There are a lot of reasons one might choose a particular outfit. It might be warm and/or comfy (she says typing away in her Fozzie Bear sweater). It might be uber flattering, showing off one's best features. Or it might be ultra trendy, which may something about the wearer.

Oversized clothes might make sense to be comfortable or to be trendy. Rarely are they flattering, if and when that matters to the wearer.

Some women look great in oversized clothing, others not so much. I fall in the not so much, I look frumpy and sloppy in oversized clothing, I think it is because I am naturally busty. A friend who is thin and has a small chest looks cute in an oversized sweater or blazer, she keeps the rest of her outfit fitted.

That is true about proportions, Jill and Nini… maybe this sweatshirt would look better with leggings than with the tapered Spanx pant I ordered to go with it. But then it is really too cropped for a true legging.

This is my Frankenstein amalgamation of the pants and sweatshirt I have, but the sweatshirt is bigger on me. Looking at this picture it looks… uninspired?

I’m going to have to play around with this before I decide on the top. This type of outfit is still kind of baffling me.

I'm too short, esp in the legs, so anything oversized looks like "wheres the shirt going with the girl". I also am hourglass shaped so anything that doesn't show I have a waistline makes me look even larger, especially with my large girls...I just get more volume all over.

I wear more fitted clothes these days but I still like some oversized looks -- there are two things that make them work for me: I have broad shoulders and hips to balance. I don't wear cropped but I have also stopped wearing very long tops or sweaters too (there are a few exceptions). It isnt so much about the trends but more about what feels good, looks good and fits my personal style.

I don't think the spanx top is oversized as much as boxy and relaxed. It is wide and short .. I don't love the proportions of it but I suspect it doesn't work for you because you don't have much in the way of hips. I also don't think the dolman sleeve and the pleat in the back help the shape of the top.

Here is another sweatshirt (not as refined as spanx) that IS oversized. Full disclosure, I love the fit of this sweatshirt and I have a few of them ... but this is all about comfort and an "easy" lifestyle. I am not going to say that I wouldn't ever wear it to run errands or pop into the market but it isnt really a look I'd wear "out". It is all about comfort and a perfect wfh on a day without video calls kind of look.

Not a stripe -- but I saw this on Chicos yesterday. It is a scuba knit and a little longer and more fitted but still a relaxed look. The wide collar bothers me a little bit but that too seems to be "in style" because I am seeing them everywhere.

Funky that pink sweatshirt is definitely something I see a lot of here particular ly so it looks like they have no pants on as the shorts are covered. That would be too much material for me but it is a popular look.

K, did your daughter not get the shopping gene? Both of mine have it. When I am wondering if something looks okay, I show it to them and they do not hesitate to let me know their opinion :)

I think you probably look fine in it but if it's uncomfortable then I would pass. I think I'd always be tugging at it on the back to be sure it wasn't riding up.

I definitely would not wear that short shirt with leggings. I bought two longer length linen shirts recently. Different shirts, but both have horizontal stripes. Both come down just below my rear-end. I am 5'3 but the shirts are flattering, i thinkly partly because of the stripes, which help lengthen my torso and because the sleeves are set-in and only slightly drop shoulder. They do not have the large armhole openings which allows too much fabric in that area. I will wear slim, above ankle pants with the shirts.

Dee has a good idea. Do you have someone who will give you an honest opinion on how the shirt looks?

Kswl, I just received my spanx order (actually, it arrived last night but i missed the text). First.. I LOVE the ae skort! It runs a bit more snug than the ae pants but that actually works better for me as the pants are *almost* too large (I was hesitant to go down a size). I also copied you and got the polo top! I definitely need to go down a size. It works ok if I tuck it in but still there is a generous amount of fabric especially at my underarms and waist.

The site noted that both the polo top and your sweatshirt run "slightly large" ... so maybe you just need to go down a size.

I am crossing fingers that the generous sizing carries forward to the striped boat neck top -- it is a smaller size than I would normally order but they are sold out everywhere. Crossing fingers (it arrives on Monday).

Maybe take a photo and share? We'll give you honest feedback on how it looks-- but at the end of the day, it has to feel good on AND make you feel good in it no matter how others think it looks!

gosh, it really is cute ... but I think way too big in the shoulders. That would drive me crazy. It is also generous through the body -- that bothers me less in a sweatshirt but I think you can easily go down a size and cross fingers that the length doesn't change much. I think the length is perfect.

I think that top is cute. Where are the sleeves supposed to fall length-wise? That will tell if the shoulders are too big. I don't think they are but......

I don't like oversized, baggy things either. I don't follow fashion trends and just wear what I like. That looks cute and doesn't look oversized to me - just loose and comfy vs. fitted. I think the shoulders are supposed to be dropped like that. A size smaller would probably be fine as long as it wasn't shorter. The length of this one is good.

The spanx Air Essentials fabric is light as a cloud but substantial. It doesn't flow or hang loosely like the oversized free people sweatshirt above which is very thin... which is why I am suggesting to size down (and why I will size down in the top I just received). If it was a thinner fabric, it would be fine as is. At least mine would be.

This is the area that is bothering me-- shoulders, upper chest, and upper arms. Any time you reach for something or draw your arm across, the fabric will kind of buckle. But you have been wearing the spanx air essentials longer than I have, kswl ... will it loosen up and drape better? If so, then I'd probably keep the size you have.

I think it's a cute casual look. The fit is the fit because that's the style. If it's comfy, I'd keep it.

I also don't like over sized, but a looser gut can be fine. Years back I usedbyo like things on the tighter size, my friend called it athletic fit.

Kswl, I'm on the fence with the striped sweater. Maybe it's the banded bottom?

I am happy with looser fitting jeans. Retiring my skinnies!

I don't think one would call that "oversized;" IME oversized is a much more exaggerated look.

I think it looks nice. It's sort of a staple. It should not be form fitting.

I agree with what basically everyone has said, that it all comes down to how the garment fits on your body, and body type matters a lot IMO. Accessories can make or break the look too.

KSWL, I see what you see. It's perfectly fine, but it's not a complete home run either. I keep so many clothes like that, that I think aren't perfect, but are perfectly fine - if that makes any sense at all. I agree that's more of a sweatshirt look and so it's not supposed to be very form fitting, but something about that red area Funky identified is just not exactly right - maybe it's the dropped shoulders with the striping...?

I don't know, I think we're picking at nits in a way. You're adorable, you look perfectly fine in it. But if you're not sure you'll wear it, I'd send it back rather than have one more thing in my closet that I don't wear very often. :)

It definitely will loosen up after a washing Funky, that’s something to consider.

Allyde you are spot on about not keeping stuff we don’t love… I am trying not to fall into that trap. OTOH I have absolutely nothing like this in my current wardrobe and think that even an ”okay” set

would be a good thing to have. I am reminded of the times when DH has been rushed to the hospital, or when I have had to literally throw something on to go to my mother’s at the drop of a hat.

I just bought the white polo in the same AE fabric from Spanx locally, and with a shirt underneath it I suddenly have several outfits in this genre that I may not love but could prove very useful. The AE skort is too short for me but I have a black jeans skirt that might work with both tops.

That sweatshirt is not what I consider oversized. Oversized to me is the FP sweatshirt funky posted. I love both. I think the Spanx one looks good on you and it makes for a very casual and comfortable outfit. I would keep it, but I dress very differently from you. Your everyday is my dressed up these days. I am almost always in leggings or joggers and casual tops.

I hate when tops are baggy in the shoulders! I just returned a T-shirt I was planning to wear to the festival because it was enormous in the shoulders. It was supposed to be a "boyfriend" cut so more relaxed fit, but it's too relaxed. Luckily, I could exchange it and try on so I could find a T-shirt size that works. I just find that sizing is all over the place.

My sister and I wear the same size shirts but if it looks good on her it looks terrible on me. She is short waisted and I am long waisted.

I think I would like it better if it didn't have the banded bottom. A big white stripe across the hips just doesn't do it for me.

Jennifer, what a huge difference!

I have solved my difficult fit issue. I found a company that makes t-shirts that fit me. I bought one in every color. Same with Pants and shorts and sweat shirts and pajamas. One size, one style, order 2 or 3 of each every year, pray they don't go out of business.

I just find that sizing is all over the place.

And that’s the truth, Gsciencechick!

JenniferHogan, how different the sweatshirt looks with no bottom band! I am going to try tucking the top in to see what that looks like, thanks for the visual.

This is what I actually wore today: Spanx wide leg twill pants, linen blue and white stripe shirt, a blue and red striped belt and slip on deck style sneakers.

This is representative of my go to casual attire now. Later in the summer I would replace the pants with high-waisted pleated shorts or just above the knee flat front walking shorts. The soft clothing still feels unfamiliar but nice, especially for a long flight.

especially for a long flight.

Ha! And that perfectly describes the difference in how we dress. For a flight of any length, I only wear joggers with a sweatshirt and tank underneath. The tank is so I can take off the sweatshirt when we get to our location which is usually a warm place.

Your outfit above, that I love is something I would 100% wear, but never on a flight.

Tucking the top in made a world of difference, so much nicer with the bottom band hidden. Very cute!

I am not big on tops with contrasting waist bands, they remind me of the cute elderly ladies in their Alfred Dunner separates. I am not ready to join their club. Of course, there are tops that are an exception to this, but overall I stay away from this look.

Kswl,

That first top (sweatshirt?)looks better on you than it does the model.

In addition to the banding, I think the round neckline of the sweatshirt looks flat and confining. Your picture of the cute blue and white blouse (I want that and where is it from?) with the open neckline puts the focus on your face. This is why 1/4 zips are popular.

I hope you’re happy…I ordered an AE polo last night. Influencers!

Lollol, Sue! We should form one of those 80’s era buying clubs 😎

Rather, I see what you mean about the round neckline. This Spanx striped thing is only the second sweatshirt I have owned in decades. My other one is our church sweatshirt 😇 The blue and white stripe shirt is an older Chico’s linen shirt with 3/4 sleeves. I love it with anything white— denim skirt, shorts, skort, nicer white pants, etc.

Rather I just looked up that cute zip up too from your post… It is from Draper James, a cotton / synthetic blend and it’s DRYCLEAN ONLY— can you imagine? Athleisure that has to be drycleaned … whose bright idea was that?

Living in the in the heat that we get in the summer, I buy very very few dry clean only pieces for summer. Most of what I get that is dry clean only are cocktail dresses, silks, or other dressy items. Casual clothes for me must be washable.

I bought a cute quarter zip from LL Bean. Blue and white seersucker. (is the picture showing up? I can’t see it but it shows up when I try to edit. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

And a black linen maxi dress from LOFT. One of the teachers at DGD’s school was wearing it and told me where to find it. Even though it is washable, it’ll probably go to the cleaners contrary to my statement above.

Cute dress, Bbstx! The zip up photo isn’t showing.

LL Bean quarter zip. blue and white seersucker

That blue and white striped linen shirt looks great on you! I’ve never shopped at Chicos before but if they have that cute J McLoughlin vibe like that I may start. That entire outfit is great. I also think the first top is cute…it looks comfy and put together. I think it would be good for travel.

Well, I wore the spanx polo today so I am not returning it lol ... but I did get compliments on it so I think it fits well enough. (Mom also loved her spanx 1/2 zip!)

I tried on the zip up Spanx thingy and the collar that is created when it’s partially zipped is just too wide for me. I would wear it if the ”wings” it creates did not extend to my shoulders. For some reason it makes my head look like it’s on a plate, my shoulders are not very wide. Funky, on the other thread you mentioned tou were having trouble with the elastic in your undies…. the Spanx laser cut undergarments have no elastic, no visible lines and are smoothing…fyi.

The color didnt stand out to me on mom-- and she is tiny (and getting tinier by the minute). The best thing for her is that it was so easy to get on. Since she broke her shoulder (now healed but not completely properly) she has trouble with some pullovers but this went on like a dream.

I know you love the spanx underthings but I hadn't considered them-- I usually prefer cotton but I like the smoothing feature. I'll add a pair to my next order and give them a try! Thank you, kswl!

I wear cotton knit high waist, high cut briefs only. Im sure they must have lycra or spandex added for the fit. They are smoothing and invisible under clothing.

"hu" yes, I wear high cut also-- but they have elastic at the leg. What brand do you wear that doesn't have elastic and is smoothing?

Yes, it seems only the elastic and stitching create visible lines.

The zip feature sounds perfect for your mom right now Funky. I could have used one when I had shoulder surgery years ago.

I still have not taken the tags off that striped sweatshirt 🤔 This morning I had an early morning trip to costco, a friend (and committee co-chair) and I bought supplies for a luncheon for 60 tomorrow at our historical society. It was raining. It was chilly. Perfect weather and activity for the AE black pants and striped sweatshirt What did I put on? Charcoal straight leg jeans, a gray 3/4 sleeve round neck top and gray chunky knit V neck Michael Stars sweater. Black Tom’s slip ons. No sweatshirt….. I am wondering if I will actually wear it.

I used to wear all cotton undies until I discovered Jockey's Comfies.

https://www.jockey.com/catalog/product/micro-comfies-fc-3pk?color=2060

They also make them in a cotton blend.

https://www.jockey.com/catalog/product/comfies-cotton-french-cut-3pack?color=9192

You’re right Hhireno, when the opportunity presented itself I considered it and did not wear it and I’m not sure why. I don’t dislike it. Hmmmm. I can wear the pants on the plane….must figure out how to disguise the drawstring feature of the waist. Any ideas?

Wear a top that doesn't need to be tucked in.

Would it work to wear your vest?

Judi I agree that’s the obvious answer but I tuck almost everything. i will look among my tops and see if I have something long enoigh to tuck in and slightly blouse over. And yes bbstx, the vest should def help. Next week I’m going to start trying on combinations according to the itinerary and that should help weed out things I don’t need. The striped dress is already out; if I take a dress it will have to be black and serve as the recital attire backup.

I used to tuck in everything too. Some things look better untucked.