How to Build a Fashionable Wardrobe with Menswear Staples

By A Mystery Man Writer

How borrowing from the boys gave me the wardrobe I always dreamed of.
I can’t fully take credit for this discovery—Jenni Lee first told me about her devotion to Uniqlo’s men’s cashmere sweaters, and I have to say she is 100 percent right. There’s something about the proportion of the shoulders and the thickness of the fabric that gives you that perfect slim-cut drapey look. I bought an XS, but the sizing goes all the way down to XXS and up to a 3XL, so even if you have more of a chest, you can make the fit work for you. Highly recommended.
I’m still wearing shorts at home, despite the dropping temperatures (thank you, pandemic), but I absolutely love longline styles, and obviously men have a plethora of options. Swim trunks, jogging shorts—you name it, you can find a style that will fit you. Men’s waists are usually smaller on average, so just check the measurements depending on whether you want a high or low-rise fit. This electric-orange pair is just my latest obsession.
Aside from wanting to buy from Sies Marjan while you still can (tear), there’s something about men’s outerwear that just hits different. The construction is elegant and flattering without fail, and if you want that chic, oversize vibe that we always see French women wearing (with or without a belt), this classic camel trench deserves a spot in your wardrobe. I may have two like this one hanging in my closet already.
I don’t know about you, but few things make me feel sexier than an oversize white button-down with a *fancy* black lace bra underneath. And if you want that “I stole this from my lover” look, allow me to suggest this oxford. The texture is a little bit heavier than what you’ll find in women’s styles, which gives you that ideal drape, and it holds the shape around the collar throughout the day. Bonus—it’s much less see-through than what you’ll find in the women’s section, but, you know, not too much. You want to at least hint that you have on nice lingerie.