Norell’s family owned and operated a successful haberdashery, where he was exposed to menswear fabrics, cuts, and details from an early age. Like a number of leading designers, Norell began in the early 1940s to infuse women’s clothes with the practicality and aesthetics of menswear. Among the best examples of this masculine/feminine fusion are his coats. He used heavy woolens and large-scale plaids to craft double breasted-silhouettes, while regularly appropriating details such as back belts, functional buttonholes, and ample pockets.
Menswear Inspired
