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A Chic Shop Owner Schools Us On Menswear (& Vows To Stop Smoking)

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Remember that time you deemed every member of The Strokes as your style icons? And then that phase when you decided your (now ex) boyfriend’s button-down shirt paired with skinny jeans was your favorite look? And possibly this season, you're all about tuxedo dressing? When exactly did we all start dressing like dudes? We suppose we can thank style mavericks like Coco Chanel, Marlene Dietrach, and Yves Saint Laurent for the original inspiration.
And we can thank Curve owner Nevena Borissova for continuing to provide fresh fodder on that front. Last Thursday night, cross-dressing was on everyone’s mind, when the stylist and high-end boutique owner discussed the huge influence menswear has had on women’s fashion during a talk at the Soho Beach House. Borissova covered everything from YSL’s Le Smoking and today’s blazers and comfortable trouser pants to the effects of Kurt Cobain-inspired grunge. After we were schooled on the history of trading hoopskirts for oxfords, we had to sit down with the lady of the hour for a quick chat.
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So, we like menswear. But what’s the best way to wear it?
“I think that the key pieces for getting the menswear look is the blazer. A buttoned-up button-down with jewelry and maybe even a second color on top of it, would be great. And then rolling up slacks and adding oxfords is a way to get this look, even if you’re doing it with a feminine blouse.”

And advice for stylist hopefuls?
“I do think that you have to train the eye — going through magazines and finding what you like or what draws you in, is a good place to start. Look at movies, magazines, and blogs, and pull things that make your eyes or your heart or you stomach feel something different. I think that to be a good stylist, you have to acquire a lot of knowledge. You have to be able to look at a person and know what would look good on them.”

Who's doing the best job of pulling off the menswear look right now?
“Angelina Jolie. She slicks her hair. She dresses clean with no jewelry, and she still looks good.”

Any New Years resolutions?
“I’m absolutely quitting smoking. I’m getting hypnotized this time. I want to start working out. I’m 36 and Pilates is calling my name.”

What is one item you can’t live without?
“Right now, my sequin jacket.”

Photo: Courtesy of Nevena Borissova.
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