12.11.12a
12.11.12b
12.11.12c
12.11.12d

I feel esteemed in the fact that I can find something to buy for myself at any time and anywhere. Now that doesn’t always mean that I can or that I do buy something; I would never be allowed out of the car if that were the case. It’s just that I have a talent for shopping, a God-given gift if you will. 

Well, as I was wandering around the men’s section at H&M with my husband, I found this button down just waiting for me, whispering my name and not my husband’s. Did you realize that the selection of plaid button downs in the men’s department is mesmerizing? And it turns out at H&M, a men’s small is like a women’s medium. My world has just opened up to not one but two sections at every store now. Twenty eight years and I just now figure out I can wear a men’s small. Be still my heart, be full my wallet. 

______________________________

Top: H&M

Sweater: Similar

Skirt: Similar

Boots: Gap

Tote: Madewell

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117 Responses

  1. I have found that the men's button downs are sooo much better than the womens!
    adoredlife.blogspot.com

  2. Oooh nice find! There's a shirt just like it at jcrew for $90!! I'm going to have to look around the men's section!

    Joyce@
    Sip-n-wear.blogspot.com

  3. that means dry cleaning will be cheaper, too!
    love your blog, Kendi–always brightens my day!

  4. I've often looked through the selection of men's plaid button down's at H&M with lusting eyes for my own button down collection. Now, I know the truth. I too, can enjoy those fabulous patterns!  Thanks for the head's up 😉

  5. Cute shirt! Old Navy has a very similar one – and it's women's sizing (so the fit is slimmer/fitted) – they really have improved on their fitting/sizing of their shirts! The red buffalo check is everywhere this season (jcrew – I think I saw it first!) Now everyone's bringing out their own version! We're all going to look like a bunch of LUMBERJACKS! WHOOT! Brawny man, anyone??? 😉

  6. OH! And I just saw that H&M is calling your shirt ORANGE?! You guys – am I colorblind here? It looks red to me?! Is this a case of RORANGE? (I actually am colorblind with red and orange…but I was hoping I wasn't this bad…) 🙂

  7. "be still my heart, be full my wallet'" – classic. Can I get that in an Etsy print somewhere?! 🙂 You are hilarious. And you look awesome in the plaid!

  8. Same goes for the GAP, Mens xs and s are like women M. AND the prices are cheaper! whao!

  9. I mean, it's a toss up. To me it's more poppy than orange but when I saw it in the store I thought red. So rorange might be the most accurate 😉

  10. You're lucky. I wish I could fit men's size small. It's too big for me. I love that men's clothes are warmer than women, even though women (me!) are always colder than men. Women clothes are thinner (ie sheer) and more exposed (ie tank tops) and short (dresses, skirts).

  11. Your husband is probably worried now that you'll either be stealing more of his clothes, or buying from the men's department for yourself instead.

  12. The men's section at H&M is amazing! It's the only place my best guy friend and I can shop together (cause you know they won't sit still anywhere else).

  13. Wow I need to check out the Mens section because i love that top!
    xo,eelsaywww.theluxuryrehab.com

  14. I would've never guessed it was a men's shirt!

    Does your stuff get lost at the bottom of your transport tote?  That's pretty much the only reason I didn't get it this weekend when Madewell had all their purses 25% off.

  15. I am definitely guilty of stealing a couple of husband's h&m cardigans! The men's section isn't so bad 🙂

    brittanykytecreated.blogspot.com

  16. I need to get on that! I've looked in the mens' section before, but not often. Here's a fun trick though – check out the kids' section! A lot of the time they are less expensive and you can find XXL! I've done that before. 😉

    xxoo Elanor

  17. Kendi, I've been following your blog for quite some time! I don't wanna sound cheesy, but you are truly an inspiration to me! 

    I wish you all the best for the holiday season!

    In Romania we have a perfect winter, lots of snow!

    Kisses,

    Mamalina

    http://dresssidestory.blogspot.ro/

  18. I love looking in the menswear section! the best! you look great btw!

    iambornlippy.blogspot.com

  19. My husband wears lots of plaid button-ups and I frequent his closet all too often. I'm not even above stealing his sweaters if i want a "slouchier" look. When I saw this post I was so happy to see that I'm not the only one! If your hubby is half as good a dresser as you are, I'm sure you won't even have to shop the men's section, just shop the Mr. side of the closet! 😉

  20. I often buy mens shirts – mostly because I find that a slim fit small in the mes fits like a long length in womens. Particularly with 'boxy' brands like RL, as I find their Oxfords are always too short and I have to size up three times to get the length I want. I have been dying for some plaid, I will have to pop into H&M pronto! 🙂

    http://www.boxandbrownie.com

  21. Amazing! I wear guys button-ups too! 🙂 🙂 My long torso doesn't allow me to get away with woman's . . . :/

  22. I figured out the same thing last year when I bought my first plaid shirt in the men's section 😉 I was surprised at how versatile it is and how well it goes with everything else that I own (even the "girly" clothes), so I've advised all of my girlfriends to take a look at either their boyfriend's closet or the men's department at H&M. 

  23. "Be still my heart, be full my wallet." – I'm stealing that. Too cute! … And I love that plaid!  

  24. "Be still my heart, be full my wallet"- I honestly did laugh out loud at that one. Your blog always makes me smile 🙂

  25. I've been doing that for years! I find things like oxford button downs in the men's section, they are more structured and last longer than similar items in the womens departments.

  26. Such a cute look! I love H&M! I used to live in Italy and that was the best place to shop in Europe….so happy they just opened one in Austin! 

    -Courtney, notworld.wordpress.com

  27. I think the men's section in H&M sometimes have better stuff than the womens! Love this and congrats on your new discovery 😉

    xo Ashley
    luckylittlebird.blogspot.com

  28. I love wearing men's shirts~ Sometimes guys have such nice clothing!! Amazing outfit. (: I love the cardigan as well. Your hair looks gorgeous here!

    -theresa
    collaredblouse.blogspot.com

  29. I pass by an HM on my way home. Everyday. When they were first displaying sweaters in the window I thought to myself, "Self, those men's sweaters look awfully nice. I bet a men's small will make a great over-sized, boyfriend-esque sweater for you." Alas, I am planning a wedding and have no money so I told myself to shut the hell up.

  30. Hi Kendi! I've been following your blog for a while now. I thought you may get a kick out of the series that I'm working on right now– I'm working on finding 10 days' worth of outfits based around a white blazer I recently bought at H&M. The thing is, I'm living in London for a few months and only have one suitcase to work out of! So some of the outfits are, well, interesting. PLUS I've been borrowing clothes from my husband. So your post today cracked me up!!
    Come on over if you want a few laughs!

    http://www.ConfessionsOfTheEasilyInfluenced.blogspot.com
    @IAmInfluenced:twitter 

  31. I have the same problem… I call it a problem though and not a talent because I get this weird, glazed over look when I go into a store and immediately tune out anyone I'm with because I'm zooming in on all the possibilities 🙂 You look super cute – that shirt must be glad it was whispering your name!

    Sincerely,
    Crazy-eyed-shopper (aka Annie)
    The Other Side of Gray

  32. Oh! I love this ensemble. I've tried on men's button downs SO MANY times in the past, and (for whatever reason) won't let myself buy. Consider this post the motivation I needed to get my credit card a swipin'!

  33. Hi, i like your style and the blog. It's given me ideas on different ways to wear things.
    Know what would be great? If you could find looks by the items. E.g. "Jeans", "tees", "minis" etc.

    On a different note, curious as to whether you changed your makeup or clothing choices after you went red. I also recently went from dark brown to burgundy, & could use any tips.Hi, i like your style and the blog. It's given me ideas on different ways to wear things.
    Know what would be great? If you could find looks by the items. E.g. "Jeans", "tees", "minis" etc.

    On a different note, curious as to whether you changed your makeup or clothing choices after you went red. I also recently went from dark brown to burgundy, & could use any tips.
    Cynthia

  34. I have experienced the same just recently. I wanted to get this cardigan for my man so badly, but he just didn't like it on himself. I tried it just for fun and it just looks so perfect on me. Here we go, men's section!!!

  35. Cute! I love button-ups but sometimes it's hard to find ones that fit well on a tall girl..So I've been buying men's smalls for a while! J.Crew always has lots of good men's shirts on sale 🙂

  36. Lucky me, my hubby wears a size small – I pretty much consider all of his shirts fair game all the time. He's less than thrilled about this, but tolerates me. 😀 Oooh, the J Crew plaids…

  37. YES! Target mens button downs are pretty much my everyday wear.  LOVE it.

  38. i'm totally guilty of buying men's xs shirts at h&m. i bought a grey chambray button up and a mint chambray button up from there some time ago, and i probably wear them more than my women's button up shirts from other stores.

  39. Its really amazing blog. I am learning so many new things. Thanks for sharing it with us. Please provide more blog posts on how to use and get discount by using H&M Dubai Season Sale – Flat 40% Off Sale.

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