Gender Bending Fall Fashions

Suits and bowties for women? Pink and purple hues for men?

Oversized leather bags for men? Oversized expensive watches for women?

Forbes.com recently published an article featuring new fashion trends for the Fall of 08 and how they blurred the lines between genders. Giving a little history, the article mentions "while women's clothing began adopting masculine undertones in the 1920s, such details are at the forefront of many designers' fall lines. [Karl] Lagerfeld and Carolina Herrera incorporated bow ties into their womenswear collections, while Smith, Gianfranco Ferre and Costume National created women's suits with flat-front pants, stiff, white, collared shirts and pinstripes."

They also mention how men can mix it up. The trends "include bags, and not just the over-the-shoulder messenger styles, says Mercedes Gonzalez, director at Global Purchasing Companies, a full-service buying office that plans and implements retail strategies for merchants and designers."

Something that really interested me was a caption underneath a photo of a woman wearing a suit. The caption read: "A classic crisp, white collared shirt and pleated pants scream menswear. As more women climb the corporate ladder, they need a wardrobe that matches their success."

• What does this mean? Why does menswear = success?

Another caption bothered me as well. It was under a photo of a watch: "Even when it comes to accessories such as watches, women are attracted to more masculine styles. Men's watches reflect a bold style and exude confidence," he says. "It's like wearing an oversized handbag. It's a reflection of her style."

• How does men's style = boldness and confidence?
• What can women do to exude confidence and boldness without being "masculine"?