"The point is not to confuse others about your gender," he says. "Female characteristics should be revealed in details such as hairstyle, makeup and accessories."

Shang says loose shirts match tight trousers while tight shirts match loose trousers. Retro elements of menswear, including woolen textures, old boots, watches and cologne, can add their attraction.

Women properly dressed in men's styles can come across as "high-end, fashionable, independent and tasteful", he says.

"Female executives in menswear can also enhance their image as strong leaders."

But he suggests not following fashion blindly.

"The key is to learn about your own strengths and weaknesses and the surrounding environment and choose clothes that can help you be more confident."

Tina Wang, senior partner at consultancy Roland Berger China, says many factors overlap in the so-called female-male style. And the trend for women to be more spiritually and economically independent is expressed in the way they dress.