Fashion expert shares tips for men on how to ace gender bending looks

You donrsquot have to look too far on the Internet to spot Lady Gaga mouthing the iconic oneliner lsquoFather Son and House of Guccirsquo in promotions for the upcoming biopic But at the recent UK premiere of the film it was her cast member Jared Leto who upped the fashion stakes in a teal velvet suit which he accessorised with a lot of bling including a diamond pendant a chunky diamond ring and a silver clutch shaped like a human heart Rounding off his look were whiteheeled boots and matte white nail polish which brushed aside any residual remnants of the nowoutmoded notion that these accessories are intended to be worn only by womenMihika Bhanot and Sanjana BubberldquoItrsquos becoming increasingly clear at least in the world of fashion that the boundaries of gender and sexuality are being challenged to greater lengths by fashionlovers who place their individuality before stereotypes Accordingly wersquore seeing women gravitate towards more structured clothing and accessories such as blazers or chunky sneakers for instance while men are adopting elements of womenrsquos wear into their wardrobes Itrsquos a very exciting time for fashion as there was always this chasm between menrsquos wear and womenrsquos wear which has now become the focal point for designers and fashionconscious dressers alike as is evident in the rise of androgynous or genderfluid trendsrdquo explains Sanjana Bubber a fashion designer She points out that style icons such as Harry Styles and Ranveer Singh are bringing such trends into the mainstream and popularising themStrike a balanceWhen it comes to accessories Bubber believes that the key is not just choosing the right pieces but also styling them well ldquoThe trick is to pick two or three statementmaking focal points and keep the rest of your outfit relatively neutral So if yoursquore wearing sparkly jewellery pair it with neutral clothes The idea is to break up an outfit that is conventionally masculine with feminine elementsrdquo she explains Another good way to break gender norms is with bold prints mdash you could for instance wear a paisleyprinted suit and pair it with a shirt or pocket square in a clashing print In doing so you are taking a masculine silhouette and adding a genderbending element in the form of prints she addsGlossy lips soften your look layer blingy necklaces and a sparkly clutch makes a statementBling is inChunky gold necklaces can easily be paired with a variety of looks as can pearls says Bubber Similarly sparkly rings brooches cufflinks and tie pins help to break the monotony of formal suits You could even experiment with floral designs to convert these accessories into statement pieces ldquoGlitter or rhinestones can be incorporated into your apparel or even your footwear to soften your look Sparkly patches near your cuffs or running down the sides of your pants work well for occasionwearrdquo advises image consultant and personal branding expert Mihika Bhanot While wearing brooches she advises pinning them to your lapel on the other side of your pocket square Another way to work bling into your outfit is with chunky shiny watches she points out For risktakers she advises wearing glittery ear cuffs that can be clipped onto your ear If you have pierced ears dangling earrings make a stylish statement mdash these often have anchors or crosses or other masculine charms attached to them which add balance to your look she says Stacking multiple bracelets on one wrist can add colour to your look and soften masculine silhouettes Bagrsquos the wayBubber points to the invention of the murse a portmanteau of man and purse to highlight the growing popularity of bags for men ldquoIn addition to satchels and crossbodies clutches are now taking centrestage on the red carpetrdquo she shares To add more character to your holdall Bhanot suggests knotting a brightly printed scarf on the strapNails and lipsThanks to pop icons such as Styles and AAP Rocky nail art is no stranger to the red carpet For more versatility Bubber recommends that you stick to neutrals black offwhite and taupe for your tips Bhanot adds that glossy lips are another fashion do for genderbending fashion lovers ldquoGlosses with a light tint of colour can instantly brighten your face and add softnessrdquo she points out