However, with the return of androgyny (it's almost an eternal recurrence!) and the rise of metrosexuality, ladies can now dress up in men's clothes without having their sexual orientation questioned.
Trends aside, I really like menswear for practical reasons. I lack womanly curves and being petite, I find items from the men's department fit me surprisingly well - in a slightly oversized kind of way. If fashion is about playing dress up and experimenting, having fun with menswear may be the ultimate sartorial game.
I started making a conscious effort to hunt down menswear that would work on me about a year ago. Since then, I have
collected a short list of favourite haunts for menswear. Whether you're a man or a woman, this list is going to be useful for you. Just think about the extra mileage you can get when you share these clothes with your other half!What first got me interested in menswear was the humble white t-shirt. It is incredibly versatile, perfect for layering under a jacket, over a dress or just worn on its own. For such purposes, the readily available men's undershirt is very suitable. I put a few brands to the test, and Byford came up tops for its durability and comfort. At about $5 a pop (cheaper during sales), it is very affordable as well.
For a wider selection of basics beyond the plain tee, I love VOL.TA's basic collection featuring pocket and Y-neck details. The ultra-soft material is a real joy; feel free to throw these into the washing machine because they will definitely stay in shape. Recently, an extra-small (XS) sizing with a tighter fit was introduced, which will undoubtedly please its female fans. In addition to its excellent range of basic wear, this locally designed label offers well-tailored shirts, cleverly constructed outerwear and pants. The shop also stocks a good range of accessories, including bags, hats and footwear.
When picking out menswear, the fit is very important because the last thing you'll want is to look sloppy in clothes that are too big (in an unflattering way). As women are generally of a smaller built, I've learnt to look for menswear labels that design for the smaller Asian frame. In particular, I find it easiest to buy from Japanese brands. It also doesn't hurt that I adore their minimalist, no fuss aesthetics. Muji's crisp organic cotton shirts and UNIQLO's quality knitwear come in girl-friendly sizes. Few things excite me more than discovering home-grown talent in the Singaporean fashion design and retail industry. Surprisingly, the few that I like are young menswear labels.
Last year, I attended a fashion show by Furrmuse, a menswear line created by a team of young designers. More recently, I started taking notice of this line again for its wearable, non-generic designs that seem to pay a lot of attention to detail. I am especially drawn to the jackets, which are light-weight with lean silhouettes. When I tried them on (in the smallest size of course), I could hardly believe that they were made for men! Needless to say, I'm sold. The label is currently housed at Collage and White Room.