Why The Oversized Shirt Is The Perfect Piece Right Now

Fashion-wise, February is a kind of a no-man’s land; it’s neither sales time nor the beginning of a new season.

Shopping for summery clothes feels short-sighted (how much value will you really get out of a skimpy singlet?). Yet the prospect of browsing new-season knits feels uninspiring (and, frankly, a little too organised: who knows what we’ll all be doing and wearing in 2021?)

All of which might help explain the rise of the oversized shirt AKA the perfect trans-seasonal piece – a chic staple that won’t date, and is as useful for work as it is at the beach on the weekend.

“Oversized shirts are great because they’re comfortable and easy to wear but still pulled together enough for work or working at home.” says stylist Lucy Wood, who points to LMND, Blanca and Caes as brands currently offering a range of great oversized shirts.

Even before the pandemic, a crisp white shirt radiated laid-back chic. These days, it’s the perfect work-from-home piece, easily thrown on before a Zoom call for instant polish.

The key is the fit – or rather the lack of it. “The slimmer, closely fitted shirts feel dated at the moment. It’s more of an oversized, man-style silhouette right now,” says Lucy, who suggests pairing this season’s shirts with slouchy tailored trousers during the week or with shorts on the weekend. “You can also wear them open with a tank underneath or if you’re a fan of dresses and skirts, you can tie a shirt over the top.”

Here’s Lucy’s edit…

(Hero image supplied by Melbourne tailor E.  Nolan)