How to Style Oversized Clothing Without Losing Your Shape

Nowadays, oversized clothing is everywhere– on runways, street-style blogs, and pretty much all over Instagram. I totally get the hype, obviously. Baggy, relaxed fits are insanely comfortable and make you look so effortless and so cool. But to be honest, pulling off oversized clothing can be trickier than it looks. Most of the time, you just end up looking kind of…. sloppy. 

Personally, my obsession with styling oversized clothing started off with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. The twins were the queens of boho-meets-oversized-everything in the 2000s– giant scarves, baggy sweaters, and coats that looked three sizes too big but they just worked. 

But let me tell you. My early attempts? Total failure. I would look like I stole clothes from someone three sizes bigger. I kept wondering, “HOW do those Instagram models do it??”

So like any desperate fashion lover, I did what we all do- spent way too much time scrolling fashion forums and asking for tips on Reddit and testing out every trick in the book. And after two years of trial and error, I've finally figured out what truly works and what doesn't. 

If you're someone like me who loves oversized fashion but still wants to keep some shape, I've got some tips up my sleeve that actually work. 

1) It's About the Fit, not Just the Size. 

When I first got into wearing oversized clothes, I made the classic rookie mistake. I thought oversized meant just buying everything a size or two bigger. Safe to say, that did not work out. E.g I wore this huge hoodie once, thinking it would give me that cool streetwear vibe. Instead, I looked like a walking pillow. I learnt then that fit matters more than size. Your clothing has to be loose in the right place. 

Oversized pieces aren't just about being big- they're designed to be loose while still having some structure. E.g an oversized blazer will always look better than just grabbing a blazer two sizes up, you get me? One is designed to fit you in a slouchy, effortless way while the other just looks…. wrong. 

Try it out yourself. Get an oversized sweater that is meant to be oversized, and drape it on- it will look loose but still flattering. Same with boyfriend jeans. A well-cut pair will be relaxed but still give you some shape, unlike sizing up regular jeans, which can make you look boxy. 

2) Pick Fabrics That Work With You, Not Against You

Another mistake when I tried oversized clothes was that I completely overlooked fabric. I'd go for chunky sweaters or huge denim jackets, thinking the more fabric, the better. I learnt too late that heavier fabrics add extra bulk and not in the cool, stylish way I was going for. 

I wanted my oversized pieces to feel easy and flattering. So I started searching for fabrics that would add structure without being too stiff. I tried on cotton, linen, and jersey— and they made all the difference. They flow. They move. They work with your body and not against it. E.g one plain oversized white cotton shirt, draped loosely over blue bell-bottoms give you so much more shape without adding extra bulk to your look. 

3)  Start With ONE Oversized Piece 

Oversized clothing is so addictive that it's easy to want to go ALL in. We all want to channel our inner Billie Eillish, I get it. But, trust me, if you throw an oversized top, oversized pants, and oversized jacket all at once, you'll just end up looking like a walking fabric store. 

My advice, start with just ONE oversized piece, keep the rest of the outfit fitted and shaped so you don't lose all your proportions. E.g if I have to wear a baggy sweater, I try to balance it out with fitted jeans underneath or leggings to keep things from getting out of control. 

If I want my bottoms loose, e.g in wide-leg trousers, I'd try to wear a fitted top or a tucked tank top, or a lightly fitted blouse. This way, the baggy piece gets to shine but you still keep a nice, defined shape. 

In any case, don't be afraid to try things on. Some of your favourite outfits will come from trying weird combinations. Play with proportions, and have fun, but keep it balanced! 

4)  Try Out Different Ways to Define Your Waist

Another sure-shot way to make your outfit look flattering is by cinching your waist. Turns out, there is more than just one way to define your waist. Let's break it down. 

• BELTS! Belts are a classic. I can't tell you how many times I've saved an outfit by simply throwing on a belt. You could use a fancy statement belt or a simple, minimal one, it depends on the outfit. From oversized blazers, to baggy shirts, to baggy dresses, belts bring so much shape to your waist. 

• Drawstrings. These work especially great with lightweight coats or dresses that you can tie in at the waist and bring it in a bit. I've got some sleeveless bomber jackets with drawstring closure that I style over a tight top and tight jeans and it brings the whole look down smoothly. 

• If you don't want to use a belt or a drawstring, simply tie a knot at the waist by grabbing a bit of the fabric.  This is a pretty old trick and works great with oversized cotton shirts. It instantly gives you some shape without looking too constricted. 

• Tuck it in- one of the best ways to define your waist in a loose fit is to simply tick it in your jeans (either fully or just halfway) it will define your waistline while still keeping the shirt’s relaxed vibe. You can do this with baggy sweaters too

• Wear HIGH-WAISTED pants. They will not only define your waist but also elongate your legs and give your outfit a polished vibe without killing your comfort. High-waisted pants or jeans look absolutely amazing with loose-knit sweaters, baggy T-shirts, etc. Add in a belt, tuck it in, and you're good to go. 
  
  
  

5)  Don't Be Afraid to Show Some Skin 

That's right. One thing I've learnt while experimenting with loose fits is that showing a little bit of skin here and there can enhance your shape. For example, I love styling oversized shirts or sweaters, but sometimes, I'll roll up the sleeves or unbutton the top few buttons of my shirt to show a bit of collarbone or wrist. It gives the outfit a relaxed, yet feminine feel. Similarly, a crop top over baggy pants shows your defined midriff. 

If I'm wearing a long trench coat, or a long dress, I usually keep my legs bare or wear my sheer tights to keep the look flowing. 

6) Layering Over Your Baggy Clothes 

It's important to talk about layering when we're styling oversized clothes. If we want our shape to show through, we've to choose our layers a bit more thoughtfully. You've to make sure each piece has a purpose. When I layer, I make sure one piece is structured, and the other is flowy, or oversized. 

I've found that having the outer layer more baggy and loose gives your look more definition. For e.g I love throwing on a loose, oversized blazer or a long, flowy trench coat over a tightly fitted top or turtleneck. The slim-fit top keeps my shape defined while the baggy outerwear adds a comfortable, relaxed look. 

If you want to layer over a flowy dress, a slim-fit coat or long boots that hug your legs can add shape and dimension.

7) Choose the Right Accessories

With oversized clothes, here's what helps in your accessories. You can mix, match, experiment as per your personal wishes but this is what really worked for me:

• SHADES—- slim shaped or cat-eye sunglasses. Total win. They're a smooth contrast to your otherwise loose look.

• BAGS— a structured handbag or Crossbody. The shape of the bag will break the bulkiness of the rest of your outfit. Let the color of the bag pop against your clothes. 

• SHOES– flowy dress? I'd go for long boots that hug my legs. Or pointed toe pumps. Fitted tank top over baggy mom jeans? Chunky sneakers are a win. Choose shoes that add shape to the outfit. 

• SCARVES— long, slim scarves are a helpful add-on when I want my torso to look elongated. Or, I could tie a silk scarf around my bare neck to bring some attention to my skin. 

• Minimal, cute Jewellery with oversized clothing. It will complement the clothes and not compete with them. 
  
  

THERE YOU GO,

Hopefully after checking out these tips, you won't have to suffer from the same fashion fails like I did. Remember , while these tips work great for me, you don't have to adhere to everything you read online word to word. For fashion, there are no hard and fast rules and you can always experiment and find combinations that make you feel most confident. The key is to have fun and make it your own!

At Lux Lair, there are multiple pre-owned luxury outfits for you to check out! We've got some great loose fits in here that you can mix and match and find your own signature style.