Or do they?
What IS a real man, anyway?
Friends, I've had lace on my mind lately. I just bought two very wide yards of the stuff -- beautiful black cotton lace from Mood Fabrics.
Behold!
It has this great break (for lack of a better term) in the design every yard or so, so you can trim there (rather than hem) or incorporate it into your garment design as-is.
Even though I have seen a few photos of men wearing lace over bare skin, my idea is to use it as an overlay in a shirt.
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| Comme des garcons 2014 - contrast sleve |
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| Comme des garcons 2014 - contrast front |
Otherwise it's a little too sexy for my lifestyle.
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| Marc Jacobs at 2012 Met gala |
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| Comme des garcons (mesh, not lace, but the same idea) |
I do kind of like this lace-on-top look.
At MGM they taught us never to flagrantly expose our nipples.
Seriously, here is the lace over some shirting in my stash -- I really like the look. I'd probably use it either just on the sleeves or just on the torso.
Over lavender dotted swiss:
Over the floral I used in my most recently completed shirt:
Over a pale gray floral:
Over red gingham it's especially vibrant -- with purple, much less so.
Anyway, I hope to come up with something lacy later this month.
Here are the other fabrics I picked up:
Dark selvage denim.
Chalk-striped black linen.
And there's a new pattern in my life! (Actually, two, but you'll have to wait for the second.)
And that's it! I have class tonight so I may try to take a nap for a bit.
Any thoughts about men in lace?
Have a great day, everybody!
I love the new pattern :) and think lace as an overlay would be nice for a man, cant wait to see your creation
ReplyDeleteVery Johnny Weir
ReplyDeleteI'm oddly loving that black lace with the red gingham...you may be onto something with that combo.
ReplyDeleteGoogle "barong tagalog". it's a formal shirt commonly worn by those of Filipino descent. Lots of them with intricate embroidery.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of the see-through garments on men OR women. To me it just seems like the person is trying too hard, you know?
ReplyDeleteThat said, I think it can make an interesting design element and not come off as frou-frou or "girly", if used correctly.
I like the lace overlying the lavender dotted swiss or the pale grey floral.
ew, no. the yoke part of the shirt wasn't too bad, but I am just not a lace/see-through kinda person.
ReplyDeleteIn Europe in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries men proudly wore lace--if they could afford it. Lace was all made by hand, then, and only those with wealth could afford it so wearing lace was an indicator of high status.
ReplyDeleteI think I read once that one of the more puritanical religious sects from England ONLY allowed men to wear lace (collars, cuffs, etc.) because women were supposed to dress more modestly.
DeleteI'm a ballroom dancer - lace in mens wear reminds me of Latin costuming for men. But thats probably why I like it.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember Roght Said Fred wearing a lot of mesh, and I was VERY ok with that! I'm pretty sure men wore quite a lot of lace right up until a couple of centuries ago anyway.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.iloveitalianfashion.com/news/men-in-lace/ like the first shirt, but the shorts are not so cool.
Like the black lace over red gingham too. A shirt body of this combo with gingham sleeves might be cool. Not sure how to handle collar and cuffs.
ReplyDeleteI too am currently taken with lace!!! I'm working on a project in black lace (I'm going to try and make it look as nice as the lovely stuffs you just got). I am not a particularly avant garde dresser so I won't be rocking the lace anytime soon but I like it; I can't wait to see your creation
ReplyDeleteThat size 18 pants pattern should live at my house.
ReplyDeleteI want some of that fabric! That break in the pattern is amazing. I think a lace shirt on a man would be killer if it isn't too floral.
ReplyDeleteThe sheer black lace shirts look like tattoos you can remove.
ReplyDeleteThat lace over pale grey as a flamenco shirt with the pin-striped linen as high-waisted pants à la flamenco. Too gorgeous. You have the build to carry it off.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
I think Elvis had a famous lace shirt that he had made up by a seamstress. If it's good enough for Elvis, I am sure you can rock it.
ReplyDeleteWhere I come from (Nigeria) men wear lace. And for the decade plus, that I had lived (and studied fashion design) in Italy, I had seen outfits for men with some lace on it. I guess the trick is what you use it for or how you use it....but that goes for just about any fancy fabric, yes? Can't wait to see what you will come up with..
ReplyDeleteDefinitely prefer the lace-over-something to the lace-on-bare-skin (ick). Geogrrl is so right about "trying too hard." I think you can definitely pull this off. It's not that far a stretch from a man in a pink button-down or polo, which rarely looks overly feminine. I think it depends on what else you're wearing. I'd avoid a skirt ; ).
ReplyDeleteLove the white shirt with the lace at the top. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteLace at the collar or cuffs or jabot is quite 18th century. Otherwise, I'm sorry, but I guy in lace just looks like a professional ice skater to me. I DID like the look of the lace over the red gingham, for some reason...
ReplyDeleteRed gingham! Did you ask for a vote? That's my vote. Lace over red gingham.
ReplyDeleteLace is definitely part of vestments worn by male clergy.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a lace yoke at the back of the shirt. Those totally transparent shirts just look weird.
ReplyDeleteI suspect lace guidelines for men are similar to those for women: don't expose anything not suitable for a nice restaurant, unless you're deliberately trolling.
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing a lot of transparent blocking lately. Are chiffon and lace the new color blocking?
Hello, I've been enjoying your blog for ever, but this is the first time I've commented.
ReplyDeleteI think the black lace really sings with the red gingham, so that gets my vote too,but I think it could look great with a tougher plainer fabric for a real contrast- grey denim or chambray for example?
Definitely agree that visible nipples is a no-no for either gender, and prefer the lace as just a contrast- just the yoke looks stunning. Or for the ultimate sewing challenge , even for you- just the collar and plackets. Might be a bit scratchy, though. Whatever you decide, it will be fab- it always is!
I really like the lace on top of both ginghams or the floral from your recent shirt for class. The white shirt with lace shoulders is stunning. In the uk there are all these stupid ad campaigns about what real men do. Makes me so mad. Then I come over here and am reassured their are men who are real because they love what they do and don't pay attention to stupid stereotypes :-)
ReplyDeleteI am really in favor of breaking gender barriers. But I think lace for men is really a difficult exercise.
ReplyDeleteI thought that maybe you could use it in a casual way: stripes of lace on a T-shirt? The more I think about it, the more I want to make that shirt for me...
Anyway, bold always makes me smile, so go for it!
Oh, the lace you purchased is just beautiful! Must be put to use somehow. As an overlay on shirt, but maybe also on trousers somehow? Yes to men in lace! :)
ReplyDeleteThough being more conservative in fabric choices myself I enjoy seeing what you come up with. The see-through is a no (personal) but the overlays are interesting. Looking forward to what you're doing with this.
ReplyDeleteActually lace men’s shirts were very hot in the late sixties in Europe. I bought my then boy friend one in white lace, not see through though, a heavier lace, and he looked gorgeous in it! BTW, I love your blog.
ReplyDeletethat last shot. every capezio i've ever been in.
ReplyDeletevery cool over the floral shirt! i'm so excited to see what you come up with.
I would have said no way but I kinda like the lace over the red gingham. I'm thinking of a short sleeve sort of '50's western cut shirt mashed up with a bit of lace overlay, an Amy Winehouse sort of vibe (Beehive optional). You have the skills, I'd love to see what you can make.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm.....you've been doing a lot of experimenting lately, now confess! Have you secretly found a financial backer who will help you launch a men's wear line???!! Remember folks.............. I said it first!!! LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting-- I like Animation-Ace's idea of a lace overlay on the yoke of a shirt. And I do like the lace with the gingham. I would love to live in a society that didn't take gender so seriously, especially with clothing. If you're not involved with or considering sleeping with another person, I can't see where gender even comes into it.
ReplyDeleteI love how adventurous you've been lately! I can't wait to see how you work this up - I love it over the bright floral.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see that lace over solid red - I'll bet it really pops then. I think it might be nice on cuffs, yoke, pocket, outer collar or placket. Or even maybe in guayabera style strips down the front with tucks on the sides of the lace to get a clean edge.
ReplyDeleteOK so I'll show up as annonimus again even when asked to sign in but..... it depends on the lace pattern but as an overlay to a shirt it's fine. If making a shirt/ outfit just from lace then you need the body for it LOL and that marc jacobs suit, he should have worn black boxers/briefs otherwise, why not just turn up in underwear? (possibly he could have worn red or blue silk boxers/briefs or some with a gold thread design on them)
ReplyDeleteLace might be OK if making lounge trousers or something or as an insert in casual trousers etc. but you'd need to either partially line them or wear undies with them if in mixed company or answering the door :)
Gaz
I have long loved the idea of lace on a man - but I love it for the back of a shirt, revealing bare skin beneath... and in black... or whatever gives a really nice contrast to skin tone. Cream lace on a black man would be good, too...
ReplyDeleteI have a project in mind to use a lace overlay over the outside yoke, inside cuff, and collar stand facing of a "smart casual" shirt. I also plan to apply a lace "slash" to the very bottom of the front placket. I've been to Fabric Depot (Portland, OR) a couple of times looking for the perfect fabric and lace match. I'm looking seriously at blue rayon shirting and a buff lace.
ReplyDeleteI meant to mention - I played around with samples and the lace overlay definitely changed the drape of a light fabric, which is why I'm using it for areas that can handle the additional stiffness. I will interface with the lightest sew-in I have.
DeleteDang, I like the nipple look. I would even rock that in the right place. With a group of friends so help scare off creepers, hahaha
ReplyDeleteOh, please please do it! I love the lace yoke idea.
ReplyDeleteThe Marc Jacobs lace jumpsuit/boxer shorts is a bit much, but yes, I think a man can certainly wear lace. Using it as an overlay would be a fantastic idea. :)
ReplyDeleteJust like a previous poster I ballroom dance, and you see a lot of men's Latin costumes adorned with stretch mesh and occasionally stretch lace. So that is what I think of lace on a man's shirt, a costume. Also, I don't think that is selvedge denim, your denim has a fuzzy edge, selvedge denim has a tightly woven edge. Just sayin'!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a lace overlay. Alternately, I think a lace back would look cool (and more subtle than some of the other ones).
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a lace shirt, I never considered it before. Umm, I think I will have to make my own lace shirt! Can't wait to see your project.
ReplyDeleteI love this post!! You've given me some great crochet design ideas for a butch in my life :)
ReplyDelete