Forget floral dresses – the oversized shirt is summer’s new key piece
If you’re looking for an easy outfit formula this summer, the A-list might just have hit on it. Easy to wear when it’s sunny, or when it’s cool, or even when it’s in-between, consider this the Goldilocks of your wardrobe. What are we talking about? The oversized shirt, of course, that suiting staple borrowed from the boys and made disarmingly chic by the girls.
Just ask actress Katie Holmes, who has been a long-time champion of the look, pairing hers variously with mom jeans or paperbag shorts, in crisp white cotton or wide-striped linen, whether in Paris or Manhattan. Then there’s Jennifer Lawrence, that other disciple of polished yet easy style, who has been spotted running errands in an oversized men’s shirt styled with baggy jeans or cotton boxer shorts.
Other fans of the look include Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner, who wore a green gingham Nobody’s Child shirt with a Peter Pan collar for a date at the polo earlier this summer. And when the patron saint of cool, Alexa Chung, is also in on the trend, wearing several iterations in quick succession, then you know you’re on to a fashion winner.
“When the temperatures rise it is no surprise that oversized shirts become everyone’s summer uniform; loose, light and most essential – both office and beach appropriate,” says Pip Durell, the founder of the shirting brand With Nothing Underneath, beloved by celebrities spanning from Jerry Hall to the Duchess of Sussex. “Linens, cottons, hemps – whatever your preference in summer material – the throw-on nature of the shirt makes for the ultimate summer look. Paired with denim, a bikini, a sarong or tailored shorts, it’s a versatile basic that will completely lend itself to your personal style and how you want to wear it.”
“The oversized shirt is a great summer wardrobe staple as it can be used as a dress or even a cover-up over a bathing suit,” agrees Ga?lle Drevet, the founder of The Frankie Shop, whose Liu poplin striped style is a favourite of fashion editors. “It’s cool yet chic and more interesting than a simple sarong. The collar adds an instant elevated touch. It’s a less girly summer option that will add a little edge to your vacation looks.”
For a quiet luxury look, channel ‘90s style star Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. She often wore hers slightly unbuttoned at the top and the bottom, and almost never tucked in, and would team the shirt with drainpipe denim or cream-coloured trousers, for a low-key summer aesthetic. On the beach, your pin-up is Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr Ripley, who throws hers on after a swim – or a romp with Jude Law’s character. Combine the two looks by wearing yours over a bodysuit tucked into tailored culottes, with the shirt layered over the top.
In terms of jewellery, keep it simple, with statement gold, or follow Alexa Chung’s lead with a rope pendant – one of this season’s accessory trends. And when it comes to your choice of bra, a softer, longline lace style will look very chic peeping out the top of a slightly unbuttoned shirt.
When looking for your perfect shirt, ensure it’s oversized by looking at the shape – it might sound obvious, but you don’t want anything too fitted or tailored for a woman, or it defeats the object. “What makes a nice oversized shirt is how boxy it is – literally, think about a box and embrace the silhouette,” advises Drevet. “I would stick to everyday colours like white, blue, or simple thin stripes. But a touch of pink is always fun.”
The up-and-down weather this summer is undoubtedly another reason for the big shirt’s recent boom in popularity. Getting dressed becomes particularly tricky if you can expect to encounter all four seasons in one day. Durell has noticed a spike in sales of her summer styles this year, up 90 per cent compared to last year. “There has been a particular rise in our seersuckers this year,” she notes of her crinkled cotton fan favourite.
The final detail? Whether you choose to roll your sleeves up or not. “The detail of a batwing sleeve is very important and looks even nicer when you roll the sleeves for a casual chic vibe,” concludes Drevet. Linen styles are meant to look crumbled and relaxed, so you can always unroll them later on if you change your mind, but with cotton, it’s best to make a decision and stick to it, to avoid looking like you forgot to iron it.
