Breaking Down Barriers: Borrowing from the Boys

Borrowed goods are always a thrill, especially if you finagle a long-term lease. Like most, I would happily watch over a friend’s empty country house or jump behind the wheel of their old car, even if (between us) I don’t exactly drive manual. But my fastest route to borrower’s high is always men’s clothes.

Whether it’s his button-down shirts, shawl-collar sweaters, old sport coats or fine felt hats, my boyfriend doesn’t have to look too far when he’s wondering what happened to his things. Why not just buy my own? Well, that route can be taken too, unless you’re partial to decades-old waxed cotton or a rare seasonal score, which I usually am.

Borrower’s high is simply learning about yourself through something originally designed for someone else, and there’s an innate appeal about that. We all need a departure from the usual sometimes, and an oversized fisherman’s sweater can be just the ticket.

Gender barriers have been broken for years by stylish women turning heads in men’s oxfords, trousers, hats and knits. They’re elegant and unfussy, inherently more interesting and a little rebellious: a woman who knows and dresses for herself. She also knows the power of her local tailor.

This kind of discovery can come from unexpected places at unexpected times in unexpected ways. You might stroll into the men’s department and find everything more appealing, but that’s more likely after having borrowed your dad’s old Norwegian sweater for a hike, then diving into his barn coats, hats, belts, parkas, polos and even some shorts. Maybe eBay conveniently listed your cords as unisex, or you think back to the chinos your little brother wore and realize that the boys’ department (size XL, depending on your frame) is not to be overlooked for a woman of any age.

There’s simply no way to prepare for this kind of discovery. Once you’ve stumbled into your affection for looser sleeves, unconstrained armholes, and a stylish fit that you can both layer under and exhale in, there’s little reason to turn back. You have the reins now. The options are focused, the fabrics well-tuned, the fit is made more attractive by you. There are new departments to shop from and closets to explore––his Chamois shirts and your tailored trousers now go hand-in-hand. This is an evolution of dressing for yourself.

The L.L.Bean Commando Sweater

When you find a sweater like this at the bottom of a pile in a vintage or military goods shop, you know you’ve scored. But the itch-factor of WWII wool sets in fast. The Commando reinterprets the best original features into a sweater you’ll actually wear. Chic shoulder patches, a wide, bulk-free ribbed knit, a fitted body that’s ideal to layer under a blazer for city or over an oxford for adventure. Tuck it into wide-leg pants for an old-world sailor effect. The olive pairs well with beige trousers, a pair of loafers and a waxed cotton jacket.

The L.L.Bean Mountain Classic Anorak

The anorak that will convert non-anorak wearers. It’s a just-right shade of 80s outdoorsman with mustard drawstrings and brown leather that looks like an old boat shoe. It’s hardly oversized and a flattering length. Pair it with chinos for a day hike, wide-leg cords for a misty weekend by the sea, or your most trustworthy outdoor gear for a trek near Machu Picchu.

The L.L.Bean Signature Cotton Fisherman’s Sweater

A classic for all time, the fisherman defines ‘borrowed’. When I toss it on, I feel everything: liberated, elegant, rugged, ready. You could wear it with tonal cords or twill for lasting impact, or denim for timeless appeal. In the city, I pair it with tailored wool trousers. Shrink it in the dryer a little if you want to size down. Layer it under a worn-in field coat, it’s natural habitat, or a loose wool overcoat––the subtle power move.

L.L.Bean Men’s Buckskin Chopper Mitts

Men’s gloves are great to borrow when they’re fitted at the wrist, since they’re nicely roomy––and keep your fingers warmer. These mittens (yes, mittens!) are more sophisticated than most, with soft, matte pebbled leather. They’re actually two pairs (the inside is a tonal wool, the outside is buckskin) and would be equally suitable for chopping wood at home or skiing in Megéve. The canary yellow lifts any mood. I find myself wearing them around the city with a field coat, fisherman’s sweater and tailored cords.

The L.L.Bean Classic Ragg Wool Sweater

An incognito sweater that you might overlook until you borrow it. Leather-covered buttons like these look even better on women, and so do shawl collars. This collar combines a crewneck and shawl, and when you toss it on, it feels ever-so-slightly oversized in a flattering way. The wool itself is soft and elegant, striking the right notes when paired with ankle-gracing chinos, denim or wide-leg wool pants.

The L.L.Bean Norwegian Sweater

If there’s one sweater to borrow or buy, this is certainly it! The Norwegian has such devoted fans that, after a decade of wearing it, you’ll probably receive some impressive offers should you venture into a vintage shop. But, hold onto it forever. It hasn’t changed since the early 1900s, and you no longer need net-calloused hands to pull it off–but that rugged saltwater feeling is exactly what drives its appeal.

The L.L.Bean Double L Waxed Cotton Upland Coat

I love the way a men’s waxed cotton coat looks on women. This one is a more interesting alternative to Anglo classics. It doesn’t run small, and that’s alright. Waxed cotton coats are meant to be oversized in any case, a weather-proof layer to toss on last. Paired with some Hunting Shoes, a Norwegian sweater or tonal Chamois shirt, it transports me to the countryside anywhere I am.