Girls look like boys look like girls

As I was checking out today's library trends-plaid shirts and oversized jumpers-it got me thinking about cross-functional fashion. Gone are the days when womenswear and menswear were two completely distinct categories; in today's society of increased acceptance and toleration I would like to think that the social stigma of wearing clothes designated for the opposite sex has disappeared or at least lessened considerably. Admittedly women wearing men's clothes has a slightly different signified meaning than when men wear women's clothes, it is further evidence that contrary to our belief that we may live in a completely liberal society this is not yet completely true. A woman in trousers used to be a feminist statement asserting a strong belief in gender equality. Today, although this political statement may not be so resonant, a woman wearing trousers (and I'm excluding jeans from this argument) is still an emblem of defiance-we no longer need to wear prissy dresses or flouncy skirts to emphasise our status as women, or accede to our given status as the inferior sex whose place is within the household making and caring for babies. Women can dress however they like.
Nevertheless, much as I would like to think that our choice of clothing is sometimes more than just aesthetic, I don't think that within the confines of student-ville the adoption of 'men's' clothing is a particularly intellectually influenced choice. Put simply, guys clothes are just far more comfortable than girls- they are not designed to create a certain body shape or reveal a particular body area in its most flattering aspect-they are easy, not try-hard. Then there is the obvious positive point that if you have stolen your menswear item from an actual guy it has that amazing smell that is a seriously appealing mix of men's aftershave and natural boy scent. As these items are typically oversized (unless you are dating someone with a case of manorexia or boylemia- read this in the May issue of Company mag) they are baggy, not self-consciously clingy meaning that you can just throw them on over anything, with anything and run out the door. It's the natural look, the non-contrived 'I just rolled out of bed' style.
If you are going to step out and purchase some men's clothing then this is what I recommend:
For casuals-

• Primark jumpers: V-neck, super soft and only about £4. Great to throw on with any denim item or just with joggers if you're slobbing.
• Quicksilver/O'Neil/Billabong: colourful and cosy hoodies.
• Nike/Addidas: boys hi-tops. Way more cool than their colourful/sparkly girls counterparts
• Topman: tshirts galore. Stupid slogans, band logos, cartoons or just plain.
• Uniqlo: basics like v-neck cap sleeve or long sleeve T's. Also have a great range of all different coloured unisex cardigans and jumpers.

If you're going for a more tailored/smart boy look-

• Zara Mens or Topman: boyfriend cut blazers- not just the fake women's ones- these are actually long enough for those of us who are taller than 5ft6. Just make sure you don't get one with too broad shoulder otherwise you will look like you're doing the walk of shame.
• For shirts pretty much all high-street stores sell good versions, just avoid Primark for this, the shoddiness of their material makes their shirts only good for ripping up at Halloween.
• Topman has some great mens trilbys too.