How to de-centre men with your wardrobe according to a fashion editor

We’re all guilty of dressing to attract. There’s nothing wrong with it – it’s instinctual. Birds puff out their brilliant feathers, fireflies illuminate themselves using bioluminescence and chameleons flaunt their kaleidoscopic colouration during mating rituals. Style is inherently flirtatious.

However, in recent months there has been a lot of social chatter among Gen Z about de-centring the male gaze – e.g. dressing for yourself rather than men. I always thought I was pretty decent at this, until I went on holiday last week. From the depths of my suitcase emerged the cheeky-cut bikinis, slinky evening dresses and backless tops, ready to take my Caribbean beach holiday by storm.

Naturally, these were the outfits that ended up on my Instagram feed – despite wearing an old bucket hat and jorts for the majority of the week. I couldn’t help but feel inauthentic – questioning why the ‘sexy’ snaps ended up on social media as opposed to more genuine moments I didn’t fancy sharing publicly.

Turns out, this fashion editor isn’t as skilled at averting the male gaze as she thought. Time to check myself and rehash the man-repelling pieces.

Cue the slew of Bermuda shorts, hefty leather bombers, loafers and lace boleros that never fail to upset straight-laced men. After all, there’s a certain joy that comes with wearing an outfit that is entirely tailored to you – a proud act of self-celebration.

It’s at this point where many writers would pluck an extract from John Berger’s seminal 1972 text Ways of Seeing (most likely “Men act and women appear”) which highlights how women often view themselves through a male lens. Thankfully, while fashion can be blissfully sultry (think 90s-era Tom Ford for Gucci), clothing can be joyously assertive and totally reductive of what is conventionally deemed as palatable.

This is not to bash the girls who love a touch of glam – that would be ironically anti-feminist – but rather to help those who, like myself, need of inspo when reevaluating their female-centric wardrobe. Likewise, it goes without saying that not all men are crusty old chauvinists – some actually don’t suck.

Luckily, there are several designers flying the flag for fashion that breaks with traditional beauty standards. Simone Rocha and Bora Aksu champion whimsygoth lace and Victoriana silhouettes. Collina Strada and Chopova Lowena are defined by dopamine-inducing quirk and colour. Loewe and JW Anderson lean into virality, promoting oversized silhouettes and satirical hero pieces. Moschino and Viktor & Rolf glean inspiration from surrealism, spotlighting avant-garde design on the world stage.

Several celebrities have followed suit. Billie Eilish is renowned for her androgynous ‘anti-fashion’ style that favours XL cuts. Lady Gaga set the tone for shocking red carpet attire (the raw meat dress being the stand-out here.) Pamela Anderson and Alicia Keys stopped wearing makeup for public events. Emma Chamberlain is queen of geek-chic style, paving the way for stockings, innovative knitwear layering and pixie cuts. Not to mention the founding figure of the movement, Leandra Medine, whose beloved publication Man Repeller became bible during the 2010s.

So, without further ado, we present the perfectly uncouth, ‘unladylike’ man-repelling pieces to incorporate into your testosterone-phobic wardrobe. In fact, forget the men altogether and dress solely for yourself. If you happen to irk some boys while doing so then, well, that’s not the worst thing in the world, is it?

How to de-centre men with your wardrobe:

A guest wears a grey cropped blazer with matching grey knee-length tailored shorts, aviator sunglasses, carries a small yellow handbag outside the Gabriela Hearst show during Day Eight of Paris Fashion Week

Bermuda Shorts

Baggy, masculine and endlessly comfortable – Bermuda shorts never fail to prompt a raised eyebrow from men. Add to bag.

Loafers

Loafers – or more specifically creepers – are considered a traditional staple in men’s fashion, with a history dating back to the 1930s. Hence, we’re reclaiming them – à la cool-girls Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner.

Griff seen wearing a total simone rocha look, outside simone rocha during London Fashion Week September 2022 on September 18

Tulle

Frothy, effervescent and joyous in every aspect, tulle is an inherently girlish texture to toy with. Plus, it’s so puffy it creates its own personal-space man buffer on the tube.

A guest wears cream Maison Margiela tabi heels, outside Maison Margiela, during the Womenswear Spring Summer 2026 as part of Paris Fashion Week

Tabis

This comes as a surprise to absolutely nobody. Men and hoofed Margiela Tabi heels have endured a rather rocky relationship – meaning we want a pair even more than ever.

Layers of Lace

Lace is twofold. Sure, it can be sexy when daintily trimmed along lingerie, but it can also offer a beautifully whimsical look that’s breezy, bohemian and vintage-inspired. Joni Mitchell would approve.

Slogans

No garment embodies loud and proud style like the slogan tee. The least cryptic footnote in fashion’s history, slogan tees, be them camis or crop tops, are simple vehicles for effortlessly identifying oneself as an unapologetic dresser.

Ties

Another traditionally masculine piece, ties have been adopted by the female style set as a preppy, Gossip Girl-coded accessory. Uniform and smart in equal measure.

Crochet Bonnets

Beloved by Scandi street style enthusiasts and Hackney dwellers, crochet bonnets (AKA skull caps) are on the up. The twee headpiece every It-girl needs in their arsenal.

Model Adwoa Aboah attends the Molly Goddard dress in black sunglasses, a pink dress, brown Gucci bag, and black ballet flats during London Fashion Week

Neons

Neon colours are unmissable – borderline aggressive. Wear yours with pride knowing you’ve unapologetic nailed dopamine dressing.

Rugby Shirts

Rugby shirts, also known as polo shirts, probably remind the men in your life of cold school mornings spent interlocked in a scrum on a muddy pitch. But they look oh-so cute and are easy to snap up in your local charity shop.

Bubble Silhouettes

With their billowing, cloud-like silhouettes that often cinch at the hem and balloon at the hips, bubble silhouettes demands to be worn when you’re feeling audacious.

Bold Florals

Extravagant florals, the kind that resemble your grandmother’s curtains, radiate chintzy-chic. Ideal for spring and undeniably romantic. Time for your wardrobe to bloom.

Nightwear as Outerwear

Bed jackets and nightgowns are some of my favourite pieces to pluck from the thrift store. Do they make me look like a Victorian ghost child? Yes – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Statement Shoes

Potentially the greatest man-repellent to exist? A great pair of statement shoes. Be them chunky Buffalo platforms or these Acne Studios strap sandals, there is nothing that sparks joy quite like some killer kicks.

Funky Hair Accessories

Innovative hair pieces, be them clips or in this instance padlocks, are bound to attract compliments from female passersby. Unique and playful in the extreme.

Balloon Pants

Primed for bloated period days and sporty dressers, balloon pants are a hot contender for being the next ‘big thing’ in fashion.

Cargo Pants

Cargo pants? Check. Camo print? Check. Baggy silhouette? Check. The ultimate sartorial recipe for deterring the male eye.

Cottagecore

One of the OG ‘cores,’ cottagecore embodies all things countryside chic. Think floral embroidering, lace trims, leg of mutton sleeves and cult-inspired cuts. Adorable.

Colourful Tights

A staple on the London fashion scene, bright tights ensure you bring the party with you wherever you walk. Extra points for lace renditions.

Metallics

Futuristic fashion remains a failsafe conversation starter. We love a lick of high-shine style – very Sixties, very Rabanne, very youthquake.

Kitsch Knitwear

Beloved by the likes of Princess Diana and Harry Styles, kitsch knitwear never fails to tease a smile. Take it from S.S. Daley – the nostalgic trend is very much here to stay.

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