When it comes to looking flawlessly perfect, size always matters. For a long time, custom fits and skin-tight clothes have dominated the fashion scene. But the latest trend is to go loose. It's time to bring out all those baggy t-shirts, slouchy coats, and slightly oversized dresses that have been hidden in one's closets for so long. Oversize is taking center stage this season, especially in fall and winter collections, for both men and women.
Oversized clothes, when worn in the right way, can look just as chic and smart as the more traditional fitted ones. These roomy garments were prominently featured on runways, with collections showcasing large shirts, tunics, skirts, pants, jackets, and dresses from designer labels like Gucci, Balenciaga, Chloe, and Moschino. Oversize fashion is breaking all the rules and prioritizing comfort. Now, you can indulge in your favorite dessert without worrying about squeezing into a tight dress.
Sizing up is the new trend, rather than sizing down. But the key to standing out while wearing oversized clothing is to wear it right. For women, achieving the look often involves blending a tomboyish style with a touch of femininity. There are various styling options to experiment with when going big. One rule of thumb for oversized dressing is to keep the bottoms slim, whether that means wearing tights, stockings, or fitted trousers when the top is generously proportioned. Conversely, if you opt for bulkier bottoms like balloon skirts, flared palazzo pants, or Bermuda shorts, keeping the top more fitted will help balance the overall look.
There's a wide array of oversized clothing options to choose from. For women, these options include boyfriend shirts, buffalo plaid ponchos, oversized sweaters and jackets, slouchy t-shirts, oversized cardigans, and blazers. Big and long denim vests are also considered a must-have. In fact, oversized men's coats are predicted to be a major trend for the upcoming fall/winter season. Brands like Trussardi, Chanel, Michael Kors, and Christopher Kane have showcased interesting closures in neutral and dark shades in their runway collections this year.
To add a bit of shape and structure to oversized garments, consider accessorizing with a belt or tucking in the top. Petite women should generally avoid oversized bottoms and instead opt for larger tops. Fully figured women should avoid anything too wide, as this can work against them.
With oversized clothing, the mantra is "less is more" when it comes to accessories. It's better to keep accessories minimal. Instead of shoulder bags and totes, opt for cute clutch bags. Keep footwear simple, avoiding overly chunky or extravagant options. Chunky and grungy boots, for example, can enhance the silhouette of the outfit. The oversized trend is gradually gaining popularity, and you can find large clutches, watches, hats, earrings, and bags to complement the look.
The men's fashion is also buzzing with oversized clothes. Larger than the normal-sized coats, and voluminous jackets, ran the shows at fashion weeks. Baggy jeans and loose t-shirts have been a staple with menswear for the longest of times. But this season, it is wide sweaters, loose shirts, and relaxing pajama styled pants that are creating new style waves. Baggy but cropped cotton pants are preferred for the summer, while the winter look includes large silhouetted woolen cardigans, puffy round sleeved jackets, and huge eccentric collared coats.
Oversized leather jackets are a big hit too. However, the shorts and trousers still remain fitted for men. Accessorizing the whole look with caps, shoes with a little pattern, leather belts, and pop-colored watches will help break the monotony. The colors for men are hues in neutrals, navy blues, browns, blacks, and anything that camouflages well.
The oversized trend is being embraced by trendsetters, and has carved a place for itself among men and women, of all sizes and shapes. The ultra comfort fit and soft coziness of garments makes it most suitable for winters. It might take time for the fashion conscious, to bid adieu to skinny jeans and fitted co*cktails or couture suits, but once they slip into a big piece of cloth, all the inhibitions will vanish.
Designers are making sure that oversize must not look sloppy, and believe in giving the fabrics a certain weight and quality, so that the fall looks beautiful. Fuller tailoring is less grungy and lazy, more chic and feminine, and is back but only with more dainty cuts and patterns.
The flexibility of wearing an oversized garment is attracting designers to explore this lucrative trend. The change began with big, bulky, and sculptural coats that gradually caught on to the rest of the trend. The biggest benefit of oversized fashion is that it fits any figure. Dressing over proportion is making its way in fashion and is a rising trend, be it from street wear to couture, from relaxing holiday wear to formal wear, from casual wear to the red carpet, everyone seems to be sporting it.
References:
1. Fashionbeans.com
2. Youlookfab.com
3. Artofwore.com
4. Smh.com
