8 Effortless and Sexy Ways to Wear an Oversize Shirt (Plus One Look That's a Total No-No)
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We’ve said it time and time again: The oversize shirt is a workhorse in our capsule wardrobe. It’s comfy, it’s spacious and it emits a cool nonchalance when styled with with sundresses, cargo pants, trousers, jeans, skirts and countless other pieces. However, billowing button-up shirts can occasionally veer sloppy—especially when proportions are askew—or end up looking like a beach cover-up instead of a wispy, makeshift mini dress. Read on for eight chic ways to wear an oversize shirt that are anything but frumpy, plus one look that’s *so* four years ago.
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1. Make Like Carrie Bradshaw and Belt It into a Dress
Getty Images / Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin
If we learned anything while watching Sex and the City for the umpteenth time, sometimes less is more. Simplify getting dressed by sticking to *only* your oversize button-up shirt, plus a belt at your narrowest part to cinch you in at the waist and keep your impromptu shirtdress from looking like you forgot your pants while running out the door. This look works with every button-down regardless of the print or color. Finish it off with a strappy heeled sandal and tousled, wind-swept hair.
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Banana Republic
The Oversized Shirt
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Lulus
Aribaa Nude Lace-Up High Heel Sandals
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Mango
Textured Square Buckle Belt
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Zara
Oversized Striped Oxford Shirt
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Revolve
B-Low the Belt Milla Belt
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Dolce Vita
Malabo Heels
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2. Break Up a Double Denim ‘Fit with a Belt
Paris Fashion Week surprised us with a micro trend we never thought would make its way to the City of Love: Canadian tuxedos. We’re taking a page from their French fashion book and tucking an oversize denim shirt into a pair of straight-leg jeans for a double denim ‘fit that looks well-balanced. You get the billowy sleeves and volume up top from the roomy blouse, plus the slim cut of the pants will make it look like you have legs for days. Don’t forget to break up the sea of denim with a classic, black belt for an elevated, modern look.
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Anthropologie
By Anthropologie Structured Keeper Belt
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Frank & Eileen
Shirley Oversized Button-Up Shirt
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Abercrombie & Fitch
Ultra High-Rise 90s Straight Jean
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Banana Republic
Angolo Leather Belt
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Nordstrom
AllSaints Alba Oversized Denim Shirt
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3. Pair an Oversize Button-Down with Other Loose-Fitting Pieces
Go big or go home with a head-to-toe oversize ensemble. To avoid looking sloppy or like you’re drowning in excess fabric, pay attention to proportion and fit: Consider tucking in half of the button-up into your jeans to highlight your waist and find a jacket with a similar length as your shirt if you can. Lastly, opt for relaxed wide-leg jeans that aren’t too baggy to keep from looking shapeless.
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Kohls
Levi’s Faux Leather Vintage Collared Shirt Jacket
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Everlane
The Relaxed Oxford Shirt
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Revolve
Agolde Dame Wide-Leg Jeans
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4. Couple It with Boxer Shorts and Kitten Heels for an Unlikely Blend
For spring, we’re enjoying how carefree an oversize shirt looks when styled with boxer shorts and comfortable kitten heels. Feel free to wear a matching set or add a beachy twist to it by leaving a white button-up shirt undone over a white tank top. Wondering how to add a fashionable flair? Look for colorful heels that will make the casual fit feel dressier.
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GAP
Organic Cotton Big Shirt
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Madewell
Supima Rib Cutaway Tank
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Nordstrom Rack
Berness Regina Slingback Pump
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DSW
Journee Collection Rishie Pump
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Anthropologie
By Anthropologie Boxer Shorts
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J.Crew
End-on-End Cotton Boxer Short
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Amazon
Sandery Tank Top
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5. Tie Your Oversize Shirt in a Knot
When it comes to our oversize shirts, this may be one of the few instances when we want to get things twisted. Loop that excess fabric into a knot just below your chest and watch how you go from drab to fab. The gathering can help pull everything together and even show off a little skin in the process.
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ASOS
Polo Ralph Lauren Script Logo Twill Baseball Cap
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Bloomingdale’s
French Connection Relaxed Oxford Shirt
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Everlane
The Way-High Curve Jean
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Nordstrom
Astra Chelsea Boot
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6. Elevate an Otherwise Basic Outfit with Standout Accessories
We love a tried-and-true uniform just as much as the next person, so we’ll always gravitate to the reliable pairing of an oversize white shirt and blue jeans, especially when the denim has a mid- or low-rise, slouchy fit. To elevate this rather simple pairing, finish off your look with more glamorous accessories like strappy black heels.
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ASOS
Oxford Shirt
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Revolve
Citizens of Humanity Ayla Baggy Cuffed Crop
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Revolve
Tony Bianco Caden Heel
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AllSaints
Bettina Leather Clutch Bag
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Revolve
Helsa Poplin Lace Back Shirt
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7. Have Fun Mixing Fabrics
An oversize button-down in a crisp cotton plays beautifully with contrasting fabrics like leather (or faux leather). Coupling the traditional cloth and structured silhouette of an Oxford shirt with a rock ‘n’ roll-inspired material below creates a fortuitous balance between the soft and grunge, marrying the two opposing fashions rather beautifully. This pairing is a bit of a dark horse, giving you plenty of variations depending on how you style it. For day, dress it down with comfortable sneakers and a work tote bag, then undo a few top buttons and spruce it up with stilettos and a slinky baguette bag for a cheeky nightcap.
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Reformation
Will Oversized Shirt
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Saks Off 5th
City Mist Faux Leather Midi Skirt
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Reformation
Medium Vittoria Tote Bag
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Eyebuydirect
Winona Oval Black Sunglasses
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DSW
Journee Collection Akza Mule
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8. Use a Big Shirt to Lean Into Cowboy Core
Cowboy boots, mom-fit cut-off denim shorts and an oversize button-up may seem wrong, but we assure you it’s oh-so right. Western-inspired fashion is everywhere right now, thanks to Beyoncé, who sparked the cowboy core craze when she released two singles from her upcoming album, Cowboy Carter. Rustic yet classy, this leggy look feels unexpectedly fresh.
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Anthropologie
English Factory Puff-Sleeve Button Down
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Nordstrom
Jeffrey Campbell Dagget Western Boot
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Revolve
Agolde Stella Short
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Everlane
The A-Line Denim Short
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Coach
Organic Cotton Denim Shorts
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One Look to Skip: An Oversize Shirt with Bike Shorts
It seems like just yesterday we were sporting Oxford shirts, bike shorts and dad sneakers, and while we continue to have a soft spot in our hearts (and closets!) for all those pieces individually, we’re no longer wearing them together. Those quarantine days spent in back-to-back Zoom meetings and trudging through at-home workouts are a thing of the past, so we’ll gladly wear any one of the previous outfit ideas in their place.
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