One of the perks of having a similar height boyfriend with a taste for fine clothes that somehow always sit in the bottom of the wardrobe because, let’s be honest, comfortable wear is his everyday cup of tea is that you get to extend the realms of your own closet without any additional splurge. I say boyfriend here but you can replace it with sister/brother/mum/dad/roommie instead and the above will also be true.

How many times have we stood in front of our bursting off the seams wardrobe thinking I have nothing to wear? I have been told capsule wardrobes work wonders in this sense, because you consciously choose garments that represent you and that you don’t get tired of wearing (in theory)… but if you are anything like me and are not ready yet to give up all the beautiful pieces you have accumulated over the years in the hopes that the love you once felt for them will magically come back, but still falling into a style rut every now and again, then raiding’s somebody else’s wardrobe –with their permission, of course– is a very valid option that will hopefully quench your sartorial thirst. I wonder whether this “technique” actually works for capsule wardrobers, given that in practice you are not really buying any new pieces, mmm…

Anyways, after seeing the shearling coat trend all over social media this autumn I remembered Mr Vet had a very similar one that he only wore on special occasions. I tried it on and the cut was simply on point, not too big not too tight for me, perfect dose of oversized and as warm as a big teddy bear hug. I meannnnn… baby, it’s cold outside, and I need a new coat in my life, plus I am simply carrying out a good deed here, that precious gem being wasted in the bottom of a closet! I offered Mr Vet a peek into my wardrobe as compensation, but he didn’t seem very thrilled at the idea 😉

On this occasion, not only did I raid my boyfriend’s wardrobe to find this beauty, but on our last family reunion, I somehow ended up convincing my dad to give me his grey silky shirt that I am wearing under this cosy bell-sleeved H&M sweater. Another oversized piece that I have loved this winter, so lush and delicate yet a tad boxy and masculine.

Lately I find myself leaning towards either uber-chic and feminine outfits (see here and here for examples) or rather tomboyish street style looks. I like both styles for different reasons, but I am very much drawn by the effect that typically-masculine pieces have on a woman’s body. I find there is something powerful about suits, pants, and a general badass attitude that I like to incorporate into my looks quite often, not to mention men’s clothes tend to be much more comfortable than women’s! I guess the perfect balance will be reached when men feel free to wear typically-feminine pieces and also feel empowered in them… Mia from The Fashion Folks wisely talks about the blur in gender fashion on her latest post, which I found really interesting.

In any case, I do feel very much inspired by menswear every season, particularly when the colder months approach: oversized shirts and coats, boyfriend jeans, beanies, boxy t-shirts… they are versatile pieces that you can style in many ways, playing with the volumes, the lengths and your attitude. Personally, I like to add a touch of sensuality to those tomboyish looks by wearing my gold hoops or a red lipstick. I have learnt in recent years that contrasts work really well in fashion and as always it’s the little details that pull an outfit together!

It’s been sort of an aimless post, most likely influenced by a case of slight sleep deprivation, but here you go glamistas: an outfit I adore, with pieces I like from men whom I love. Fashion is feeling, and if I think about the day we shot these pics, I was feeling damn good!

Happy Sunday, my dear friends, keep those comments coming for I love to hear your thoughts week after week!

Peace&Love

Saida

{H&M sweater} {Barneys Shearling jacket} {GAP jeans – raw hemmed at home} {Primark sunglasses}