https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:48:54 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1439158 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 11:29:14 +0000 Dimity 1439158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! I love men's knitwear, oversized and comfy. Shirts can sometimes be a bit narrow on the hips for me, but I buy them really big at the op shop to overcome this. Sometimes I take the collar off for a mandarin style look. Men's shoes are great if you can get them small enough; I love oxfords and brogues. I've had men's jeans too, with a couple of darts at the waist or worn low on the hips. My husband is on permanent standby lest his clothes drift to my side of the closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1439153 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 11:16:20 +0000 approprio 1439153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I do this a lot.&nbsp;I'm tall, broad shouldered and I have chunky feet, so it&nbsp;all pretty much works for me.&nbsp;The only thing I need to look out for is fit through the bust on fitted jackets but that's a problem I have&nbsp;with womenswear too.</p> <p>I'm quite used to things buttoning up&nbsp;the wrong way by now.&nbsp;I have coats, jackets, waistcoats, sweaters, shirts, t-shirts, jeans, footwear and hats all from the mens' department.&nbsp;I shop Mr Edge's closet too&nbsp;(he's not much taller than I am&nbsp;and of relatively slim build) which has led to disputed ownership of&nbsp;certain items of clothing.</p> <p>Everyone knows the quality on menswear is better for the same price, and androgynous is definitely part of my style. It's fun to play with, from all out "soft butch" to a feminine look with&nbsp;menswear flourishes.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1439116 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 06:42:51 +0000 Sharon 1439116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have thought about this, and really, I am the right shape for it, but I think having the buttons on the wrong side might do my head in. Does this worry anyone who buys men's button-front shirts? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1439094 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 04:12:42 +0000 karymk 1439094@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh yes I do it often Carla! At Uniqlo Inlike the men's V neck merino sweaters and the means shirts. At GAP my favorite men's shirt is the Lived In Shirt. </p> <p>I started with this men's dept biz when I was in high school and got my first pair of Levi's 501s. I have an authentic Australian prep school blazer from my friend's son. </p> <p>If you have a boyish figure you find these menswear looks suit you well. Feminine as you will! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438950 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 00:26:38 +0000 K.M. 1438950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Runcarla, "Gentlewoman" is funny! I hadn't heard that one. I love Robin Wright's wardrobe and look in House of Cards. </p> <p>I've never shopped the men's department directly for me, though in the late 80s I wore a couple of sweaters from my dad. But I do sometimes get boys clothes for my daughter (she's 4). I find the gender division sometimes funny at that age (I'm definitely not a fan of the ultra-girly stuff with tutu skirts, rhinestones, and bows), and I also find that some of the boys' items are actually more interesting (I spotted some cable crewnecks at Target that were lovely). </p> <p>Reminds me of an article I read sometime ago about how in the 70s children's wear was supposed to be unisex, for so many reasons. Not that I would want this as the only option, but right now the gendering is sooo strong and not just for clothes (there's a whole discussion on gendered Legos of all things).</p> <p>But I digress! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438934 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 00:01:25 +0000 Suz 1438934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yup. I definitely do it. Not frequently, but with delight.&nbsp;</p> <p>At the moment I own one shirt from the boys' department and one sweater from J. Crew men's. Oh -- and an old cashmere sweater that used to belong to Mr. Suz.&nbsp;</p> <p>The boys' section is often a better bet for me than men's -- but not invariably.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438924 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:46:10 +0000 Carla 1438924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Merwoman, I'm tweaking my style a bit inspired by Saskia de Brauw's look and Robin Wright's 'House of Cards' wardrobe. I've seen it called 'Gentlewoman'. After Shiny's post about borrowing her husband's tie, I started wondering if pilfering from the boys might be in order!</p> <p>In my 20's I wore a men's overcoat (with questionable success.) Shirts and sweaters from the men's department fit my shoulders better than women's wear as do t-shirts, but sometimes they taper too much and are tight around the hips. I inherited a pair of orangey-rust coloured jeans when DS outgrew them, and wore them into the ground! A pale blue button down came from DS as well. Currently a purple sweater, a fave gear fleece and socks are all I have from the men's dept! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438921 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:40:19 +0000 Caro in Oz 1438921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pants &amp; shoes mainly. Also hats because a lot of womens hats are too small. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438907 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:16:45 +0000 ma342 1438907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A wool sweater and a sweatshirt--not coincidentally, these are the two warmest non-outerwear clothing items I own. I wear them to stay warm in my incredibly drafty apartment or for casual wear on arctic days--not to look cute or stylish. I wish it were easier to find women's sweaters/sweatshirts this heavyweight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438879 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 22:11:51 +0000 cjh 1438879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Two thick thermal knit shirts I wear at home in winter are the best. They are men's small. The sleeves and hem are long enough to cover wrists and keep me warm. The slim cut and a bit higher crew neck are comfy layering under fleece jackets or vests.</p> <p>I've tried boy's button up shirts but if they are slim enough in the waist, they are too tight across the chest and short in the sleeves.</p> <p>Converse tennis, but they have sizes for women on the label, so that probablyl doesn't count.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438809 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 20:16:45 +0000 crutcher 1438809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i havn't had a lot of success shopping in the guy's side but when I did have luck it was great...I did buy the beanie from Nordie's men's department that I adore...I do keep trying...Very appealing idea...</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438760 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:57:34 +0000 Aziraphale 1438760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ahahaaa I would do this all the time if I were bigger. I love the fabrics, textures and above all <i>colours</i>&nbsp;they use for menswear, but I'm a 5'1" pixie, so men's garments&nbsp;are always too big. Except belts. Most of my belts are men's or unisex. :-)</p> <p>I have had success shopping in the boys' department on occasion. One time I bought an argyle sweater vest from Hanna Andersson, and it's great. I wanted the v-neck and looser fit of a men's vest. I already had a woman's shell vest, which is a finer gauge knit and more form-fitting -- also great, but a totally different look.</p> <p>Things like trousers don't really work, of course, because I'm shaped like a woman, not a 12-year-old boy. :-)</p> <p>Oh, I thought of something else. My one scarf (which I wear in the winter for warmth) is from Harry Rosen and it's grey and black plaid. I love it. Women's wool scarves are usually too "pretty" for my taste.</p> <p>And lastly, I wear converse sneakers, but I don't know if this counts, because they are unisex. They started out as men's fashion, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438758 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:56:57 +0000 merwoman 1438758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my twenties I routinely purchased shirts and a few ties. Loved them. Recently I've&nbsp;&nbsp;purchased belts and had them resized by the shoe repair guy.</p> <p>What have you got your eye on....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438749 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:40:35 +0000 carter 1438749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Belts, oversize cozy flannel shirts for lounging, and watches can be fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438745 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:33:24 +0000 AJ 1438745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have bought button downs from the boys' dept. I wear them frequently.</p> <p>I've tried on guy shorts and pants, but the extra fabric in the crotch always prevents me from buying. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438741 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:30:40 +0000 rachylou 1438741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I won't say all the time... but all the time, lol. Sneakers for sure. Stolen *dad* sweaters. Waist coats. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/borrowed-from-the-boys-shopping-the-mens-dept#post-1438702 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 16:04:58 +0000 Carla 1438702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>...for yourself. Have you ever done it and how successful did the purchases work out? </p>