Fashion Week: Karen Walker

Karen Walker, you have redeemed yourself. I fell in love with you when your fall 2007 show emulated WWII fashions. Hell, I based an entire editorial around it...and then last season you lost me a little. It was the knitted stuff with bright yarn and tassles that left me puzzled. But that's OK, cuz I loved Spring 2009, so we're good again! 

You hit the nail on the head with the menswear trend. Yes, girls are no longer looking for the female shrunken version of menswear, but the oversized stuff they'd find in their boyfriends closet. Even I, a mere slip of a thing, find myself drawn towards the mens section of stores to get the look. Of course, I never really find anything there for me, and that is where Karen Walker comes in.

She keeps it oversized and slouchy, but still fitted in the right places (the waist of pants, or the crop of a jacket), and adds in colors and patterns that are pleasing to women.  The inclusion of thin heathered grey jersey is practically de rigueur, and she did it well by adding the print of a ram head (how very Freemans of you, Karen).

And PS, I am thinking that it will soon be easier to find womens leather oxford shoes soon. I had trouble finding myself a pair last season (finally resorting to the internet)...but once they hit the runway like that, it's only a matter of time. yay!