Selfridges taking the gender division out of shopping

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.

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.

11 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

This is so cool! I wish I could go there and see it in person, too bad it's such a short-term project.

I know that this wouldn't work for all clothing pieces and body types, but it's good to have as yet another option.

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?

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

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.

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!"

Hahaha!

11 years ago

SuzyQ2

Active Member

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.

11 years ago

Echo

Veteran

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.

This is an interesting experiment, but when I look at DH (6' 8" with HUGE shoulders and 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.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, what about fit? Are the size categories staying the same? Or does this mean only one body type (basically, model-shaped) will be properly served? Sounds like a step backwards rather than forwards.

11 years ago

Sal

Veteran

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.

I think clothing at the moment is very minimal and tending to the unisex - clean lines, looser fits, flat shoes. This trend carries across men's and women's fashion. A few years ago when clothes were more maximal there were more differences.

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. However my 12 (almost 13) 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. So he has women's trainers, athletic spikes, and even a ladies puffer. He knows but does not care.

11 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

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.

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

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.

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.

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.

11 years ago

Category