019. Photo by Ms Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images
With her platinum-blonde pixie cut and razor-sharp cheekbones, actress and red-carpet chameleon Ms Tilda Swinton is the queen of androgynous chic. We’d even go so far as to say she nails tailoring better than many of her male co-stars. This suave two-piece from Haider Ackermann, one of her favourite designers, is a prime example of her talent for making sharp suits feel as easy and effortless as pyjamas (a good thing). Her all-white outfit is certainly impactful, but it’s dialled down by the fluid lines and deconstructed fit and swapping a shirt for a T-shirt.
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02.
Ms Hailey Bieber’s high-low dressing

Ms Hailey Bieber in Los Angeles, 10 December 2019. Photograph by Shutterstock
Who to credit for Ms Hailey Bieber’s impeccable style – the model herself or the mysterious figure in black beside her (otherwise known as celebrity superstylist Ms Maeve Reilly)? Whatever the answer, there’s no doubt that Bieber’s outfits, which often juxtapose ultra-casual sportswear with boxy tailored pieces, show a flair for high-low dressing. Take this look, for example. The coordinated all-white sweats-and-sneakers combo already feels more intentional than the average at-home tracksuit, but it’s given added polish by way of a timeless camel coat and angular black sunglasses. The oversized silhouette of her outerwear makes the most impact and elevates an everyday outfit from ordinary to editorial.
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03.
Ms Bella Hadid’s expert layering

Ms Bella Hadid in New York, 13 December 2020. Photograph by Splash News
Legend has it there’s a picture of Ms Bella Hadid on every fashion director’s drawing board. Why? Well, the supermodel can always be relied on to deliver the freshest, most photographable looks, even on her off days. Her street style typically encompasses loose-fitting trousers, edgy jackets and sneakers, although the preppy black Prada loafers here help smarten up her jeans and have already been added to our Wish Lists. This oversized double-denim ensemble is first and foremost a lesson in advanced layering. The T-shirt, varsity sweater, blazer and denim jacket (and their varying necklines) create depth and interest and are perfect for transitional autumn-winter weather.
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04.
Ms Peggy Gou’s all-black everything

Ms Peggy Gou in Paris, 6 October 2020. Photograph by Skwad Photography/Blaublut-Edition.com
Sneaker aficionados could do worse than take their sartorial cues from Ms Peggy Gou. Whether she’s posting on Instagram or setting the mood for a fashion party from behind the decks, the Berlin-based DJ typically polishes off her cool outfits (think camp-collar shirts and the latest streetwear) with something from her covetable sneaker collection, most often Nike Dunks and Jordans. That’s not to say she’s averse to more formal footwear – note the sturdy Chelsea boots here – although these often have a masculine edge, too. Gou’s confidence with print and colour even finds its way into a head-to-toe monochrome look, which here is made refreshingly modern with a touch of pattern.
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05.
Rihanna’s avant-garde accessories

Rihanna in New York, 8 February 2020. Photograph by Mr Jawad Elatab/Backgrid
Newly crowned billionaire Rihanna not only has the funds to splurge on whatever fit she so chooses, the singer is also famed for being able to pull off pretty much any look, no matter how experimental. That’s the case whether she’s dominating the Met Gala red carpet (where she most recently donned a billowing Balenciaga number) or strolling through the streets of New York. It may look like hardly any thought has gone into this low-key outfit, but really, it’s a masterclass in making a Metallica T-shirt feel a little less earnest. Simply counterbalance it with an offbeat accessory – say, a fluffy green bucket hat – and dress it all the way down with dark blue denim and Jordans.
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06.
Ms Zoë Kravitz’s carefree colour blocking

Ms Zoë Kravitz in New York, 28 August 2021. Photograph by Backgrid
Actor Ms Zoë Kravitz may have carved out her own identity away from her celebrity parents, but their stylish influence can be seen in her wardrobe. Her rock ’n’ roll sensibility – see her rotating collection of black shades and vintage-style jeans – comes from her father, Mr Lenny Kravitz (it’s no surprise both have been snapped up as SAINT LAURENT ambassadors). Meanwhile, she’s inherited a laid-back bohemian spirit from her mother, Ms Lisa Bonet, which means she’s never one to be overdressed. By layering a white tank top underneath this punchy red oversized shirt and leaving the shirt unbuttoned, she breaks up the colour and ensures this outfit stays true to her carefree essence.
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07.
Ms Kristen Stewart’s grungy accents

Ms Kristen Stewart attends the Telluride Film Festival, Colorado, 4 September 2021. Photograph by Ms Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
She may typically be styled in head-to-toe Chanel for red-carpet events, but actress Ms Kristen Stewart wears even the hautest of haute couture lightly. Her off-duty looks are casual, but never quite dishevelled and we’re keen to decode why. Her nonchalant attitude certainly has something to do with it, but outfits such as this one also illustrate how subtle touches and smart styling tricks can add flair. The contrasting black details on her Cuban-collar shirt and the cropped, rolled-up jeans make an otherwise plain outfit twice as interesting, while the blood-red Tuk Creepers and lock-chain necklace infuse an element of 1990s grunge that’s become her signature.
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