It's no secret that plus-size women are underserved by the fashion industry.
With limited retail and design choices, we have to get creative to dress fashionably. One option many of us overlook is the men's section. Straight-size women have worn so-called "boyfriend style" for ages. Since big and tall men's clothes have traditionally not been great, plus-size women didn't wade in the men's section waters.
But now that retailers are offering more modern plus-size men's clothes, that's slowly changing.
Recently, I saw Kellie Brown wearing this STUNNING teddy bear coat from the plus-size men's section of ASOS.
The coat SOLD OUT in many sizes after Brown posted the photo, and it's no longer carried in the ASOS plus-size men's section 🙁
I decided to check out what else is in the "big men" corner of ASOS.
After browsing ASOS for hours, this jacket caught my eye.
Patchwork borg jacket in ecru by ASOS Plus ($40, ASOS)
During the winter season, most of us wrap ourselves in big coats to stay warm. I love a great statement jacket, and trendy teddy bear screams my name. I tried it in a size 2X.
I had to push up the sleeves since they were rather long, and rather than looking off, it just looked cooler.
I was happy to find an item that fit my style, but I was also IN SHOCK at how cheap this coat was. A cute $40 coat is hard to find in the plus-size women's section.
The second item I got was this oversize gray sweater in a men's 2X.
Oversize sweatshirt in gray marl ($32, ASOS)
I've never been able to pull off oversize looks like my stylish blogger friends do.
When clothes are barely made in your size, it's hard to find something baggy that hangs in way that says "chic" rather than "sloppy."
This sweater slid down my body without clinging or looking overly oversized.
It also reminded me that the "clothes for plus-size women cost more because you need more fabric" theory is complete bullshit.
When I tried a men's outfit from head to toe, it didn't work out as I wished.
Tracksuit sweatshirt with super skinny jogger ($48, ASOS)
You'll notice the model is wearing matching sweatpants and I'm not…
I had to skip the skinny joggers; they were so tight I could barely move, much less jog!
I tried the top and the pants in a 2X. Clearly the pants were not ready for this jelly. I paired the millennial peach sweatshirt with some boyfriend jeans and cool beanie to complete the look.
Like Kellie, I wanted to find a bomb coat that would make me feel 10x cooler.
Wool mix drop shoulder overcoat in puppy tooth ($85, ASOS)
TBH, I have never felt cooler.
Aside from the gray sweatshirt, this coat was my favorite. I don't think I have ever been able to wear a coat this long!
Final Thoughts:
After years of frustration in dressing rooms, I've been loyal to my favorite online plus-size brands for quite a while. But this experience is inspiring me to look outside my usual sources. (Thanks to the oversize trend, there may even be curve-friendly gems in straight-size women's racks.) Shopping in the men's section is a great way to achieve Tomboy chic and save some money at the same time. I will definitely be shopping in the men's section more often.
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