What repels men?

NEW YORK CITY — Because recent fashion runways have been filled with MC Hammer pants, sheik-like turbans, Chewbacca jackets and furry boots, even studded, razor-sharp stilettos — observers ask: Do stylish women dress up for men?

Revolutionary designer Elsa Schiaparelli famously said, “Women dress alike all over the world; they dress to annoy other women.”

Believe me, nothing makes a fashionable woman’s heart go a-flutter as when girlfriends, frenemies or random chicks go up to her and say, “I love your outfit”.

Blogger Leandra Medine, 21, celebrates her passion for the kind of fashion loved by women but hated by a good number of straight men in her blog, “The Man Repeller.”

The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Lucky Magazine have featured Leandra Medine and her man-repelling style, which can be defined as a choice to outfit oneself in a sartorially offensive but fashion forward way.

One fine day, while shopping at Topshop, Medine recalls lamenting the state of her love life when her girlfriend pointed out: “You’re wearing a denim button-up with high-waist denim cut-offs and black suede flat booties.”

That evening, she started her blog.

Manrepeller.com is filled with Leandra’s hysterical take on trends, with entries ranging from her own interpretation of Martin Margiela’s paper dress and boots to reviewing the latest from Paris and New York Fashion Weeks.

She likes to share finds that would undoubtedly wow other women but appall men, thus calling them “man repeller” or MR.

She defines “man repeller” as outfitting one’s self in a sartorially offensive way, resulting in repelling members of the opposite sex.

Normal in front, not so in the back.

Leandra says her blog’s mission is to promote sartorial freedom. It has become a forum for women of various backgrounds who have a common interest in couture and are not afraid to show it.

Her style icons include Chloe Sevigny, Carrie Bradshaw, Alexa Chung, Miroslava Duma and Carine Roitfeld.

As for Leandra’s closet, it is filled with favorite MR designers such as Nicolas Ghesquière, Proenza Schouler, John Galliano, Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone and Phoebe Philo.

She is currently smitten with Jil Sander’s SS 2011 collection and says, “It’s unaffordable but a girl can dream.”

When quizzed as to what would make up her standard man-repelling outfit, she enthusiastically replies, “I would start with a floral-print turban on my head, leopard-print shoulder-padded blazer with a striped shirt underneath, and acid-wash drop crotch harem pants. I’d top the outfit with zebra print socks and open-toe metallic wedges.” 

Turbanned outfits worn two ways.

Leandra says an inherited velvet bolero her grandmother wore at her father’s wedding is her most “man repelling” ensemble. “It’s absolutely stunning and so huge; it has its own section in my closet.”

Clearly, her style is beyond the standard carbonara-and-iced tea girl kind of fashion we find in Manila.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Medine thinks men prefer tasteful outfits and proclaims that Hervé Leger is a “shoe-in.”

Some other “man magnet” favorites are Ralph Lauren and Oscar dela Renta — both top-of-mind brands that cater to women, yet are comprehensible to men.

With the success of Man Repeller, Leandra has already been featured in Harper’s Bazaar and the New York Times. She is set to style Kimberly Taylor’s Spring collection for New York Fashion Week, launch a partnership with designer Rachel Roy for a Valentine’s Day campaign, and join a fashion blogger spread in the March issue of Lucky.

Not bad for a blog that has only been around for less than a year.

So finally, do “man repellant” girls really repel men?

Leandra admits high fashion has an air of “unattractiveness” to men, but adds: “Men who are only attracted to what you wear are shallow, and you likely wouldn’t want to date someone like that anyway.”

We couldn’t agree more.