A men's style on a woman and the other way round

Short answer: It works well on t-shirts, sweatshirts and nightwear where the cut is loose. It rarely works on underwear and trousers, where the gusset and hip differ.

What separates the cuts

Men's patterns are wider across the shoulders and straight at the waist. Women's patterns are narrower at the shoulder with more room over the hip. On loose garments the difference is barely noticeable, on close fitting ones it shows at once.

Where it works well

T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and sleep trousers are the easiest. Many people choose a men's t-shirt for a looser drape and more body length. See bamboo t-shirts for men and sweat clothing.

Where it does not work

Underwear is cut around completely different shapes. A men's style has room at the front, a women's style has a gusset and a different leg curve. Trousers differ in rise and hip. See bamboo underwear for women.

How to choose the size

Compare chest width in centimetres rather than the letter. A men's small often equals a women's medium or large in chest width. See bamboo clothing for men.

Frequently asked questions

Is nightwear the same for men and women

The cuts differ, but on loose styles size matters more than the pattern.

Can men wear women's styles

On loose tops yes. On close fitting ones the shoulder is too narrow.

Why are the sleeves too long

Because men's patterns assume longer arms at the same chest width.