December 2025
Husband Corner - a look at the shared pieces between two closets.
Welcome back!
This month I’m writing about something I’ve been calling Husband Corner—the small but meaningful overlap between my wardrobe and my husband’s. I may not have mentioned, but my husband is my editor. Each month he gives me a helpful lecture on comma usage and then will say something along the lines of, “why aren’t you showing how many times you borrowed my coat?”.
Womenswear loves to market “boyfriend” everything, but if you want that oversized, lived-in fit, you’ll get a more honest version buying true menswear than anything filtered through marketing copy. Even better, skip full price retail all together and buy secondhand—my best finds are from a Polo Ralph Lauren saved search on TheRealReal.
This theme also exposes a blind spot in my own data. I track everything I buy, wear, and sell, but I don’t track any of the clothing I share with my husband. These pieces show up in my outfits and in my day-to-day style, yet they’re technically invisible in the spreadsheet. They sit in that strange corner of wardrobe analytics where personal style and shared life overlap.
So let’s get into it.
Knitwear
Knitwear is our most shared category. Between us we have three Polo Ralph Lauren cashmere cable knit sweaters—all found secondhand. I bought this L.L.Bean fisherman sweater in 2019, and my husband owns this J.Press shaggy dog crewneck. I also have an archive of vintage Woolrich knitwear that we both reach for in the winter months.
What I love most is how the same garment plays two completely different roles depending on who’s wearing it. He’s very classic prep—oxfords, crew-neck sweaters, khakis, boat shoes—while I’m usually aiming somewhere between minimal and “Olsen-adjacent.” For example, he buys a sweater that fits him perfectly and wears it over a button-up shirt, but on me it’s oversized and baggy (my preferred fit) and doesn’t look as preppy paired with cargo pants.
Outerwear
I own a fair amount of outerwear myself, but menswear tends to offer more when it comes to functionality. Namely, pockets! So many pockets—for my phone, my wallet, my car keys—that I can skip a bag entirely if I want. His trench coat has this architectural, slightly overwhelming silhouette I love, and a removable zip-off flannel lining. Genius.
My husband owns two Barbour jackets and a Brooks Brothers trench that I routinely steal. Barbour, in particular, is a perfect example of a garment that shapeshifts depending on who’s wearing it—classic and preppy on him, intentionally oversized and utilitarian on me. I now own my own olive Barbour, but still reach for his on occasion. The data may not capture it, but these jackets have quietly become some of my most reliable fall and spring layers.
Shirting
Shirting is where the “borrowed-from-the-boys” idea really makes sense. Oversized womenswear tends to nip at the waist or the sleeves are too tight to roll multiple times, but a men’s oxford or poplin button-down? Perfect. I’ll wear one half-tucked with trousers or loose and oversized under a sweater. Meanwhile, my husband wears the exact same shirts the way they were originally intended: crisp, tucked in, layered under a crewneck or vest. After a few seasons my husband will pass his old shirts to me. Sometimes I tie dye them or just wear them for layering only if they’ve seen better days. Also, old shirts make the best beach cover-ups!
And with that, let’s take a look back at November.
What I Bought Last Month
This Toteme quilted vest was on my “seasons part” wishlist that I have given myself approval to purchase if they show up on TheRealReal.
As far as seasonal sales —I’ve stocked up on some activewear and bought two things from my wishlist that went on discount. I tried on these Bally loafers a few months ago and decided that if I still wanted them and they went on sale I would get them. They were definitely worth the wait.
It’s getting harder to find natural fiber sweaters that are not $500+ but this 100% wool Everlane sweater caught my eye. I’ve been looking for something similar but didn’t want to spend designer money.
What I Sold Last Month
I love all of these items but none of them fit quite right even after some tailoring magic. You can’t win ‘em all!
Most Worn Items Last Month
It’s been a very earthy-colored Fall for me and I’m back to wearing trousers day in and day out. Dresses have gone to ground and outwear is back. I don’t track accessories as closely as I do clothing so what’s not represented here are the scarves and necklaces I’ve been layering on to add color and texture to my outfits.
See you next month year!
Lauryn
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Love this, and the sentiment about a shared life 💕