For the last few seasons Tim Soar has busied himself with examining and reinterpreting the true classics of menswear, appropriating hits and remixing them to his own tune to much acclaim. Since AW10, the designer has condensed the last one hundred and fifty years of menswear, picking out key pieces and exploring the shifts in the social constructs of masculinity as he goes, to create collections fit for any modern day gentleman. Soar has ultimately produced collections which feel warm and familiar, those which have many overlapping memories and echoes from the past yet, at the same time still feel modern. Thankfully, this is a process that he continues for AW11 but this time, he offers a carefully crafted concept of a functional wardrobe where many of the styles are available for women. Despite being grounded in menswear, Him/She is as much for women as it is for men. The design talent has managed to strike a perfect balance between menswear and womenswear, masculine and feminine.
"It's not always about androgyny, but more about taking the density of menswear fabrics and textures and the construction of men's clothes and incorporating that into women's apparel. I've changed the process of the pattern, but tried to retain my masculine heritage."
Tim Soar speaking to Vogue.com
Susie and I were keen to explore and experiment with the collection and kindly, Soar agreed to loan us a few pieces. Over the course of five outfits, we each integrate one piece from the Him/She collection with items of our own wardrobe. I have to confess to feeling a bit like David before he took on Goliath because Susie's wardrobe dwarfs mine but we both manage to stamp our own style on each look. Without further ado, here is our Soar-off...
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The bomber jacket
Him: Discovered jumper, Comme des Garcons shirt, Albam trousers, Grenson boots. She: Vintage shirt, J.W. Anderson skirt, Prada brogues.
I love the jackets mix of influences, it is a hybrid of some many classics.
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Topcoat in heavy melton with bonded cotton sleeves
Him: WA Woods & Woods shirt, Bunney stud, Tim Soar jumper, Wooyoungmi trousers, Lodger boots. Her: Junya Watanabe frilled dress, Yves Saint Laurent sheer trousers, Miista ankle boots.
The moment I saw this piece at Soar's presentation in the Navy Board Room's I wanted it and now that I've slipped myself in to, the crush has developed in to all consuming love.
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The knit
Him: Wooyoungmi trench coat, Reiss trousers, bStore shoes. Her: Meadham Kirchhoff shorts, Zanita x Funkis clogs.
I love how the colour block of yellow has transformed this everyday knit in to something quite spectacular.
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The Velcro-waisted tuxedo trouser
Him: ASOS Black coat, Baartmans and Siegel shirt, Baartmans and Siegel x Grenson shoes. Her: Uniqlo oxford shirt, Aqua leather t-shirt, J. Lindeberg silk scarves, Dries Van Noten shoes.
I was a little apprehensive about the fit of these trousers but these negative thoughts soon evaporated the moment I saw my reflection in the mirror.
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Leather varsity jacket----------
Him: 3.1 Phillip Lim shirt, Bunney stud, Tim Soar trousers. Her: Vintage Gucci floral jacket, vintage skirt.
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During our dress up afternoon it soon became clear that Tim Soar's focus is on making each piece desirable in its own right, regardless of gender. Although, each piece has started in menswear and delicately evolved and great care has been taken to ensure a fit that is flattering, chic, feminine. Throughout Him/She, both sexes are happy and well dressed as they nod along to Soar's tune.
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