For years, the fashion industry has pushed the idea of “boyfriend fit” clothing, oversized hoodies, relaxed jeans, loose button-ups, all marketed toward women as a way to borrow a sense of comfort and ease from menswear. The implication? That true comfort, true roominess, true function isn’t designed for women, it’s something we have to borrow from men.
It’s a subtle but revealing message: oversized clothes aren’t inherently for everyone; they’re for men first. If women want to experience that level of ease, they must either take it from a man (cue the romanticized idea of wearing your boyfriend’s hoodie) or buy a “boyfriend-style” version that has been rebranded for them. But why do we need a gendered permission slip to wear something roomy? Why does relaxed clothing for women still come with the condition that it must be tied to masculinity?
The Gendered Origins of ‘Boyfriend Fit’
The term “boyfriend fit” really gained traction in the early 2000s, most notably with denim brands marketing looser, relaxed jeans as a cool, effortless alternative to traditionally tight, form-fitting women’s styles. It wasn’t long before the trend extended to oversized sweaters, blazers, and even button-downs. But while it might have seemed like a win for comfort, it reinforced an underlying assumption: women’s clothing was still expected to be form-fitting, “flattering,” and designed to accentuate the body, unless, of course, they were borrowing from men’s fashion.
Meanwhile, men’s clothing was never labeled “girlfriend fit.” No one was rebranding fitted clothing for men as something inspired by women’s fashion.
Why ‘Boyfriend Fit’ Feeds the Same Old Beauty Standards
Even in its attempt to push boundaries, “boyfriend fit” still operates within the framework of traditional beauty standards. The relaxed fit is often styled in a way that maintains conventional femininity, an oversized blazer with heels, a slouchy sweater with a cinched waist, baggy jeans with a crop top. It’s comfort, but curated comfort.
The messaging remains clear: women can enjoy looser, roomier clothing, but only if they balance it out in a way that still feels conventionally attractive. If you wear an oversized hoodie, it’s often expected that you pair it with leggings or bike shorts to keep some form of body-conscious styling intact. If you wear baggy jeans, a fitted top is encouraged. The idea that a woman could wear fully oversized, non-form-fitting clothing, without it being a borrowed, “boyfriend” look—still isn’t the norm in mainstream fashion.
Why We’re Over It: Comfort Shouldn’t Need Justification
At Everywhen Apparel, we believe in clothing that doesn’t require a backstory. You shouldn’t have to justify why you’re wearing something comfortable. You shouldn’t need to frame your fashion choices around a man, whether that’s borrowing his clothes, styling around traditional femininity, or needing a label that allows you to embrace comfort on someone else’s terms.
Oversized, relaxed, and boxy fits shouldn’t be gendered. They shouldn’t require a branding strategy that makes them feel palatable for women. Comfort should be for everyone, without the need for a borrowed identity.
So, let’s retire the term “boyfriend fit.” Let’s call it what it is: clothing designed for comfort, confidence, and movement, no gendered labels required.