Forget borrowed from the boys — these recently launched men’s labels got their start in womenswear.
Men’s fashion has come a long way in recent years, but let’s face it: the number of options for men out there still pales in comparison to what’s available for women. Thankfully, this great divide is slowly shrinking, often because womenswear brands have decided to expand their offerings, bringing new ideas to the fore and giving men more wardrobe options than ever before. Case in point: these five brands that have added menswear to the mix this year, all catering to different styles. Time to start #twinning?
The Athlete
Lolë is a Canadian women’s lifestyle brand success story, and now they’re sharing the love with men. While they offer solid outerwear and casual clothes, it’s their activewear you should be sure to check out first. Moisture-wicking shirts and shorts will see you through any workout, while sweatshirts and sweatpants are at the ready for your cool down. There are also yoga accessories aplenty for everyone from the most practiced yogis to those who’ve never chanted a single “om.”
Harper Short, $70 at lolelife.com.
The Cool Cat
Stella McCartney has built herself a fashion empire over the past 17 years. Designing exclusively for women from the beginning, she added a menswear line to her eponymous label last year, drawing on her Saville Row training and taking inspiration from her famous father’s wardrobe. Her designs bring a rock ’n’ roll sensibility and playful patterns to traditionally preppy suits, polos and sweaters. And underscoring it all is McCartney’s commitment to sustainability through her use of innovative, vegan-friendly materials, and responsible sourcing and production methods.
Navy Knit Sweater, $975 at stellamccartney.com.
The City Slicker
Denim heads, look no further—Madewell (an offshoot of J.Crew) knows how to cut a pair of jeans. Aiming for timeless rather than trendy, the brand offers three cuts (skinny, slim, and straight) in plenty of washes, and goes easy on the distressing, save for a select few styles. In case you’re looking to rock a Canadian tuxedo, there are some solid jean jacket options, too. Beyond denim, Madewell makes soft-to-the-touch tees, sweatshirts and leather accessories, and also carries a cool selection of third-party brands, like eco-friendly and stylish Veja sneakers.
Slim Jeans in Light Fade, $180 at madewell.com.
The Style Setter
Established in 2016 as a womenswear label by Sander Lak, and named for his father Sies and mother Marjan, Sies Marjan is a brand for the most fashion-forward men. Playing with colour, proportion and fabrication, this season’s avant-garde designs are right on trend with their oversized shapes, vivid hues, and use of faux fur, velvet and corduroy. This is fashion at its most expressive and fun, which is normally reserved for womenswear — though it’s high time guys got to indulge, too.
Sander Silk Dégradé Shirt, $805 at siesmarjan.com.
The Minimalist
Mansur Gavriel burst onto the scene with it-bags that had immediate wait lists, before expanding into women’s ready-to-wear and footwear. Now, they’ve set their sights on men, and we’re so glad they did. Sticking to their minimalist aesthetic and love of quality materials, the men’s collection consists of cozy cashmere coats, crewneck sweaters and cable knit sweaters in a subdued colour palette. And then there’s the bags: clean lines, understated hardware and a style for every occasion, whether it’s a business meeting or a weekend getaway.
