Shopping in the Men's Sections
A sunny day in March is a good day in Vancouver. Is it finally spring? Nope, but one can dream. I move aside my rainboots and slip into a pair of booties. I don't have a full-length mirror in my apartment so I look down to see what my outfit looks like in daylight. I notice two things:
One. I don't think I've worn these heels all winter.
Two. Both my sweater and coat are from the men's section.
My minimalist efforts kick in and I wonder if I should get rid of these heels. Do I really need these? Hmm, maybe not. Do they make me happy? Yes. I nod to myself in confirmation that I can keep these for now.
I snatched the green sweater (captured in the picture above) a couple of days ago at a thrift shop for 15 dollars. It's from Club Monaco, 55% lambwool and 45% cotton, size small, and Men's. I understand the ethical debate around wool, but I fully support purchasing them if bought secondhand. They are always one of the most warmest and long-lasting items of clothing I own, which means less layering and less clothes in my drawers, which means less support for the fast-fashion industry and less CO2 emission.
Anyways, you might be wondering how I fit into a men's size small sweater? I don't really. If a double-extra-small was an option I would have chosen that instead, but its so loose-fitted and comfy that the size doesn't bother me at all. You know the conspiracy that women's pants' pockets are smaller than men's because the corporate world wants us to buy and carry purses all the time? I wouldn't be surprised if this was also the case for clothing. I swear men's clothing last longer and are more comfortable.
The men's section in thrift stores are smaller in selection but you can find some gems if you're lucky. My green sweater is versatile, trendy, and will last me several seasons. Might I add, that sweater is worth anywhere between 150-200 dollars! I know the buttons are on the right side instead of the left, but I think that's a small price to pay. If you're not seeing any quality clothing in the women's section, go through the men's section for a change! You might be pleasantly surprised.
