Tee Squared: How to Style an Oversized T-Shirt

Many pre-adolescent dipped their toes into the glam pond by dipping their toes into their mothers’ heels and draping an XXXL t-shirt over them to approximate the glamour of a gown. While (we hope) most of you have matured beyond hazardously oversized shoes, the oversized tee has some potential for current closet rotation. You can be slouchy and cozy in time for Fall, rock out the last shreds of summer in the desert, get your back-to-school nerd on, or channel the alt-rock kid hanging out in the back-of-the-school. This chameleonesque universality is what makes the oversized t-shirt great…if you pair it with the right accessories, of course. 

Whatever look you’re going for, the truth is you’ll be daring to shroud yourself in meters and meters of jersey, so rule number one is of course: belts, belts, belts! Giving yourself shape is a cinch with the literal cinch of a statement belt around your waist or slinking off your hips. Whether you stack skinny, sizzling strips, sway loose chains further down, or wrap your waist in wide, wearable corsetry, emphasize the hourglass while staying cool and casual. 

Thinking more vertically, choosing a statement necklace can help balance the lines of your look by emphasizing the length and distracting from the width of boxier, baggier t-shirts. Cropped jackets as well can anchor your look (though, up top) curving over your shoulders and clinging to your arms to give tension between the loose and the locked in your silhouette. 

If you are wearing an oversized t-shirt in lieu of a dress, lean into your legs. Thigh-high boots, statement leggings, or tantalizing tights can all support a blousy, billowing tee. It’s wise to opt for basic black to allow the top to be the star or steal focus with neon or boldly patterned drainpipes.  

If you want to evoke that pure hipster/Coachella girl/marketing associate/Burning (Wo)Man/serial dater/interested in an ayahuasca retreat vibe, an oversized tee is the blank canvas upon which to hang the accouterments of 2010s style signifiers: floppy black hat (vaguely witchy to help us into Autumn), delicate, geometric pendants dangling from chains dangling from tiny necks; John Lennon-esque circle shades in shades of purples and blues and greens and pinks; stacks on stacks on stacks of rings; off-track combat boots; medicine pouches filled with potions or cigarettes, and lacey, dressy bras meant to be exposed. Try out some of these ideas to tee off your oversized style.