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The boyfriend cut is loose-fitting women’s clothing inspired by men’s fashion. It became popular in the 1980s with boxy suits and oversized shirts, and has made a comeback in the 2000s with boyfriend jeans and sweaters. Women have always raided men’s closets for comfortable clothing, and the trend is likely to continue.
The boyfriend cut refers to women’s clothing that is loose in the style of men’s clothing. The look achieved by wearing a boyfriend cut sweater or jeans is like borrowing an item of clothing from your boyfriend’s closet. The roomiest clothes your boyfriend might wear are often quite comfortable, resulting in deliberate raiding of boyfriends’, brothers’, husbands’, and fathers’ closets. Since the look is popular, some women’s clothing is now boyfriend-style, which must come as a relief to the many men who are often plundered by fashion- or comfort-conscious women.
For centuries, gentlemen have been taught to offer their own sweater or jacket to women who may feel relaxed from late-night excursions. This undoubtedly led to the discovery by many women that a nice roomy jacket or sweater can be wonderfully comfortable. In the last century, women may have been a bit reluctant to return a politely offered sweater. Wearing a boyfriend sweater, particularly a letter sweater, was often a sign that two people were dating. Thus, the idea of menswear on women as particularly related to grooms results in the term groom cut.
However, boyfriend cut patterns and menswear designed for women were clearly out of style for a while. Women’s suits in the early 1980s frequently imitated men’s suits. The boxy-cut, shoulder-padded jacket worn by female professionals in the 1980s was often called the “linebacker” style, because it did nothing to flatter a woman’s shape. Gradually, in the late 1980s, trends in women’s professional wear shifted towards garments that were form-fitting and tailored to accentuate curves.
Another trend in the 1980s was the highly recognizable leggings, often worn with an oversized shirt. Naturally, the cheapest and easiest way to find a great shirt was to take one from dad, brother or boyfriend. Certainly, there were also boyfriend-cut shirts made specifically for women. However, it was often fun and easier to wear one from a male acquaintance.
Both boxy suit jackets and oversized shirt and legging styles for women began to decline in popularity. This did not mean that women were less likely to steal any item of clothing. However, for most everyday wear, tighter fitting clothing was preferred.
In the 2000s, leggings were reintroduced, and so were low-rise jeans, seen more frequently in men’s clothing for the past few decades, now often called boyfriend jeans. Oversized shirts are becoming popular again, with boyfriend cut sweaters or oversized shirts marketed specifically as boyfriend cut clothing. No doubt fashion trends will change in the future, but women will always have a use for plus size clothing, which means that if they can’t find it in stores, men should watch their closets carefully.
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