Fashion

[Poodlepet2]

Please don't beat me up over this question, but what exactly does it mean when it comes to fashion? I thought it referred to a masculine cut for a feminine body.

Today while "shopping" on the Net, I saw a few tunics that were labeled "boyfriend"....there was nothing remotely masculine about them in any way....

What does it mean?

Thanks,

Poodlepet2

[chrystaltree]

You can't over think these things.  I think originally boyfriend, as in jeans and cardigans and blazers, meant they borrowed the styling of men's apparel and cut it to fit a woman's body.  It still does mean that but they are also using "boyfriend" for other apparel.  

[StraytoStay]

Loose fit or bigger. 

[makena]

In fashion design, primarily in ready-to-wear lines, boyfriend is any style of women's clothing that was modified from a corresponding men's garment. Examples include boyfriend jackets, boyfriend jeans, and boyfriend blazers, which are often more unisex or looser in appearance and fit than most women's jackets or trousers, though still designed for the female form.

The origin of boyfriend fashion is borrowing and wearing a boyfriend's clothes—his distressed jeans, his band tees, his dress shirts, his blazers, his cardigan. The trend expanded when many brands such as Gap, Forever 21, and H&M began to create boyfriend fashion products or men's-inspired fashion.

The boyfriend blazer has been featured in many of the spring 2010 walks such as Charlotte Ronson, Cynthia Rowley, and Elie Tahari, and the trend continued into 2011. There are two main important ways to wear the look: making it oversized, and rolling up the sleeves. The boyfriend trend is all about wearing clothes that look a size too big for the wearer. It is recommended to only go up one size. It balances it out while implying that the sleeves would be too long for the wearer's arms. The boyfriend blazer comes in many different shades, ranging from classic hues of black and gray to whites, pinks, and neons. They are very versatile because they can be worn with a cocktail dress, a skirt and blouse, or even leggings.

[StraytoStay]

Giuliana Rancic's boyfriend cardigan doesn't look like anything any of my boyfriends would have worn though! Ha ha

[GCR18]

I always took it to mean loose fitting.

[Poodlepet2]

Thank you all for the explanations. I had an idea of what it meant....but when I saw these lacy ruffled tunics labeled "boyfriend" I wondered if I was missing something.

Thanks,

Poodlepet2

[ALRATIBA]

Back in the 80s/90s ... it was fairlly common around here to buy men's sports jackets from thrift shops and wear with button front shirts and jeans.

They were fab for casual wear.  I had quite a collection.

[SahmIam]

Oversized for you; you're wearing your "boyfriends" shirt, cardigan, jacket, pants, etc.

To me, it just means it's cut longer in the length and arms and a bit wider in the shoulders. Being tall, I look for this term in some womens' clothing.

[ROMARY]

Ever so slightly loose fit.  Earlier last week, Host Amy was wearing D&Co. light blue wash, boyfriend, ever-so-slightly distressed jeans, rolled up a tiny bit.  On Inspired Style show, I believe, but not sure.  They were very flattering and comfortable.  I like that look.   Take a look at those D&Co. very slightly distressed jeans.