Okay, it’s time I admit it: I like men’s fashion better. It started with a hoodie I “borrowed” and never gave back. Then came the pajama pants and soon after, I found a shirt in the wrong section at the mall. At one point, I even ended up with a matching pair of tennis shoes with my husband. Before I knew it, I wasn’t just browsing the men’s section for gifts, I was shopping there for myself.
As a woman, I’ve often found that women’s clothing can be, well, complicated. Too thin, too tight, too short or made for visual appeal over reliability. Sometimes, I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to put certain pieces on. Regular-length shirts are hard to find and the pants look great but don’t let you move. And don’t even get me started on the fake or shallow pockets. Ever heard the joke about women carrying ten things at once? That might’ve started with our pockets — or what they don’t hold.
Meanwhile, the men’s section offers options for comfort and logic: neutral colors, looser fits, thicker fabrics and real pockets with a depth I’ve never had before. Clothing makes sense now. Men’s clothing makes me feel like I can relax without worrying about what fits right where and how much I can hold in two hands.
That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy dressing up though. I still love a nicely fitted dress and a good pair of shoes to match (still flats over heels, every time). But other days, I want to throw on an oversized hoodie, a soft T-shirt and a pair of loose sweatpants and just call it a day. Men’s clothing gives me that option in a way women’s fashion rarely has.
It’s not that I’m against feminine clothing, I’m just shopping for what works best for me. So when I’m not in the mood for skinny jeans or animal prints, I know exactly where to look. The tag might say “men’s” But that comfortable fit has my name written all over it.