A pinstripe suit, an oxford shirt, a stylish vest, a tweed jacket and well-cut trousers are not only sophisticated choices for men for this fall, they are also part of an elegant trend for women.

His has become hers this season, with many women's wear pieces being inspired by classic menswear.

Pairing masculine with feminine

"A big trend for fall '07 are menswear inspired design and fabric influences and interpreting them in a feminine way," said Michiel Roesdi, creative director for Steve & Barry's, which recently added a new line by Sarah Jessica Parker called BITTEN. "Several pieces in the BITTEN collection reflect this trend."

Some of the pieces include a tailored charcoal vest and blazer; trouser silhouettes in dress pants, jeans and chinos; and menswear inspired poplin and oxford shirts.

"Women can pair these masculine inspired items with feminine clothes in order to be trendy and stylish," Roesdi said.

For example, the charcoal vest could be worn with a skinny jean, or the suspender trouser pant in the collection could be paired with a form fitting, light weight turtle neck. A pinstripe woven shirt from the line would wear well with a fitted, ultra feminine skirt, Roesdi said.

Isaac Mizrahi's fall collection for Target also includes menswear-inspired pieces. Bootleg trousers and blazers in suede and tweed, classic white dress shirts with modern with extended cuffs; houndstooth knit vests and herringbone jackets, are just some of the traditionally male clothing items twisted with color and detail to make them chic feminine wear. Throughout Mizrahi's collection, standard pieces have been given a pop of that something extra to make them trendy.

The herringbone jacket is pink. A double-breasted pea coat is done in red. The white dress shirt has extended cuffs and detailed buttons. The collection pairs these pieces with ultra-feminine touches like bow-collar shirts, jeweled necklines, ruffles and pleats.

Pairing the male-inspired pieces with very flirty, feminine pieces is the key to the look, said Laura McDowell, TJ Maxx fashion spokesperson.

"A very popular look for the fall is a feminine blouse with a bow in the front," she said. "That with a pinstripe suit is the feminine take on menswear. If you want to go out and buy a menswear style suit, pair it with a feminine blouse."

Fabric inspiration, feminine interpretation

Much of the fall trend incorporates pieces that have a masculine fabric.

"It's a very feminine silhouette with a menswear pattern," McDowell said.

It is the style and cut of the menswear inspired pieces that makes all the difference. The jacket might be tweed, but it's curvy, perhaps with bell sleeves.

Even ultra-girly accessories like shoes and handbags are part of the look. The shoe may be plaid, but it's a Mary Jane with a pointy toe, McDowell said.

"Things that are popping are hounds tooth, pinstripes and menswear plaid," she said. "You might find a cape or trapeze coat that is a very feminine looking coat, but with a menswear pattern in hounds tooth or tweed."

The look is very wearable for everybody, McDowell said. However, she suggests women don't go too crazy with the season's choice of fabrics.

If your going to do a plaid shoe, use it as a pop of pattern with a more monochromatic outfit," she said. "You don't want too many patterns going on fighting each other."