Style Tip: Shop the men’s section

I’m a creature of habit not just in the way that I dress, but in the way that I shop too; and one of my not-so-secret tricks that I fall back on when shopping for boxier silhouettes is to check out the men’s section.

Wearing Mate the Label tank (size S); J+ for Uniqlo men’s shacket (size M); Dr Denim moxy jeans (size AU8); Rag & Bone boots (size EU40); Chloe darryl tote

PERFECT IF YOU LOVE A BOXY FIT

The main reason I like to shop the men’s section is that it’s essentially a golden ticket to getting that intentionally boxy fit. My outfits are typically centred around creating balance through proportions, and as a long-time lover of skinny jeans, this means I look for a slouchy, oversized fit on my upper half. That desire to wear boxier fitting styles has really been amplified in the past twelve months, as I seek out a combination of comfort and style. I talked about intentional fit vs desired fit in a recent blog post, and this is definitely an example of the latter. Shopping the men’s section is my way of fulfilling that desire for boxy, oversized silhouettes, which are harder to find in the women’s section.

PRICES ARE OFTEN LOWER

One of the perks of shopping the men’s section? The prices also tend to be slightly lower. I could probably write ad nauseam about the “pink tax”, which it’s been documented to occur frequently in fashion, but I want to focus on a positive here. Sales. Not only do there tend to be more sizes available in the men’s section come sale time, generally the discounts are steeper too so retailers can shift stock. Safe to say it’s a win-win, as I usually keep an eye out not just for my wardrobe, but my husband’s, too.

YOU CAN SHOP YOUR PARTNER’S CLOSET

I’m definitely guilty of shopping my husband’s closet, and it’s served me well especially when we’ve been on holiday and I’ve forgotten a jacket or a sweater. That “boyfriend” fit tends to be quite popular, especially if your style mirrors those Scandinavian and Parisian style types.

YOUR OUTFITS WILL BE MORE UNIQUE

The fourth reason it can be fun to shop the men’s section? You can curate a wardrobe that is more unique. I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times I get asked about an item, only to share that I actually bought it from the men’s section! One of the things I love about style and fashion is that it allows you to create your own narrative in your external expression of self. And nothing like a bit of individuality to really stand out.