Androgynous trends come to the fore in current fashion

It has been an important year for women. Hillary Clinton was recently appointed Secretary of State, Sarah Palin had a true shot at becoming the first female Vice President, and most notably Britney Spears picked herself up, dusted herself off and successfully remade her image.

This past year, women shattered glass ceilings and broke into male-dominated industries like never before.

Fashion-industry icons have been designing with this notion in mind, and androgynous trends are at an all-time high. Androgyny is a recursive theme throughout fashion history, and male-inspired women's wear has recently become a staple in almost every female's wardrobe. Women are being seen sporting classic blazers, oversized sweaters and crisp button-up work-shirts everywhere I turn, so I am sharing with you my way of putting a feminine spin on this season's boyish trends.

First and foremost, whether you accept it or not, blazers have made a massive comeback. Blazers look fresh and tailored and, because of their clean cut, flatter almost every woman's body.

Back in the 60s, Yves Saint Laurent created the famous Le Smoking pantsuit for women, and the rest is history. Though shoulder pads gave the women's blazer a bad rap in the 80s, in this century no cocktail dress or crisp-white blouse is complete without one.

My suggestion? Search your boyfriends closet, any BCBG store, or even the boys' section of Bloomingdales (my sister did it and has outrageous personal style), and there is no doubt in my mind you will find a blazer with a width and length that suites you. As mentioned above, the most popular way to wear the blazer this season is over any micro-mini cocktail dress ala Lauren Conrad or Gwyneth Paltrow.

Though the blazer is a clean look, put an edgy spin on it by messily rolling up the sleeves or belting it at the waist to show off your shape. If you work hard for what you've got, flaunt it in a classy way; blazers may have a stigma of being reserved for conservative occasions, but that does not mean you can not make them look sexy. It is also freezing outside, so pairing a blazer with any going-out attire is a smart way to cover up and stay warm in the cold winter weather.

The second male-inspired look becoming popular this season is the oversized sweater. Everyone from Rachel Bilson to Victoria Beckham has been spotted wearing a version, and following this trend is a comfortable way to look chic.

Oversized sweaters are available in all textures and colors this season, my personal favorite being any button-up "grandpa" cardigan. Even if you are ultra girly, get creative and browse the men's section of quality stores like J.Crew. Fellow shoppers may shoot you some interesting looks, but more often than not you will find something that looks and feels fantastic. In this scenario, especially, never judge a garment by how it looks on the hanger. As always it can make a world of difference if you decide to actually try it on.

Stylists this season have been layering oversized sweaters with blouses, flannel button-ups, and thick waist-cinching belts in all different eclectic designs, and they have effortlessly thrown chunky buttonless knits over tanks and t-shirts galore. As with the blazer, roll up the sleeves of any oversized sweater; it will better tailor the fit of the garment to your body.

With the oversized-sweater trend, some find it difficult to avoid looking like bag lady Mary-Kate Olsen. Steer clear of looking too messy by avoiding overwhelming accessories like flowy scarves and chunky hats. Pair your oversized sweater with a form-fitting bottom-like jeans or leggings, and you will be good to go.

The last androgynous trend popular for women this season is the men's button-up work shirt. The button-up is currently popular in stores like J.Crew and H&M in warm flannel fabrics, and I love wearing any baggy work-shirt that is long enough with leggings and flat riding boots.

(Ahem… if you can see through the leggings do not wear them as pants, please). When wearing an oversized work-shirt, undo the top and bottom two buttons, pop the collar (yes, it is acceptable here), and as with most other androgynous looks this season, roll up your sleeves and look messy.

This trend is interesting because it puts a messy spin on a clean classic, and it is my go-to when I lack inspiration and suffer from the standard girl-syndrome of too many clothes but nothing to wear.

These androgynous trends work well in any wardrobe because they each portray a certain carefree image. Their loose-fitting and comfortable cuts will have you at ease everywhere you go, and they go along well with the fact that true style is making an effort, but looking effortless.