Borrowed From The Boys
Fashion has always been about expressing yourself to the world. That means wearing exactly what you want, when you want, regardless of whether your favourite styles are marketed for men or for women.
In recent years, it’s become clear that people don’t want to be governed by pre-conceived fashion norms, and building looks that cross the gender divide is one of the easiest ways to create unique, inclusive, and sustainable looks.
That’s why we’ve put together some inspiration on how our iconic men’s pieces can just as easily be styled into statement, oversized womenswear looks.
From hitting the town to lowkey comfortwear, from sweater vests to boyfriend jeans, here are our best ‘Borrowed from the Boys’ looks for this summer and beyond.
Shirts
A baggy shirt is one of the pieces that most naturally lends itself to a stylish oversized look. It’s a capsule wardrobe staple that offers a plethora of looks depending on how you style it.
They can be paired with shorts and trainers for a casual, summer-ready look, or just as easily paired with heels and high-waisted trousers for a more elevated outfit. For chillier days, they can be styled with relaxed-fit, boyfriend jeans (more on these later…) to complete a look that will take you from brunch to the office, date night, and beyond.
If you’re really looking to make a summertime statement, chuck on a structured jacket and necklace to really make your oversized shirt pop. Check out our button-down Oxford Shirt for a classic, smart-casual essential, or our Sunbeam Grid Shirt for an oversized fit that’s bursting with colour.
Sweats
Sweatshirts are another comfortwear essential with endless ways to style. Whether you prefer a lowkey co-ord or a showstopping statement, our classic sweatshirts are a must-have for your oversized fits this summer.
Take our classic Crew Neck Sweatshirt, for example: pair it with anything from leggings to a maxi dress for an unforgettable casual look. Add some combat boots into the mix to maximise the outfit (bonus points if you pick a summer-ready pastel colour to offset the grungy footwear).
Add in your favourite statement shades to transform the look.
If you lean towards the smarter side of smart-casual, try an oversized Cotton Merino Crew Neck layered with the aforementioned collared shirt. This makes for an inclusive but preppy look thanks to the relaxed fit that’s equally at home in the office or out for drinks.
Sweater Vest
One of the most explosive trends in 2022 was the sweater vest, and it shows no signs of going away for 2023…
Perfect for layering, men’s sweater vests were made to be stolen for a bold, oversized look that will have you furnished all year round with inclusive, exclusive, and enviable outfits.
If preppy is your vibe, our Men’s Cotton Crew Neck Vest goes seamlessly with a tennis skirt and classic polo. Try it with a turtleneck for that elevated, courtside look.
If you’re a wannabe 90s kid, try it alongside a Plain White Tee, boyfriend jeans, and the iconic Lyle & Scott Bucket Hat for a fit that screams Madchester rave and Britpop bangers.
Colours and patterns are key with oversized sweater vests: if you’re keeping things formal, then neutral and pastel colours are your best friend. If you’re really looking to show the world who you are, be bold with bright colours, kitschy prints, and power patterns.
Polo Shirts
There’s nothing more iconic, or more inclusive, than a Lyle & Scott Polo Shirt; another style that offers endless options, this is definitely one to borrow from the boys.
Button or unbuttoned, tucked or untucked, the most important thing to consider with an oversized polo is pairing. For summer, tailored shorts offer a cool, crisp, smarter look. These can easily be swapped in for our Sweat Shorts to add a more casual option to your capsule wardrobe.
Skirts offer similarly endless options. A long skirt gives you a dressier, best-of-both-worlds look that works for lounging by the pool and gliding into drinks or dinner.
A shorter, textured skirt gives you a unique and sophisticated look that can carry you seamlessly from day to evening.
But what a relaxed fit polo really begs to be paired with is boyfriend jeans. These are a capsule wardrobe essential that work with almost anything but pair perfectly with our polos.
Boyfriend jeans really do deserve all the hype they get: baggy through the leg and hugging at the hip, these are effortlessly cool and create an elevated but casual polo look that works in almost any setting. Check out our Men’s Jeans here.
What’s Next?
No matter your sense of style, an oversized look, borrowed from the boys, has a place in every woman’s wardrobe. These classic Lyle & Scott silhouettes can be styled in myriad ways to have you ready for any setting and any season. The only limit is your imagination, so dare to be bold, dare to be you, and start building a wardrobe that’s as exciting as it is inclusive.
For tips on building a wardrobe that’s as sustainable and adaptable as it is inclusive, try our How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe post.
And if you want to really make an oversized statement, check out our collaborations with Oi Polloi, Panini, and Golfickers.