Blur the Lines and Create a Shared Wardrobe

Most of us have probably borrowed an item or two from our partner’s wardrobe – maybe they fit better than your own clothing, or maybe they just look better on you. Whatever the reason, we can agree that the lines between ‘menswear’ and ‘womenswear’ are becoming increasingly blurred, giving you the opportunity to create a, partly at least, shared wardrobe. At Care of Carl, we heartily encourage sharing, so in this list, we suggest clothing and accessories that are perfect for the man in your life, but even perfect for you.

The White Shirt

If we’re being honest, a white shirt is an essential part of anyone’s wardrobe, no matter their style and preferred fit. And with its eggshell white shade, this shirt from Denmark’s Sunflower goes with almost anything.

The Turtleneck

Whether it has a tailored or loose fit on you, a turtleneck jumper is one of the cornerstones of any complete wardrobe. Here, we have chosen a light-grey model in a recycled blend of wool and cashmere.

The Crewneck

Knitted crewnecks don’t come any softer than this alpaca and merino wool model from Sunflower. We think this olive-green shade works particularly well with a pair of blue, black, or white jeans, and since it may be a bit looser fitting on you, it will make for a warm and cosy companion for the winter months.

The Houndstooth Coat

This may well be the boldest item on our list, since wearing a coat that is slightly large often feels a bit odd. If you and your partner are of a similar size, however, it will be a worthwhile investment that will last for many years. A classic houndstooth pattern means this model from Baracuta suits just about anything, and a button at the cuff allows you to temporarily shorten the sleeves, if need be.

The White T-Shirt

A decent white t-shirt needs no introduction. We have chosen a slightly wider model with a somewhat higher neckline, which we think adds even more versatility. Great as an underlayer, the white t-shirt also looks excellent together with jeans and sneakers.

The Cap

Since caps can be adjusted to fit different head sizes, they are a great accessory for sharing. We have chosen a navy-blue model from Varsity, which is produced in a wool and cashmere blend from Italian specialist Loro Piana.

The Cashmere Scarf

There’s no doubt that scarves are the accessory that most easily lends itself to sharing. Cashmere not only keeps you warm, but also offers a feel of genuine luxury. A two-toned beige design like this one harmonises with most colours and can be worn however you like – wrapped, knotted, or just casually slung around the neck.

The Selvedge Jeans

Selvedge jeans can be turned-up almost as far as you like without looking strange – the Selvedge seam along the inner seam instead adds a pleasing visual touch. Nor does it matter if you use a belt to keep them up, should they be a bit large. If you both wear the same jeans, they will more quickly acquire a characterful patina.

The Tote Bag

A good tote bag should be able to swallow everything from a laptop to a lunchbox. Porter-Yoshida & Co. creates durable nylon bags that both of you will appreciate for years to come. Which of you gets to use it for their daily commute is up to you.