Why do I buy essentials from the men's section?

Might just clear this up before I begin. Sorry about the total disconnect between image and writing! However, it shows one thing - I'm obsessed with what I call a #randomflatlay. If you follow me on Instagram you will probably understand and if you don't - no worries, because it means this is new and probably aren't bored of it yet!

I started the 'Borrowing From Him' series after finding it easier to buy essentials such as tees and sweaters from the men's section. It turned from the 'birthday, Father's day and Christmas section' to a place where I would frequently browse in and later pin point when shopping for basics.

I have come to learn that borrowing from him is definitely not about imitation. Like most items of clothing I only feel comfortable when it is incorporated into my style. For example, loose fit, rolled cuffs and some tuck just feels so me. It means that although I am wearing my brother's shirt it doesn't mean I am dressing like a man! I have simply just taken it as inspiration in an abstract and also physical sense (I did borrow the shirt and wear it!) and made it my own. So, like most things in life take something as inspiration because imitation just suggests a lack of imagination. While in a fashion sense, it portrays an absence of individual style. But then again, these are my opinions! Feel free to object!

Along with another example of the 'inspiration Vs. imitation' dilemma I have also realised that a possible reason I gravitate towards essentials from our male counterparts is because the options available to women are plentiful and not always in a helpful way. It seems that instead of focussing on a single design in a selected range of materials and colours most rather branch out and cover more. This gives us consumers a vast range of options but is it helpful? Well, given that I rather buy from the men's section when it comes to basics I would prefer a more edited collection. It seems that some stores have caught onto this idea by having an 'essentials' or 'basics' page on their online store. I actually find this quite useful because the grouping allows me to quickly scan through their 'essential' pieces and mentally I am able to compare them to similar pieces from the men's section in terms of overall look, quality and price. At the end of the day, certain items from the men's section just fit my style and quality criteria more so then pieces from the women's section. So, why stop if it works!