If you thought those comfy, plus-size boyfriend t-shirts are the style statement your significant other can lend to your wardrobe, you’ve got to keep up with the times. There’s a tour de force of designers and brands out there, striving to bridge the gap between your wardrobe shelves, your hangers, your shoe racks, and your general outlook towards fashion. For instance, the off-beat high-street label Munkee See Munkee Doo, which is known for its minimal aesthetics, has unleashed a collection inspired by the works of digital technique artist Hsiao Ron Cheng and forms the base for motifs of power like guns embroidered on dresses, easy separates and jumpsuits etc. The muted palette of pale blue, mint, lilac and charcoal grey, with leather appliqué, is graceful and powerful. With Clarks’ Boy Meet Girl collection, it’s even possible to fill in your boyfriend shoes. Here, you’ll find a dandy slipper in baby pink; a swanky oxford lace up with grosgrain ribbon; or a rough-tough sandal re-done as slim and elegant and a glossy shimmer on it. The idea, as the women from the brand put it, is ‘what’s comfortable and classic isn’t reserved for men anymore. And what’s made for him usually looks better on us!’
Fashion and accessory brand 431-88, which was started in 2012 with the idea of bringing luxury sportswear to the forefront, is bringing you closer to the boyfriend by promoting an easy, dishevelled look, a break from the prim and proper character of women’s clothing. The soft draping evokes a relaxed mood reminiscent of the glamour of the 70s and the unapologetic party atmosphere of the 90s. In their new collection, Poolside Party, you’ll get slouchy shirts, cropped jackets, soft drapes, sexy slits, some deep necklines and contemporary saris all paired with Nike floaters. In what seems like a first, they have even paired saris with those floaters. There are also rugged leather satchels, because you too carry a laptop to work.
Keeping pace with the trend is brand Heumn by Pranav Mishra & Shyma Shetty, which is known for weaving in tribal embroidery with contemporary aesthetics. This season, it has unleashed abstract prints in black and white to bring out the duality of strength and style in a girl’s personality. You will find sheer covers over sheaths, a khakhi flared white blotch print skirt, a jumpsuit with net trail, a red maxi with bold shimmer and the final white maxi embellished with feather-like shredding with a sheer hem. The tough was delicately balanced with the tender. The fashion industry is blurring the lines between what is meant for a man and what a woman can wear, and they’re doing it in style.