How Do You Deal With An Oversized Shirt?

It’s impossible to exaggerate the stylish power of the big shirt. It’s everything the perfect clothing should be: comfy, adaptable, fashionable and acceptable to dress up or down. It’s all these traits that make it such a perpetually popular item (which just so happens to also be trendy right now). Worn most commonly in fall and winter where extra covering is the norm, this baggy shirt design has a seemingly unlimited range of choices. Below, we’ve come up with recommendations on how to wear big shirts with significant effect. From work to weekend, there’s an outfit suggestion for every mood and situation below.

1. The Oversized Shirt + Sweater Vest Combo

Preppy, sophisticated and full with personality, the oversized shirt and sweater vest combo is the perfect way to translate ’80s throwback style into the current day. Choose a regular-fit vest for the right proportional balance: A overly fitting vest will break the flowing lines of the big top, while a very baggy vest will make the overall ensemble feel put-together. As far as colors, there’s no limit here: Match the vest and shirt color for a pleasing neutral style; go with contrasting hues for a more eye-catching aesthetic; or choose for print in either the shirt or vest for extra contrast. As far as lengths: If the shirt is tucked out, keep the vest a touch shorter for a look that’s casually layered, rather than bunchy.

2. Head-to-Toe Denim

When thinking of an enormous shirt, it’s impossible not to think of denim. A silky jean shirt in an enormous design may be combined indefinitely. But one very popular technique is yet another throwback trend: denim on denim. All sorts of jeans are being coupled with denim shirts—and even denim jackets on top—both in monochromatic tones for a full “tuxedo” impression, or in contrasting hues or washes. This puts us right back to Y2K days, with countless red carpets and magazines loaded with celebrities rocking head-to-toe denim costumes with recklessness. Twenty years later, the “jean suit” is back—and it happens to look as current as ever.

3. The Oversized Shirt Dress

Take the oversized shirt trend to the next level (or, really, length) with the oversized shirt dress. The variety of ways to wear this fashion staple is extensive. Keep it simple with sandals and hoop earrings; add an edgy belt and leather boots for a more current style; or put leggings beneath for an effortlessly sporty appeal. Opt for a swingy oversized dress in a neutral tone for traditional appeal, or try vivid colors and designs for a more statement-making look. This four-season closet classic is adaptable enough to wear again and again, yet always looks new and fascinating.

Read Also: How To Style Oversized Shirts

4. An Essential Layer

If you’re in search of ideas on how to layer garments, then you need to include an enormous shirt to your wardrobe. When it comes to arranging an outfit, think of an oversized shirt as the go-to in lightweight, adaptable layering. It’s one of those comfortable, easy pieces that makes getting ready in the morning a lot simpler. Not only can an oversized shirt be worn alone but it may also be combined with slacks, a bralette and jeans or leggings. The larger-than-life shirt also works over a mini or midi dress—worn open over a graphic tee and paired with everything from shoes to high heels. This adaptability is what makes it an essential for nearly any event, from breakfast with friends to that major buy-in meeting.

5. It’s All About the French Tuck

A baggy shirt can be worn tucked or untucked. But when it comes to the former, tucking it all the way in typically distorts the fluid lines that make an oversized shirt so appealing in the first place. That said, there are perks to a tuck (like showing off a great belt, for one). That’s where the “French tuck” comes in. It’s easy to do: just tuck in the front, pull up a little bit from the hips so it’s not form-fitting to the body, and leave the back of the shirt tucked out. And voilà: enjoy a beautiful failsafe appearance with an easily laid-back charm.

Don’t Overlook the Oversized Shirt

A traditional wardrobe staple that works well on practically everyone, the oversized shirt is a trendy closet must. The nicest aspect about it is that there are so many possibilities for styling it, but the crucial thing to remember is not to think of it as “just a shirt.” It’s a lightweight layer that can top off a dress-and-heels appearance or complete a tee-and-jeans moment. And of course, it works nicely just on its own with trousers. Pick purchase a handful in a variety of colors (from neutrals to brights) and fabrics—like cotton, silk and classic denim—and watch the outfit options bloom.