The trend of boyfriend-apparel has become a popular go-to winter look for the last two years now. Whether it is bf-jeans (that personally make me look like the after photo of a Bio-slim advert) or the bf-blazer, woman’s wear has officially become a fan of the cross-dressing culture – which I fully support.
Nothing screams ‘sex-on-legs’ quite like a bare legged chick in a dick’s shirt in my opinion, which is why I proclaim this already cold season of 2011 to be the age of: The BoyFriend Shirt. FACT FILE: Owning a bf shirt does not require having a bf at all…but implies you either got it all this morning or last night.
“And who doesn’t dig feeling a little rock star-ish every now and then?“
It keeps you warm, hides that winter bloating (I’m not ashamed of comfort eating but I am ashamed of the kwashiorkor-post-binge-baby-bump) and provides that sense of authentic 90’s Cobain/Nirvana grunge that works so well with winter layering. And who doesn’t dig feeling a little rock star-ish every now and then?
Weather it be flannel, cotton or denim, here are some guidelines to consider.
1. Always roll-up those extra long cuffs to reveal your dainty-lady wrists. It also tailors in all that excess fabric under the arms (we ain’t got guns to fill the airy sleeve space – nor do we want to look like Fat Bastard at the end of Austin Powers with all his excess skin).
2. Invest in a shirt… a) You’ll want to wear everyday and with everything (unbuttoned as a jacket, tied at the waist like the Wild, Wild West and worn over leggings or however you please). b) One of good quality – a piece like this can become a style-staple. c) One with a slim fit – we don’t look good as rats drowning in a gutter of fabric.
3. Always pair it with items that remind the opposite sex that you are still in fact, with vagina. Think along the lines of: worn open over a sick vest or tee, stockings on the legs and one of those generic but oh so useful tube-mini skirts to hide the good-parts. Oh and boots. Gotta have those heavy-step military boots just to make it that little bit more rough on the eyes. I dare you to wear thigh high socks instead of/over your sausage casings…
Now, ladies and gents, this part is for the both of you. I will welcome thanks hugely in the form of wine, money or hand-hugs. I spent the day scouring the Mother fucker City sourcing the *BBFSE for ya’ll. I’ve got something for you whether you plan on fading this bitch or seriously investing in this style as I have…
If you are looking for the warmest lumberjack looking flannels – The Lot is where you need to start. Ranging from R370 – R395, their selection includes hooded styles as well a questionable Burberry print knock-off (which I highly endorse anyone naaaaaaaaat buying) and the fit is so snug – warmth is guaranteed!
When Local is truly lekker, one can only think of Blue Collar White Collar positioned in the Wellness Centre. With new stock intake happening weekly, and the limited styles available, these shirts are not only affordable but also exclusive (you could be one of say five people owning a certain style). Ranging between R650 to R800 bucks, these shirts not only support our local industry but the ‘quality over quantity’ ideology too. (Boys, race one another to their store to get your dirty hands on one of their shirt jackets…too cool for even us girls to wear them)
Why.D.E, excuse me, Y.D.E had an alluring selection of cool utility styles, but once I put the fabric between my fingers…well, just trust me when I say it would be a waste of winter-shopping-money.
“Usually priced up in the thousands, they have the most impressive sale rack and prices lower than a Jersey Shore neckline!!!“
Brighten up the grey palette of winter with the overwhelming selection of printed cotton shirts available from the Italian Vogal and Aitken, situated in the new Cape Quarter building. Think honeycomb shapes, florals, and art-deco patterns in colours that make summer feel so much further away. Usually priced up in the thousands, they have the most impressive sale rack and prices lower than a Jersey Shore neckline. R400 for some Italiano in my life? I hear investment bells… and on the topic of cotton shirts, lets just give the one and only Ben Sherman a nod for always providing the coolest prints and styles in urban outfitting (priced at R699-R900).
“Diesel went back in time to deliver the perfect 90’s acid wash denim shirt complete with paint splatters and buttons that do not match. Cream!“
And now for the denim shirt-come denim jacket wish list, and personally, the bf item I cannot leave my house without; these are the items I wish I could afford this month. Just know that purchasing one of these will lead to my plotting of your demise and stealing it right off of your back, hairy or not. Starting at a hefty R2449, Diesel went back in time to deliver the perfect 90’s acid wash denim shirt complete with paint splatters and buttons that do not match. Cream! Do I hear R2449 in the back? NOT SOLD, its mine biatches!
Okay, going for R1270 and R1280 are two of the most beautifully crafted Mauro Grifoni shirts (Italian of course) hanging on the rails of Spaghetti Mafia of Loop Street. Think individuality and quality in each piece, something you keep to hand down on to the next fashion savvy generation. A-store on Kloof is holding the cheapie (I could laugh) of the wish list and it’s up for a ransom of R859…any hero’s out there eager to save a poor Cheap Monday button-up?
These are all mine 😉
“retro-robe = retro wardrobe“
In all honesty, the best place to start collecting your bfs’s is ironically in your father’s retro-robe (retro wardrobe). Men, I would like to conclude with this: over time we have taken your jobs, smokes, bars, jeans, blazers and cars… and now we own your shirts…but you could never own ours!
Love and Labels
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