https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 03:40:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444765 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 05:47:46 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1444765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have the link anymore, but recently I read about a fairly new clothing company, selling online, that catered to those that wanted to wear traditionally masculine clothing but had the fit issues of women's bodies - either women who wanted to dress in an androgynous or masculine way, or FTM trans folks who wanted to dress as men. I thought it was a pretty clever niche market and I'd definitely buy something from them if they made high quality tailored stuff that would fit me.</p> <p>I'm tall enough to wear men's clothes, but way too curvy for most things. The proportions of different parts of the body are just different on men and women - even though obviously every individual person will fall somewhere different on the continuum. My DH, who does have a long torso even for a guy, is 10 inches taller than me and we wear the same inseam length in jeans.</p> <p>I can wear men's shoes, and I should probably start doing that more again. I've had several pairs of men's Vans, as well as various brands of work boots. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444750 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:45:02 +0000 CocoLion 1444750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Echo. At 5'4" with curves and small shoulders, I have enough trouble fitting into women's clothes. A slim not overly tall male without broad shoulders or very muscular arms -- or a tall slim IT woman - will fit unisex clothes best. A bigger guy like my SO, he's not fat but his shoulders are too broad for this type of sizing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444695 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:07:28 +0000 Sal 1444695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been thinking about a wee bit of shopping in the men's department as the quality can be very good, and the jeans can work well on me.</p> <p>I think clothing at the moment is very minimal and tending to the unisex - clean lines, looser fits, flat shoes. &nbsp;This trend carries across men's and women's fashion. &nbsp;A few years ago when clothes were more maximal there were more differences.</p> <p>Whilst I know plenty of women who would be happy to shop in the men's areas I don't know as many men who would shop in the women's. &nbsp;However my 12 (almost 13) &nbsp;lean son who is yet to hit the teenage growth spurt struggles to find clothes to fit him, even XS Men can be too big. &nbsp;So he has women's trainers, athletic spikes, and even a ladies puffer. &nbsp;He knows but does not care.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444690 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 23:51:11 +0000 Anonymous 1444690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, what about fit? Are the size categories staying the same?&nbsp;Or does this mean only one body type (basically, model-shaped)&nbsp;will be properly&nbsp;served? Sounds like a step backwards rather than forwards.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444683 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 23:35:31 +0000 Echo 1444683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I shopped for jeans in the men's department when I was in my early 20's, but I also agree with rachylou. The average breadth of a man's shoulders, the lack of a chest, the narrower hips and (generally) taller stature make many pieces of clothing unwearable by women unless they want oversized, shapeless pieces. I DO agree that men's clothing is often thicker and seemingly better made, but that doesn't overcome the fit issues for women who aren't rectangular or apple/IT shapes. Additionally, many times men's pieces aren't made small enough for women, adding to the shapeless situation.</p> <p>This is an interesting experiment, but when I look at DH (6' 8" with HUGE shoulders and &nbsp;the stereotypical man's shape with skinny legs and no hips/bum) and at me (5' 2" with an hourglass and noticeably thicker/shapelier legs, if much, much shorter!), I just can't see this working very well.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444548 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 18:52:45 +0000 SuzyQ2 1444548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have always shopped the menswear department. I prefer the jeans, no spandex and deeper front pockets. I can always find a sweater or two with long sleeves, not the 3/4 length found in the women's section. The T-shirts are thicker so I don't need the addition of a cami or tank in the hot summer months. It's definitely a roomier style and not for everyone but it works for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444536 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 18:30:55 +0000 rachylou 1444536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's interesting. Men's and women's bodies really do have some gross differences; so when it comes to tailored clothing, that's not a cross-over situation.</p> <p>On the other hand, I'm reminded of this story I once read: This guy travels back in time to save the princess asleep in a forest, waiting for true love's kiss. Only problem - clothes can't travel with. He arrives, she's awakened, and then she promptly refuses to lend him her scarf to cover up - because "no real man would wear women's clothing." And he's all - "It's a square piece of cloth already! And it's freeking cold!"</p> <p>Hahaha! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444455 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 15:42:39 +0000 K.M. 1444455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so cool! I wish I could go there and see it in person, too bad it's such a short-term project. </p> <p>I know that this wouldn't work for all clothing pieces and body types, but it's good to have as yet another option. </p> <p>I remember meanswear being all the rage in the late 80s and early 90s. At least in Brazil: oversized v-neck sweaters; shirts; vests; oxford shoes; and also silk men's underwear (boxers) worn as dressy shorts. Some people got those in the men's department, but soon clothes retailers started to make female versions. I seem to remember women wearing ties too? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444436 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 15:02:15 +0000 Janet 1444436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, Thistle -- I have a friend (female) who loves to shop in the men's department for sweaters, big shirts, etc., and the quality is often far superior. </p> <p>I think this is an interesting project for examining gender and stereotypes, and I hope to see future coverage in how it is received by the public. I'd love to see it in person. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444415 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:33:44 +0000 Thistle 1444415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting.&nbsp; For me, the purchase of men's clothing was less about gender nreutrality, and more about quality and functionality. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/selfridges-taking-the-gender-division-out-of-shopping#post-1444413 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:31:50 +0000 Janet 1444413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Recently there was a thread about shopping in the men's department. I thought this was very interesting. </p> <p><a href="http://groundswell.org/gender-fluidity/" rel="nofollow">http://groundswell.org/gender-fluidity/</a> </p>