The Weeknd’s much-anticipated collection with H&M launches online and in-stores today, March 2. It’s officially a menswear collection, but that doesn’t mean it’s off limits to everyone else. The ELLE Canada team got a preview of the clothing before it hit stores, and edited it down to the most-wearable items. Below, we review the pieces and discuss what “menswear dressing” means in 2017. 

 

Elaine Jyll Regio, market editor

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Left: The Weeknd. Right: Elaine tries the viscose blend twill jacket by H&M paired with black skinny jeans and a studded belt. Image by: Benjamin Reyes

Is the term “menswear-dressing” outdated?

Even the terms unisex and androgyny sound a little outdated. Clothing is so fluid these days.

Did you find the clothes difficult to style?

Most of the items were easy to incorporate into a look, even the tailored trousers. It’s just a matter of belting, cuffing and tucking the right way. 

Would you wear your item of clothing again in real life? 

The hoodie, yes, but the blazer was just a tad too wide on the shoulders. 

Anything else you want to add? 

Loved the palette of the collection and the hoodie was super comfy!

 

Carli Whitwell, Special Project Editor

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Carli tries on the cotton sweatshirt by H&M over a pearl-peter-pan collar blouse. Image by: Benjamin Reyes

Is the term “menswear-dressing” outdated?

Yes! It’s the fashion-vocab equivalent of “squad goals.” We must let this term die. Also one to put down: “borrowed from the boys.”

What would you call it instead? 

Hmm, perhaps unisex or fluid? Maybe Miuccia Prada said it best, “I think to people, not to gender.”

Did you find the clothes difficult to style?

No way! As soon as I saw them, I had a hundred outfit ideas pop into my head. The T-shirts were my favourite; I imagined tucking them into high-waisted jeans or culottes. Also the overcoat, which sadly I didn’t get to try on, would go perfectly over a really feminine floral dress. It would be like Bender from The Breakfast Club meets Blossom.

Would you wear your item of clothing again in real life? 

The sweater, for sure. I would style it with everything from my three-quarter pleated leather skirt to my ancient 7 for all Mankind jean shorts. The jeans were a bit baggy on me, so I’d have to tailor them, but the length and the frayed hem would be ideal to wear with a pair of slides come summer.

Anything else you want to add?

My favourite is to buy men’s white shirts in a size small; they are the perfect amount of slouchy for me.  

 

Liz Guber, associate fashion editor 

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Left: The Weeknd. Right: Liz tries on the bomber jacket by H&M with a sheer fishnet top, a midi dress and a single earring. Image by: Benjamin Reyes

Is the term “menswear-dressing” outdated?

Probably. Though I do think it will continue to be used for some time to describe a look of oversized, boxy, and traditionally “boyish” clothes — it’s an easy to understand shorthand. 

What would you call it instead? 

Genderless, or androgynous. Though I don’t think that the way I dress necessarily fall under that term, heh.

Did you find the clothes difficult to style?

I loved the idea of the denim and the hoodies, but wearing something oversized often makes me feel like the clothes are wearing me (though I love the look on other people, see: Elaine). Jackets are a different story, and I’d argue they’re the easiest way to pull off the oversized, borrowed-from-my-boyfriend look. The jacket dressed down my fancy LBD nicely, but I could also see myself wearing it with a black culottes or vintage denim.

Would you wear your item of clothing again in real life? 

Probably, though the large XO on the back is a little to overt for my style. I don’t own a bomber jacket (you don’t rule me, trends!) so it was fun to play with the silhouette. 

Anything else you want to add? 

It’s so normal to just walk into a store and shop from the mens and womenswear sections without giving it much thought. Wear what you like, even if the fit is a little “off”—that’s what makes it cool. 

Photography by Benjamin Reyes; Styled by Elaine Regio. Shot in the ELLE Canada Closet.