This is definitely not the first time women have looked to men’s closets for fashion inspiration. A sign of the I’m-so-broke times or just the resurgence of a former trend? Who’s to know.
Whereas the boyfriend blazer and boyfriend jeans were never really full-on trends until recently, the men’s shirt has definitely spent more than a few seasons in the fashion trend spotlight.
The classic white men’s shirt was one of my wardrobe staples in High School. Instead of purchasing the latest ‘camp shirt’ from Gap, I resourcefully raided the Land’s End basics from my dad’s closet.
Then, the styles were different (read: baggy), but the idea was the same–a woman in men’s clothing is…sexy.
Though he can’t be exclusively credited for the resurgence of the trend,
Alexander Wang and his Fall 2009 collection definitely gave women an idea of how sexy the oversized men’s shirt can be and inspired them to creatively incorporate it into their wardrobes.
Finding The Right Boyfriend Shirt
Though it’s true you can purchase fitted boyfriend shirts in your favorite women’s lines, most of those shirts are not the epitome of the trend.
Boyfriend Shirts should be:
Oversized
Boyfriend shirts should be a couple sizes larger than you would normally buy. They should hang a bit and be quite baggy. That being said, you don’t want a shirt that’s so big it falls off your shoulders.
Long
The main problem with menswear styles that are sold in the Women’s section is length. The boyfriend shirt style is LONG. It should hit below your butt so you can wear it as a tunic. Because of this, you’ll find that many Women’s lines are carrying button-up tunics this season. Opt for one of these if you intend to wear the style as a dress or with leggings.
How To Wear The Boyfriend Shirt
Unlike in my high school days, overall baggy is not stylish (was it really then?). To avoid looking frumpy and bag ladyish, complement your oversized shirt with fitted, tight bottoms.
With Leggings
Wearing a boyfriend shirt with leggings is an easy, effortless way to achieve the trend. To do this well, make sure your boyfriend shirt is below your butt (remember, leggings are NOT pants!). To polish the look, roll up the sleeves, accessorize with a few long necklaces and wear your favorite black stilettos.
With Skinnies
Similar to the leggings look, wearing a boyfriend shirt with skinny jeans is the perfect way to balance your oversized top with more fitted bottoms. Wear the shirt loose or belted at the low waist or hips. Polish by unbuttoning a few of the top buttons, wear a sexy tank underneath, accessorize with large bangles and embellished heels.
With a Pencil Skirt
To wear a boyfriend shirt with a pencil skirt, you will need a shirt that’s a bit more fitted. It also helps if the shirt isn’t terribly long since you don’t want your pencil skirt to look lumpy. To polish the look, unbutton and open the neck, roll up the sleeves, accessorize with classic jewelry such as pearls or a simple pendant and wear a pair of pointy-toed stilettos.
With Short Denim
For a more casual look, pair an oversized men’s shirt with short denim shorts or a skirt. The bottoms should be just an inch or so longer than the shirt. Wear the shirt loose or belt at the low waist. This is a great outfit for transitional weather. To wear during cooler months, wear tights under the denim. To polish this look, wear your favorite flats or a wedge heel. Accessorize with a bright beaded necklace and–go for it–a fedora.
Options
There are so many ways to wear the boyfriend shirt! The best way to start is to play dress up. Try your bf shirt in each of these ways. For each, see if your shirt looks better belted or loose. Play with the belt. Try it at your natural waist, then at the low waist and also on the hip. There are many options!
I’ve shown white men’s shirts here, but that doesn’t mean your boyfriend shirt has to be white! Adding men’s shirts to your wardrobe can be a great way to experiment with new pattern and color combinations.
Shopping for a Boyfriend Shirt
The best place to find a bf shirt is in a dude’s closet. If one of those isn’t handy or just won’t work, try a thrift or vintage store.
If you’re not fond of used clothes and really want to find the perfect fit, here are a few options.
What do you think? Are you a boyfriend shirt fan?
I’ve been wearing a pink camp shirt this Fall, but haven’t tried the boyfriend shirt trend in all its glory. Writing this post has made me realize what I’ve been missing. Husband’s closet, here I come!
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