Luxe, Androgynous Suiting Is Fall's Most Powerful Fashion Statement

The notion of "borrowing from the boys" in the world is fashion is nothing new: a straight-legged jean here; a collared shirt there. But this season, designers went beyond adding a perceived masculine touch to otherwise traditional womenswear items, and instead have fully embraced the notion of gender fluidity when it comes to dressing. In place of precious frocks in flowing fabrics and amorphous silhouettes are strong, fiercely structured and wholly solid pieces made for the modern woman—and man. It's an aesthetic that instantly gives an air of vigor and invincibility to its wearer. Take, for example, Raf Simons's debut for Calvin Klein, where the designer presented a series of instantly coveted trenches and suit jackets, encasing the fabrics in transparent plastic for an added layer of armor, or Balenciaga, where Demna Gvasalia presented asymmetrical tweed jackets with shoulders so sharp they could double as weaponry. Elsewhere, brands like Gucci and Tibi made plaid no longer a print best left for Catholic school uniforms, but rather a look of modernity—expect to see the pattern every where come fashion week. And the ultimate topper? None other than the traditional neck-tie, the perfect punctation to a truly statement-making ensemble. For Fall, there is no more his or hers. There is only ours.