Boyfriends are fab, but will they stick around

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Boyfriends are fab, but will they stick around

— by Angie

on February 10, 2010

Women have always borrowed items from the men in their lives, but at some point it actually became a fashion trend. We saw some of this in the 80’s, when we were literally borrowing tops and jackets from our fathers, brothers and boyfriends.

In the last few years the trend returned along with the 80’s revival, and this time it got a name. We started hearing about…

These items are still very much in style, which means that they are more than just a fad. But are they here to stay? So far, the only “boyfriend inspired” item I can think of with real longevity is the oversized, masculine watch.

Do you think any of the others will become a mainstream basic? Are you wearing boyfriend inspired items?

Casual Wear

21 comments · Add a comment

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I am wearing boyfriend jeans to lounge, a boyfriend blazer smart casually but lace up oxfords all of the time, the style just appeals to me and has done since my first pair in the 90’s, I hope they are a forever trend for me?

February 10, 2010 at 1:59 pm

Joy

Veteran

I agree that these will probably not always be fashionable in their oversized version at least. I’m wearing long blazers with sleeves rolled to show the lining and long cardigans, but this time around both are a bit fitted rather than oversized and boxy. I may try the shirt if I can find the right one but will skip the boyfriend jean especially because it only seems to look good with heels. I’ve got the oversized, masculine watch and love it and have no intention of giving it up.

February 10, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Maya

Veteran

The amount of choice we have today is unprecedented, so it’s hard for me to say what will go in and out of style. That is what today’s fashion seems to be all about: giving lots of interpretations on one item. Which of those interpretations will last is anyone’s guess.

I always get the sense that the average person on the street doesn’t really get it when I’m wearing my boyfriend jacket. They probably think it actually IS my boyfriend’s jacket, or that it is too simply way too big for me. They might think *I’m* the one that doesn’t know anything about fit or style, otherwise how did I end up in this boxy jacket? Am I one of those people from What Not To Wear who hasn’t updated my wardrobe since 1986 (ok, I was 2 years old then, but you get the point)?

For this reason, I suspect all things boyfriend are not going to be an enduring trend. Trends that endure are those that cater to everyone–not just people who are serious about style. That is why skinny jeans have succeeded in breaking the trend barrier. It’s not just fashion forward, style-conscious fashionistas who wear them. “Regular” people like them too.

February 10, 2010 at 2:02 pm

Maya

Veteran

I guess I should clarify that my bf blazer is more authentic in how it fits compared to the fitted styles. It fits in the shoulders, but beyond that, it’s quite boxy and slouchy, which I happen to love. The fitted ones might gain more traction as they seem newer and more removed from their 80’s counterparts.

February 10, 2010 at 2:05 pm

Beth

Veteran

Like Joy, I’m wearing my BF blazer more fitted than the boxy, overlong blazers of my high school years. I think this makes it a much more versatile and long-lasting look.

I’ve passed by BF jeans and shirts, and many watches look oversized on my small wrist anyway!

February 10, 2010 at 2:25 pm

marianna

Veteran

I’m torn. For a while I was really enjoying my boyfriend cardigans, but now I haven’t worn them in months. I don’t know why. My boyfriend blazer doesn’t get as much wear as my more fitted blazers, either. For my personal wardrobe it seems like it was just a trend… and I don’t think these boyfriend items will become wardrobe staples.

February 10, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Louise

Veteran

I’m have a BF shirt, BF jacket and an oversized watch i hope they stick around a few more seasons so i can get the wear out of them x

February 10, 2010 at 2:41 pm

Pame

Active Member

Got the blazer…no jeans yet. Am thinking on the jeans…since I am an over forty gal. Guess the right ones…could be pulled off. Actually, I guess I’d just prefer the right boyfriend.

February 10, 2010 at 2:49 pm

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I never got a boyfriend blazer. It always seemed like a trend to me. I also think it is just not a style that would look good on me. I think they are cute on some because they are trendy, like much faddish clothing. I do not think the blazers will last, they do not look great on many women. Actually, I do not think any “boyfriend ” item will last. Oversized clothing looks great on willowy figures with the right attitude and style sense but for the great majority of women, I cannot see the trend sticking around. Watches- oversized- I love that look and the proportion on the wrist is so great! Interesting and flattering proportions will always be stylish. I guess that is why I think boyfriend clothing looks great on small frames- the contrast in proportion becomes interesting which is why models can wear burlap bags.

February 10, 2010 at 3:01 pm

Isabel

Veteran

I actually think that all have been around for a long time, but the terms we’ve used have not been “boyfriend”. I also think that at times it is more “in” that others.

The “boyfriend” sweater used to be called the grandfather sweater or the apres-ski sweater. The boyfriend shirt was just called an oversized shirt or menswear shirt or a beach cover up. My friend has been wearing men’s 501s for decades. You get the point. I have always had a longer pinstriped blazer in my wardrobe. I love them. I never realized what the trendy term was until I found this site.

So it may cycle in and out, but somewhere someone has incorporated these into their core look.

February 10, 2010 at 3:09 pm

Iris

Boyfriend cardigans are preferred by a vast amount of my 20s and under 20s friends, as they are much cuter and more figure flattering than normal cardigans. I only see normal cardigans used if worn with dresses, or if the person is an extremely conservative dresser, so the cardigan is definitely going to stay.

February 10, 2010 at 4:06 pm

S80

(website)

I wear my boyfriend cardigan alot ,don’t care about bf jeans .just bought a bf blazer for spring but it’s too cold to wear it yet.I think it’s just a trend but hope it’s there for a couple more seasons so I can get some wear out of it.I stocked up on shawl cardis too .wonder if that’s just a trend :o.. What do u think Angie ??

February 10, 2010 at 4:09 pm

Vani

I LOVE by BF blazer (which is slightly fitted) and wear it altogether a bit too often. I think that is because I do not see it as a lasting trend. Not many women seem to “get” the BF blazer, to Maya’s point. Boyfriend watches and cardigans are here to stay, I think. Even if the BF blazer goes out of style, I hope I will be able to continue to adapt it to the trends of the moment and break it out of the closet once in a while.

February 10, 2010 at 5:44 pm

All Women Stalker

(website)

Yep, they are just super comfy. Boyfriend jeans are great to style as well.

February 10, 2010 at 5:57 pm

Amy

(website)

Member

I love, love, love my boyfriend blazers and cardigans. I hope they stick around forever!

February 10, 2010 at 6:44 pm

Christina F.

Active Member

My dear parents gave me a beautiful oversized watch a few years ago and I will always wear it, regardless of trends. It is s/s, has nice heft and is a lovely and practical accent piece.

I bought two very long cardis (I suppose they’d be considered boyfriend style) and am wearing those quite often with leggings and flats — this seems sort of a classic style which I’ll wear even if they fall out of favor. I love the look of bf blazers and denim on others. I wore those items back in the 80s but those styles no longer appeal to me. I guess they remind me too much of my high school thrifting days — I had several bf blazers and a really cool military style jacket as well. I enjoyed vintage shops back then but wouldn’t go there now. I’m just in a new phase of life and just want to keep looking (fashion) forward. I would do a crisp white oversized shirt (is that bf?), if I could find one I like.

February 10, 2010 at 9:16 pm

stephanie

I’m guessing boyfriend jeans will stay. Everything else will go out of style.

February 10, 2010 at 10:15 pm

Sabrina

(website)

I love boyfriend cardigans, but I’m not yet sold on the boyfriend blazer (not a structured jacket girl in general), but I love them on others. I also don’t wear pants very often (except leggings and very comfy skinny jeans), but I have been known to snag the boyfriend’s pants every so often (they look better on him, but not terrible on me).
I would love to try on the menswear inspired shoes. I see adorable oxfords and brogues everywhere, but I’ve found so far that the ones I like (and are comfortable) are sometimes a bit out of my price range. Perhaps when more sales kick in?
Great post, as usual.

February 11, 2010 at 12:41 am

gina

(website)

Never got into the boyfriend jeans, but I love boyfriend blazers and sweaters. Don’t know if this look will stick for a while or not, but I’m enjoying it while it’s here.

February 11, 2010 at 9:01 am

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I have one pair of super-casual boyfriend jeans that I might wear again this summer if they fit again, but I’m not going to get another. Boyfriend blazers have yet to work for me.

I do ADORE the boyfriend cardigan and think it will remain an essential part of my wardrobe for a long while; it’s a style that fits my body shape extremely well, and as someone else mentioned it’s been around for many seasons under other names. I think that will continue.

February 12, 2010 at 3:38 am

medusa

Veteran

A sort of meta-comment: I wish the “boyfriend” label would be retired. I’m not a fan of jargon when a simple descriptive name would work – calling a jacket an “oversized jacket” is clear. Calling it a “boyfriend jacket” just makes things more confusing to those outside the fashion club.

August 5, 2010 at 6:43 pm

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