It might appear to some that I have a lot of clothes….. scrap that, I DO have a lot of clothes (job hazard ok?!) BUT that doesn’t mean that I don’t understand the value of those VERSATILE pieces in your wardrobe.
In fact, I’m the CHAMPION of clothing versatility. In most cases, if I can’t wear something in at least three different ways, I won’t buy it. AND I always tell my Style Coaching clients to do the same. Even if they love it, if they can’t think of at least three things already in their wardrobes to wear the new piece with, DON’T buy it!
So in the name of cost-per-wear, here is the latest post in my ‘One Item, Three Ways’ series – The Oversized Top.
Take this gorgeous oversized top from NZ designer Millicent (which, unfortunately is sold out online, but you can pick one up at a stockist).
It’s a great colour combo, it’s warm, and the fabric has got some DRAPE to it – crucial when wearing oversized garments. You want them to hang off your frame, not puff out and add any more bulk.
You could also pick up an oversized top HERE, or HERE (I have these both too and they are great!) Alternatively, just try a ‘normal size’ top in a larger size.
So now you have your oversized top, here are three different ways to rock it.
GET THE LOOK: Millicent top $225 (size 8-14, I’m wearing the 10) {gifted} | Forever New maxi skirt (old season) similar here $149 | EziBuy scarf $24.99 (similar here from JeanJones) | Django&Juliette boots (navy) from StyleTread.com.au $149.95
The important thing for this look is to still be creating vertical lines down your body. There is a lot of fabric involved, so the more drape in it, the better!
It DOES help if you are taller-than-the-average-bear with this look, but another option would be to layer the top with a shorter skirt, tights and boots if you aren’t as vertically-gifted as I am 😉
GET THE LOOK: Millicent top $225 (size 8-14, I’m wearing the 10) {gifted} | CottonOn leather look jogger pants (old season, similar here from boohoo.com $55) | Asos slip on trainers (similar here from Rubi Shoes $29.99) | Dotti faux leather cap $15.95
This has almost become my winter uniform! An oversized top and slightly draped pants. The trick is to keep the pants as slim-fitting as you can. I’ve also cuffed them up to expose my ankle a little, so people can see there is still a relatively slim leg under there somewhere.
GET THE LOOK: Millicent top $225 (size 8-14, I’m wearing the 10) {gifted} | Fate skirt from Hazel’s House $92.00 (size 8 -14) {gifted} | Sacha Drake belt (old season) | Kmart navy heels $25
Just because it’s big, doesn’t mean you can’t use it to show off your shape! tuck it into a pencil skirt and belt the crap out of it! Heels will also help when you are wearing an oversized top as they elongate the body (ie. make you look taller and skinnier)
So does that help convince you to give oversized tops a go? Or are you already a fan! Tell we what you think in the comments below!
I find as an apple (and a short one at that) that oversized tops and batwing sleeves make me look bigger up top. I’m kind of stout all over, without those lovely long skinny legs that some apples have, so unless I’m mooching around the house I tend to avoid them. Is there some way to wear them that will not have the top-heavy effect? Or should I just continue to avoid?
Hey Jodie! You are totally spot on with the batwing and the Apple. BUT you can still definitely try an oversized top – in fact the right one can be perfect on you! You want to look for two things.
A) SLIM ARMS! like you said, a batwing will just extend your bust the wrong way. Look for a top that is more fitted through the arms, even if it’s still bigger through the middle – something like this (http://www.bluebungalow.com.au/purple-jersey-tunic-top.html) see how the arms are sung?
Which leads to…
B) FINE, DRAPED FABRIC. – it’s ALL in the fabric for you. You want it to hang as close to your body as it can, without clinging. If the fabric is stiff, the top will look boxy. You also generally want the top just long enough that you can wear it with a really skinny jean, or a ponte pant – because you are going over-sized on top, you want to be slimmer on the bottom.
and C) – VERTICAL LINES!!!!! you MUST create long, vertical lines down your body when you are wearing an oversized top (especially as an Apple) – think scarves, necklaces, anything long and thin that splits up the size of the top>
I hope that all makes sense?? xx
Such a beautiful colour and I love it with the pencil skirt. I am not the biggest fan of oversized tops. Its not that I dislike them, it just doesn’t seem to be the thing I am drawn to when I am shopping.
I wasn’t for a long time Kelly! But now I’ve found a few different ways to wear it, I like them a LOT more. It also REALLY depends on the fabric – they MUST have drape and hang well, otherwise they just add unwanted bulk