Dear reader: I’m going to preface this article by saying how excited I am to be writing it. I’ve been wanting to give fashion advice, even unsolicited, since I was probably seven years old, and now I get to share (force) my knowledge with (onto) you! Heed it, or don’t. But definitely do. Why else are you here?
Now, I’m going to ask you a less hypothetical question: when you think of a “sexy” outfit, what comes to mind?
Plunging cleavage? Curve-hugging jeans? Latex????
If so, Comme Une Soleil politely and respectfully begs to differ.
Now, we’re all entitled to our opinions, and I acknowledge that there’s a time and place for bandage dresses and pushup bras (and even latex), but there’s something very forced and unnecessarily strained about doing it too much. And in Comme Une Soleil’s opinion, there’s nothing worse than being a try-hard.
Why put in so much effort when you can look perfect with literally no effort at all? Why be so look-at-me when you can wear something comfortable that will naturally get people to look at you?
Why not try menswear?
As some may know, I lived in France for a few weeks this past summer and have been interested in French culture for much longer, largely because it aligns so much with my own values, including when it comes to getting dressed. French style operates under a lot of clichés (stripes and berets anyone?), but one has to admit, the French do it right, predominately for two reasons: 1) in French style, less is more, and 2) the looser the fit, the sexier the feel.
At Comme Une Soleil, these are two imperative rules to live by, unless of course you’re going to the Met Gala or something. And they’re not just restricted to French fashion: they transfer across cultures, from loose-fitting Japanese kimonos to England’s classic Burberry trenches to Ralph Lauren’s traditional, all-American fashion. Why? Because they’re the cornerstones of chic. They’re effortlessly perfect.
This is where menswear comes in. It tends to include some combination of structured coats and jackets, cozy sweaters, oversized tees and button-down shirts, polished but rumpled pants and jeans, and large, clunky shoes like boots, oxfords, loafers, and brogues (with more feminine pieces or all together). Granted, I’m a little biased, because my daily uniform generally looks like I stole 99% of it from an older lover who looks and dresses like Pierce Brosnan, but I love it for a reason! Wearing men’s styles (or even their actual clothing) comes with a million pros and no cons: it’s easy, comfortable, timeless, and not-so-subtly seductive. I mean, what’s sexier than a rumpled men’s shirt to accompany the rest of your slept-in ensemble? That’s right, nothing.
One of the many great things about menswear is that it rides the line between masculinity and femininity, showing that not only are you comfortable wearing the pants (and the blazer), you might also be comfortable stealing them from one of your many suitors. It also showcases that you’re confident in your gender presentation, and don’t need to overcompensate your beauty or womanhood via your outfits. I’ve never felt that donning menswear has stripped me of my femininity because it makes me feel empowered and unique while allowing me to show the traces of skin that I want to show.
However, if you’re concerned about looking too mannish, have no fear. Here’s Comme Une Soleil’s official guide to dressing like one of the boys:
Start by wearing your more-womanly pieces closest to your skin. I suggest wearing a lace panty underneath your menswear, for the sake of contrast (and scandal—oh, la la!). If you choose to wear a bra (which I usually don’t to play up the boyishness even more), make it one you’re comfortable with peeking out of a haphazardly-buttoned top. If it matches your undies, that’s tops, but since I’m rarely that put together, I won’t hold my humble readers to that standard.
Next, comes the top. I like to always look a little lived-in, so I apply that to the standard men’s business casual. I love a striped or swiss-dotted button-down, but a neutral-toned satin one will win my heart every time. NEVER button all the way; fasten as few buttons as you can without looking obscene, and roll up your sleeves to the elbow unless it’s really oversized. Feeling more casual? A soft, well-worn, tee shirt is always a safe move in Comme Une Soleil’s book.
There is nothing better in the WORLD than a big sweater, especially if it looks like a wardrobe staple from Love Actually. Toss on an oversized navy, black, or cream crewneck, cardi, turtleneck, or v-neck in place of your t-shirt in nippier months (speaking of nippier, the real risk-takers and Rachel Greene impersonators should go braless). Now, this is obviously Alexa Chung and not me, but note her jumper: a navy blue crewneck sweater or sweatshirt is my very favorite thing to wear on the planet.
A good pair of pants is integral to achieving the perfect menswear look, because nothing looks less effortless than a pair of brand new skinny jeans. This is not to say that you should look like a slob; if you’re wearing slacks or trousers, channel your inner Don Draper and make sure they’re pressed with a pleat (suspenders and closeted misogyny optional). However, when it comes to jeans, the more casual the better. Try to stick to either well-worn structure, like classic 501s, or the loosest, baggiest pair of jeans you can find (“boyfriend” jeans don’t always cut it here; think actual boy jeans instead). In my perfect menswear world, your jeans shouldn’t touch your legs at all, but rather float around them like thin, denim clouds. I understand that this isn’t always possible, so size the f*ck up a couple numbers, and cinch em!
Layering and menswear are like yin and yang, perfect complements living in blissful harmony. In other words, in fashion, it’s hard to have one without the other, and when they come together…. Magic. Pretty much any coat or jacket works, as long as it would look at home on either John Bender from the Breakfast Club or a silver fox Wall Street trader. I personally love a men’s flannel, a heavy blazer in wool or tweed, a leather, suede, or denim jacket, a black or grey pea coat or duster, or a classic trench, which in an ideal world would be Burberry and I would be wearing nothing underneath
Loafers, oxfords, boots, sneakers, and brogues, oh my! As one can probably tell from that cheesy sentence, there’s a little more leniency in menswear when it comes to shoes, but my personal advice is to go as clunky and biker gang-esque as possible. It’s fun, unique, and makes your legs look thinner (real talk).
Like I said before, when it comes to accessories, less really is more. The whole point of menswear is casual elegance, and too much bling can only detract. My grandmother’s advice to my mom (then to me) was to always take off one piece of jewelry before you leave the house to avoid clutter, and I suggest you apply it here. I like to keep my jewelry really feminine and delicate, and I generally stick to a thin gold bracelet and necklace.
That’s it, you’re officially ready to conquer the world comme des garcons-style (the literal translation, not the fashion label; that’s a whole different story). Spritz on some musky perfume, tousle your hair, kiss your Pierce Brosnan lover goodbye, undo a button, take off one piece of jewelry before heading out the door, and show this “man’s world” what you’re made of. x
