I guess we've all raided our boyfriend's wardrobe at some point in our lives. In the past, it was mostly to find those old, worn-out but oh-so-comfortable pieces that we liked to snuggle up in on a rainy day at home.

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.
Collage


K.I.N (i.e. Know it Nothing) is another local start-up that has caught my eye. The barely two-year-old shop in Haji Lane carries a number of apparel: footwear and accessories lines from all over the world, including the ever-popular Vans and Wood Wood from Denmark. K.I.N is also preparing for the launch of its first in-house label. While the clothes may be a little difficult to adapt for women, the Moscot eyewear it carries are lust-worthy.

Accessories are a great way to inject moderate doses of boyishness into your outfits. Shoes, for one, are largely idiot-proof. Besides, swapping your heels for sneakers will give your knees a much needed rest. For this transition, I recommend canvas sneakers. Opt for the colourful and chirpy prints of Keep sneakers; these fit smaller-sized feet without adding unnecessary bulk. Get yours from Rockstar by Soon Lee.

The key to stealing from the boys is contrast and balance. Dressing head to toe in menswear will never be as fun or interesting as making the effort to weave suitable masculine elements into an otherwise girlie ensemble.

Have a fabulous time shopping on the other side!

xoxo
Dottie

Shopping guide

Collage
Address: 8 Grange Road, Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, #03-07

White Room
Address: 37 Haji Lane
Tel: 62971280

Soon Lee
Address: 8 Grange Road, Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, #03-08
Tel: 6836 8201

VOL.TA
Address: 2 Handy Road, The Cathay #02-09
Tel: 68365718


Read also:
Fashion Nation: The best of blogshops
Local Designers: Know It Nothing

Stephie & Dottie
Stephie & Dottie are the girls behind Fashion Nation, a high profile blog featuring their adventures in the realm of fashion and retail in Singapore. Catch a glimpse of their worlds on inSing.com every Wednesday.