JOANNE Watkinson
Once upon a time, if I wanted a hoodie or a T-shirt with a slightly looser fit, it meant hoofing it over to menswear.
For too long women’s clothes veered towards slim-fitting. T-shirts were figure-hugging or ‘sprayon’, as I like to call them. No amount of ‘sizing up’ made the fit any better or the arm length any longer. Cap sleeves aren’t a good look on anyone!
Great crewnecks were reserved for the boys, and another pet hate was that women’s T-shirts and sportswear were too often – specially on the high street – emblazoned with a naff slogan about California or some disingenuous motto.
Menswear on the other hand, was sleek and simple with subtle logos.
Gradually the tide has turned and designers of womenswear have leaned into menswear styling, recognising that the shapes and fits previously reserved for males needed to be universal.
We are not just talking about square-cut T-shirts and loose hoodies. Quilted coats, gilets, puffa coats and fleece-lined jackets are all finally accessible in women’s sizes and these improvements can’t come a moment too soon. Especially as we brace ourselves for winter.
Taking menswear as womenswear is all about styling it up and making it our own.
Examples? Allow me. Chunky tread boots look great with jeans and track pants but just as good with a knitted dress or silky skirt, and while the boys are still wearing their quilted gilets to stay warm, we layer them over our leather trousers and polo necks. (Tip: long-length quilted gilets are much more versatile than a croppedto-the-waist style).
My personal favourite is tailoring – men’s suiting. We have long been stealing their blazers to achieve that over-sized look, but this season we are taking the whole suit.
Models Emily Ratjakowski, pictured, and Kendall Jenner have both been seen wearing vintage men’s two-pieces.
Emrat (as she’s known on Instagram) went signature glam, pairing hers with just a gold chain and heels, while Kendall kept it casual, layering with a simple T-shirt and black jeans and looked just as good.
Buying menswear is a bit like buying vintage – ignore the size. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll be a small men’s, as the clothes aren’t cut for curves. Size up, try it on, see how you like the fit. You won’t look back.