Did you know that baggy shirts don’t have to be frumpy? If you happen to like what they say, or the color or the pattern, you don’t have to get rid of them—they can be redeemed with some easy definition tricks!
In this post I’ll show you how to wear your oversized shirts stylishly with 6 EASY TRICKS and WITHOUT SEWING or CUTTING.
Use these tricks to easily make a more trendy and stylish look on all those free but shapeless shirts or “unisex” graphic tees you have sitting in your drawers.
These are the key difference between feeling like a frumpy versus stylish mom.
Here’s how to wear oversized shirts without feeling fat!
Table of Contents
6 Easy Tricks for How to Wear Oversized Shirts Stylishly (How to Make a Big Shirt Fit Better)
#1 Do a Front Tuck (aka: Partial Tuck, French Tuck, Half Tuck)
Go to the Full Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Do a Perfect Front Tuck On Your Oversized Shirts
#2 Tie a Knot
Go to the Full Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Knot an Oversized or Stretchy Shirt
#3 Make a Twist Knot
#4 Make the Shirt or Dress Tighter Using the Coin Trick to Cinch or Create “Buttons”
How to make a big shirt fit better: This easy trick will help you cinch your shirts to make them tighter around the waist… all without cutting or sewing!
Go to the Full Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Make a Shirt or Dress Tighter Without Sewing
#5 Roll Up the T-Shirt Sleeves If They’re Too Long
Go to the Full Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Roll Up T-Shirt Sleeves That Are Too Long
#6 Tie a Knot in Your Button Down Shirts
Basic Style Rules for How to Wear Oversized Shirts Stylishly
You might be wondering when leaving your shirt out looks fine and when it looks frumpy.
Here are some style rules you can follow when trying to decide how to style your tops.
Examples of When You SHOULD Try a Front Tuck, Tie, Knot, or Cinch
#1 When to add some definition to your tops: Button-down shirts that are too long (or too dressy to wear around the house)
#2 When to add some definition to your tops: Very long shirts
#3 When to add some definition to your tops: Shirts that are too baggy
How to wear a shirt that’s too big: This is a maternity shirt! Pair it with skinny jeans + a little front tuck does wonders.
#4 When to add some definition to your tops: When you’re wearing a shirt over a dress
#5 When to add some definition to your tops: When you’re wearing a shirt or blouse with a skirt
#6 When to add some definition to your tops: Anytime an outfit feels frumpy… either swap out the bottom to something more fitted OR add definition to the top
Examples of When To Leave Your Shirt/Top Out
#1 When to leave your shirt out: When you’re wearing it with leggings
Leggings offer the ultimate fitted contrast to balance the proportions of a loose top. You won’t look frumpy leaving even the most oversized shirts or sweaters untucked or unknotted.
Plus, leaving it out helps cover the bum for a more modest look.
#2 When to leave your shirt out: When you’re wearing skinny jeans or other very fitted bottoms
Baggy shirts and sweaters can be worn with skinny jeans without tucking because the slim jeans balance the flowy top. You might just try rolling the sleeves on your top. A front tuck is totally optional.
#3 When to leave your shirt out: When your top is fitted or not extra long
When your top ends at or above your hips OR it’s tight/fitted, you can leave it out without looking frumpy.
#4 When to leave your shirt out: When your top has fun details on the hem
Another time you want to avoid tucking is when your top has some beautiful detailing on the edge… tucking will hide the beautiful design!
Tops with lace, peplum or other details on the hem are designed to wear hanging over your pants or shorts.
Just make sure to balance this with FITTED jeans, shorts or skirts.
The only kind of skirt that looks good with the shirt untucked or unknotted is a fitted pencil skirt. Otherwise everything will be too baggy and you’ll end up looking frumpy.
Your turn to try these tricks!
Many of these tricks can be stacked to totally transform an oversized t-shirt. For example, try both rolling the sleeves AND doing a knot or twist hem.
Take a picture of your end result and share it on Instagram with #frumpfighter and tag me @frumpfighters!
