Borrowed From the Boys | Gender Neutral Clothing Ideas

Fashion has always been about expressing yourself to the world, and that means wearing exactly what you want, when you want, regardless of whether your favourite styles are marketed for men or for women.

In recent years, it’s become clear that people don’t want to be governed by pre-conceived fashion norms, and building looks that cross the gender divide is one of the easiest ways to create unique, inclusive, and sustainable looks.

That’s why we’ve put together some inspiration on how our iconic men’s pieces can just as easily be styled into statement, oversized womenswear looks. From hitting-the-town to lowkey comfortwear, from sweater vests to boyfriend jeans, here are our best ‘Borrowed from the Boys’ looks for this summer and beyond.

Shirts

One of the pieces that most naturally lends itself to a stylish oversized look is a baggy shirt. It’s a capsule wardrobe staple that, as if by magic, offers a plethora of looks depending on how you style it.

They can be paired with shorts and trainers for a casual, summer-ready look, or just as easily paired with heels and high-waisted trousers for a more elevated outfit. For those chillier days, they can be styled with relaxed-fit, boyfriend jeans (more on these later…) to complete a look that will take you from brunch to the office, to date night, and beyond.

If you’re really looking to make a summertime statement, chuck on a structured jacket and necklace to really make your oversized shirt pop. Check out our button-down Oxford Shirt for a classic, smart-casual essential, or our Vertical Stripe Resort Shirt for an oversized fit that’s beach-ready and bursting with colour.

Sweats

Sweatshirts are another comfortwear essential with endless ways to style them. Whether you prefer a lowkey co-ord or a showstopping statement, our classic sweatshirts are a must-have for your oversized fits this summer.

Take our classic Crew Neck Sweatshirt, for example: pair it with anything from leggings to a maxi dress for an unforgettable casual look. Add some combat boots into the mix to maximise the outfit (bonus points if you pick a summer-ready pastel colour to offset the grungy footwear), or add in your favourite statement shades to transform the look.

If you lean towards the smarter side of smart-casual, try an oversized Cotton Merino Crew Neck layered with the aforementioned collared shirt. This makes for an inclusive but preppy look that, thanks to the relaxed fit that’s equally at home in the office or out for drinks.

Sweater vests

One of the most explosive trends for 2021 was the sweater vest, and it shows no signs of going away for 2022… perfect for layering, men’s sweater vests were made to be stolen for a bold, oversized look that will have you furnished all year round with inclusive, exclusive, and enviable outfits.

If preppy is your vibe, our Men’s V Neck Vest goes seamlessly with a tennis skirt and classic polo. Or, try it with a turtleneck for that elevated, courtside look. If you’re a wannabe 90s kid, try it alongside a plain T-shirt, like our Relaxed Pocket T-Shirt, boyfriend jeans, and our iconic Bucket Hat for a fit that screams Madchester rave and Britpop bangers.

The key with oversized sweater vests is colours and patterns: if you’re keeping things formal, then neutral and pastel colours are your best friend, but if you’re really looking to show the world who you are, be bold with bright colours, kitschy prints, and power patterns.

Polo shirts

There’s nothing more iconic, or more inclusive, than our Polo Shirt; another style that offers endless options, this is definitely one to borrow from the boys.

Button or unbuttoned, tucked or untucked, the most important thing to consider with an oversized polo is pairing. For summer, tailored shorts offer a cool, crisp, smarter look. These can easily be swapped in for our Sweat Shorts to add a more casual option to your capsule wardrobe.

Skirts offer similarly endless options. A long skirt gives you a dressier, best-of-both-worlds look that works for lounging by the pool, as well as gliding into drinks or dinner. A shorter, textured skirt gives you a unique and sophisticated look that can carry you seamlessly from day to evening.

But what a relaxed fit polo really begs to be paired with is boyfriend jeans. These are capsule wardrobe essentials that work with almost anything, but pair perfectly with our polos. Boyfriend jeans really do deserve all the hype they get: baggy through the leg and hugging at the hip, these are effortlessly cool, and create an elevated but casual polo look that works in almost any setting. Check out our range of Men’s Jeans here.

What’s next?

No matter your sense of style, an oversized look, borrowed from the boys, has a place in every woman’s wardrobe. Our classic silhouettes can be styled in myriad ways to have you ready for any setting and any season. The only limit is your imagination, so dare to be bold, dare to be you, and start building a wardrobe that’s as exciting as it is inclusive.

If you want to read more about getting ready for summer with these oversized, check out our What to Wear to a Festival post.

For tips on building a wardrobe that’s as sustainable and adaptable as it is inclusive, explore How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe below.