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Man Up: Menswear with Patti Hansen

This fall, men’s suiting returns in a big way. Pinstripes, trousers and stacked lace-ups will amp your power look in a New York second. Former model Patti Hansen (wife of Keith Richards) shows us who really wears the pants this season

by Susan Swimmer • Fashion Features Editor

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Alpha Male

Patti Hansen was 16 years old when a modeling scout discovered her selling hot dogs at her father’s stand on Staten Island. The youngest of seven, Hansen longed for adventure, and this seemed like just the ticket. “I used to run away to Manhattan when I was 13,” Hansen says, laughing at the memory.

 

Hermes micro-tweed jacket and silk tie; hermes.com for stores. Theory cotton blend shirt; theory.com. Selima by V felt hat; selimahats.com.
patti hansen menswear image
Matthew Kristall

Low Rider

By her early twenties, Hansen’s life was a blur of international travel, posing and partying. She met Keith Richards at Studio 54 on her 23rd birthday and married him four years later. They have two children, Theodora, 27, and Alexandra, 26. “Marriage definitely gets easier over time,” Hansen says. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember why you got together in the first place. It’s a struggle, but it’s great when it works.”

 

Tip: What makes this suit sexy? Skinny pants, stiletto lace-ups.

 

Donna Karan New York wool jacket, wool pants, satin cummerbund and crocodile booties; donnakaran.com for stores. Paul Stuart silk pocket square; paulstuart.com. Gaspar Gloves leather gloves; gaspargloves.com.
patti hansen menswear image
Matthew Kristall

Ladies' Man

There have been other challenges. In 2007, when Hansen was 51, she was diagnosed with bladder cancer; months of chemotherapy and a complicated operation followed. “I just kept thinking, I’m healthy, I eat right, I don’t smoke, I do all the right things. I’m four years clean now. I go for checkups, and I stay really positive.”

 

 

Tip: Feminize a tuxedo by changing the jacket color to winter white.

 

Maison Martin Margiela polyester and wool blazer; 212-989-7612. Jean Paul Gaultier crepe trousers; Neiman Marcus, 888-888-4757. Panache lace bra; nordstrom.com. Aperlai for Peter Som leather and PVC pumps; femininrascal.com. Baume & Mercier stainless steel watch with alligator strap; baume-et-mercier​.com for stores. On Hansen’s left hand: Courts & Hackett and Aurora Lopez Mejia rings. On her right hand: Her own ring.
patti hansen menswear image
Matthew Kristall

Check Mate

Determined to move on, Hansen launched a line of handbags last year called Hung on U, slouchy in soft-as-butter leathers, mesh and exotic skins and sold on both HSN and HungonU.com. Although Hansen calls it “my little business thing,” she’s clearly enjoying the creative outlet.

 

Tip: A fur collar and a fitted vest give menswear’s plaid a ladylike appeal.

 

Michael Kors wool blend coat; michaelkors.com for stores. Adrienne Landau raccoon scarf; Bloomingdale’s, 800-555-7467. Hermes steel watch with alligator strap; hermes.com for stores. Courts & Hackett and Aurora Lopez Mejia rings.
patti hansen menswear image
Matthew Kristall

Suit Up

“Everything runs by so fast,” she says wistfully. “I’m happy watching my kids grow up, taking care of my dogs, digging in the dirt.” She trails off just for a moment, then says, “Now it’s about taking time. I’m trying to see what I can do with my life. I want to figure out which direction I want to take.

 

Ralph Lauren Collection cashmere jacket, cashmere pants, cashmere vest, silk pocket square and leather oxfords; ralphlauren.com.
patti hansen menswear image
Matthew Kristall

Banker's Trust

Tip: Modern means showing skin—no shirt, no hose.

 

Max Mara wool blend jacket and pants; 212-879-6100. Thom Browne New York leather oxfords; 212-633-1197. Camilla Dietz Bergeron 18k gold pocket watch; 212-794-9100. Patricia Underwood felt bowler; patriciaunderwood.com for stores.

 

Borrow from the boys with our hand-picked vintage cufflinks.

 

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patti hansen menswear image
Matthew Kristall

First Published Tue, 2012-08-07 11:08

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http://www.more.com/patti-hansen-menswear-style

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