5 cool ways to incorporate Menswear in your wardrobe

Menswear for women was a big trend some seasons back. Do you remember it? I did not really get on board then. The reason was that the trend circled around androgynous looks. In my humble opinion, androgynous is not for everyone. It takes a certain body shape and more importantly, a certain attitude to pull it off. With my plus-sized curvy frame, I was not going to pull it off. It did, however, get me started on menswear and if I could incorporate it in my wardrobe. That resulted in this list.

Belts – Okay, is it just me or do you also feel that the belts in menswear aisles are much better than the ones in women’s sections? Especially if you are a plus-sized woman. Finding good quality, and cute belt that actually fit me was akin to chasing a unicorn. Even if I did succeed in finding one, it would disintegrate quickly. So I decided to ditch cute and girlie. Instead, I sought refuge in menswear to find something sturdy and long. It works for me especially because I also like classic buckles in black and brown. 

Casual Shirts – There is no disputing the comfort of track bottoms and a tee. But they did feel very nightwear-ish. To convert these into loungewear, I throw on shirts on top of the outfit, instantly elevating it. Why men’s shirts? Because women’s shirts are differently cut. I find the straight cut of the men’s shirt more roomy and more accommodating for plus-sized bodies. Another benefit of men’s shirts is that they tend to be longer. When I go up a size, the shirts end on my upper thigh. This works best for a casual look as it does not end at the widest part of my body. Also, since I feel a bit awkward in openly shopping in the men’s section, I usually end up ordering men casual shirts online. Thankfully, menswear has same sizes across brands so I just need to choose the patterns and do not need to try every piece before buying. I am partial to vertical stripes for the lengthening they provide and checks because I think they look cool. I had a lumberjack shirt in beige as a twin which was skimmed off my dad’s wardrobe. I literally wore it to tatters.

Waistcoats – Ladies, look deep into the wardrobes of your dads, uncles and even fathers in law. Do they have any three-piece suits from the 70s? If yes, you have hit a jackpot. Those waistcoats make excellent layering pieces over formal shirts and trousers, shirts and pleated skirts (a-la Meghan Markle recently. Did you see that crisp white formal shirt and razor-sharp pleats on her skirt?) and even an ethnic long skirt with a fitted tee. 

Nehru jackets – Ditch that dupatta and layer a Nehru jacket over your kurtas. My tip? Go down a size. A smaller jacket that does not actually close and sits more like a shrug looks best in my opinion. Just pair this with a Kolhapuri chappal, a pair of leggings or palazzos and you have a chic look with a very desi vibe.

Brogues – Those wingtips and perforations make for such cool shoes. Don’t they? Now there are very few options available in women’s wear but you will find plenty in the men’s section. From classic tan to burgundy, take your pic and sport with jeans or even knee-length skirts.

Do you like these suggestions? How do you incorporate menswear into your outfits?

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