Fashion Trends: Masculin, Féminin

There was a time in this country when men donned powdered wigs and sweet tights. That trend is returning, but in a 21st-century kind of way. Dudes are starting to dress like chicks -- the progenitors of fashion are encouraging such lifestyle choices. Heads turned this spring when Prada unveiled their Fall 2008 menswear collection in Milan, where they casually featured a short, wavy skirt, paired with knits and trousers. But who would have guessed from that minor move in menswear that similar products would continue popping up, making 2008 the year that men began tastefully embracing their feminine side while not quite yet flirting outright with full-on drag.

Since spring, designers have latched on to the idea of the epicene look. In May, Jean Paul Gaultier released a line of men’s makeup, called Monsieur, that includes eyeliner and bronzer (available at Sephora and Bloomingdale’s) that went ten steps passed Pete Wentz’s guyliner, “WentzPentz” (on sale at Hot Topic in five different shades). Then there’s Taxi Man, the full line of male cosmetology, not to mention the contemptible (but slimming!) Manties. A collection of these fine items can be found at Comfilon Activskin.

Putting this aesthetic into practice: none other than Marc Jacobs. He was spotted in September out in New York with Victoria Beckham clad in a purple skirt and gladiator sandals. In addition, Mr. Jacobs was seen sporting high heels in Paris at the Louis Vuitton show, and earlier this week in yet another skirt (black this time) at the New York premiere of Madonna’s directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom. (And let’s not forget Jacobs’ current ad campaign featuring male model Cole Mohr, in both the men and women’s collections).