These Are The Top 10 Pieces You Should Be Buying From The Men’s Section

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Growing up, I envied my friends who had older sisters for one reason: hand-me-downs. Sometimes it seemed like half their wardrobes had been passed down (or pilfered) from a cool sibling’s closet. I got over my jealousy when I realized that I’d been ignoring a key source of borrowed duds — my younger brother had a wealth of tee shirts and sweaters that looked just as good on me.

Nowadays, I hit the men’s department myself for higher quality — and even less expensive — staples like tops, outerwear, and loungewear. After all, shopping in 2021 is way more about personal style than arbitrary gender distinctions — and who would say no to a warmer pair of sweatpants?

Here are ten items you should always be grabbing from the men’s section.

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Graphic Tees

Maybe you can’t resist sorting through the racks of super-soft vintage tee shirts at flea markets. Or perhaps you want to borrow everything Off-White founder Virgil Abloh has ever worn. Whether your style is more retro-inspired or streetwear-savvy, turn to the men’s section for a broader selection of eye-catching shirts.


Joggers

We’ve all increased our stock of sweatpants in the last year and a half. The best addition to my personal collection of comfy bottoms? A pair of fire-engine red Fruit of the Loom joggers in a men’s size small. Men’s sweatpants lean looser in the leg and often feature a weightier, extra-cozy knit.


Hats

On the first day of my college orientation, I caught the attention of several of my now-BFFs with an ironic baseball cap that read “Best Dad Ever.” Naturally, I scored the conversation starter in the men’s section. And quirky caps aren’t the only hats that are better when borrowed from the boys. They’ve also got a wider array of bucket hats, plus super warm, snug-fitting beanies with fewer bells and whistles.


Hoodies

Confession: there’s definitely a sweatshirt or two I stole from an ex still lurking somewhere in my closet. Time to ditch ’em and pick up a hoodie all my own from the men’s department, where I can choose from a vast selection of solid colors and get the thicker fabric and roomy fit without the bad vibes.


Denim Jackets

Ever don a denim jacket and have that I look cool feeling dimmed by the fact that you can’t really lift your arms? Me too, but I resist switching to stretchier styles because the quality just doesn’t feel as high. Solution? Men’s jean jackets, which feature more room in the shoulders as well as heavy-duty denim.


Button-Down Shirts

Easy, breezy, beautiful…button-down. Like linen or cotton shirts that aren’t nipped at the waist or pleated at the sides? Try the men’s department. I like them loose over bike shorts or tucked into light-wash denim à la Princess Diana.


Sweaters

I grew up in a desert and I’ve never seen a lighthouse IRL. That doesn’t mean I didn’t spend half my childhood longing for the toasty fisherman and Fair Isle sweaters filling the L.L. Bean catalogues that sometimes showed up in our mailbox (I read a lot of novels set in Maine). I’ve found that the chunky knits of my sailor dreams are best sourced in the men’s department, where cuts are a bit boxier.


Blazers

Fall’s almost here — and with it, we’re likely to see a return of the academia-inspired style beloved by cool teens on TikTok. Channel your inner Ivy League professor and top a turtleneck or shift dress with suave blazers from the men’s section, which offer an oversized fit without sacrificing sharp tailoring.


Coats

Cover anything — even athleisure — with a trench or wool coat and it instantly looks chic. Coats designed for men offer excellent tailoring, plus materials like wool and cashmere at prices that are often a bit lower than what we might pay for the same quality in the women’s department.


Watches

Two words: statement jewelry. Typically larger and heavier than watches designed for women, men’s timepieces come in a broad variety of styles. More traditional, leather-banded designs lend a certain gravitas to preppy outfits, while metallic timepieces look extra quirky with details like an ’80s-esque digital watch face or an unexpected color.

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What is the best menswear for women? What are your favorite pieces to shop for in the men’s section? Share with us in the comments!


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The 5 Ways I Style A Graphic Tee For Literally Every Occasion

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