Oversized Clothing Over 60: Yes or No
Happy Thursday, ladies. Today, let’s discuss Oversized Clothing over 60: Yes or No.
Before you jump to give your answer to wearing oversized clothing over 60, let’s think about this a little longer.
I have a video for you to watch that I recently found when doing research for the news posts and it was about oversized clothing.
Since all of the posts I have ever read about wearing oversized clothing over 60 have been negative, I expected this video to also be negative.
But, it isn’t…it is the first positive approach to the topic I have seen.
Allow me to share my personal thoughts before the video…then you will find the video…and then I would like to hear from you.
I do encourage you to watch the video so you have all sides to the issue before you comment.
Also, at the bottom, there is one more topic, I would like your answer about.
So, let’s get started with our discussion of wearing oversized clothing over 60.
OVERSIZED CLOTHING OVER 60: YES OR NO: YES FOR ME
I have been attracted to oversized clothing and the women who wear it successfully for a very long time….particularly the European ones.
Since crossing over age 60, I often wear kimonos, ruanas, and flowy toppers.
I understand that your answer to this question often has to do with your height and size.
For me, it is one way to express my style adjectives that lean to the creative side.
So, how do I look polished in oversized clothing …because polished is one of my style adjectives as well.
Here are my top two ways to wear oversized clothing:
- Most often…I size down. I rarely wear the size recommended for me, but usually go one size smaller. I need to try on the ones that say…one size fits all…because they often have too much fabric.
- In the past two years, I have added shorter toppers like the CHICO’S FULLY LINED SHORT KIMONO that I am wearing in the opening picture…there are a few remaining and on sale.
- Rarely to I wear an oversized top with an oversized wide leg bottom…my favorite outfits have oversized tops with slim leg pants on the bottom.
You are looking at one of my favorite outfits.
The oversized top, the long tank, the long necklace, and slim leg pant are all elongating…and though oversized clothing I feel very confident in this type of look.
OVERSIZED CLOTHING OVER 60: YES OR NO: THE VIDEO
So, now let’s look at this video…then we can share our thoughts on oversized clothing over 60. Is it only successful for certain body types? Let’s discuss what we learn.
AFTER OVERSIZED CLOTHING ONE MORE THING
It is almost time for the when the fall collections are released at sale prices.
What I would like to know is how many of you are interested in this sale this year?
If you are, what fall items are on your shopping list? Coats? Sweaters? Cashmere?
How can I help you most shopping this sale on your behalf?
AND HERE IS SOME BREAKING NEWS……
EILEEN FISHER ON SALE at Dillard’s! Some of your favorite selections are now on sale.
That is all I have for you today…two areas where we can have a great conversation. Please share your thoughts on oversized clothing over 60, and on the upcoming sale.
Thanks so much for being here…and I hope to see you tomorrow….until then…
KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
My rule is never two oversize pieces together in pants and tops. One slim and one oversize is my formula.
For the Nordstrom sale, I’m looking for light colors( sand, bone, beige) in boots, a raincoat and maybe jeans.
Thanks Susan…that is very helpful. I will begin a list!
wow soo many pics!! Loved the input being creative and own it with confidence.
Thanks for video
Glad you enjoyed, Debra. Happy Thursday!
This is not a strict yes or no answer. I have a small build, so I have to be careful with oversized clothes. But if they work, they can look classy and modern. I have gotten to love wide leg pants if paired with a slim top. And a flowy blouse with straight pants works. You look beautiful in that kimono outfit. There are some classy looks in the video. I’m not too interested in the anniversary sale, but I know others are, so majority rules.
We will see about the sale, Marcia. I am curious to see if it still has the interest that it has in the past. I agree with you on oversized…styled correctly, it can look very classy.
The you-tuber did such a great job of rounding up looks. I’d like to screen shot, or take notes on many of them. (Hey, Pam, saw you featured ;))! It seems as the key is making an outfit vs. sizing up on everything for comfort.
Thanks Kim…there are so many of these videos that I do not find helpful, but this one was and had some great style inspiration in it. So glad that you enjoyed it,
I think there is a difference between oversized and unstructured. Oversized shirts that fit on the shoulders properly may be fine but off shoulder, dolman sleeves, and extra width, not so much so. Some of what was in the video was wide-legged pants. Depending on the width and how the pants fit through waist and hips, these pants are not really oversized. As a petite person, I shy away from oversized, but I have wide leg pants and looser summer shirts that look just fine.
I have the same rule as Susan BK, if flowy in the bottom,wear a closer fit top, and vice versa. Some of those ladies looked to me like the clothes were wearing them, not the other way around. Some dresses at Anthro are like that too. That is not flattering to anyone. Oversize will never be my individual look, but when you see it done well, it is attractive. So some of it must depend on body type. For example, I bought the J Jill dupe of that crinkle EF dress and it looked awful on me. I need some shape and structure to clothing, or I don’t feel attractive in it. Perhaps if I belted it, but being so unsatisfied with the dress, it went back right away. Fashion is fun to experiment with!
It is fun to experiment with and I love that we can all decide what is best for our unique personal style. It was good that you quickly realized what was best for you. Some oversized styles do not work for us, and it does take some playing with them to see if they will. Thanks Susan.
I feel more confident in oversize tops because of my middle section I feel wearing anything to fitted has everyone looking at and wondering why I’m wearing that as for the Nordstrom sale I’m looking for shoes and handbags
I am unable to view the video just now (yeah, because I just boarded the plane for my trip!!!)…but will say I follow your general idea of long and lean, fuller over slim on bottom. As someone who is medium-tall 5’8″, and fairly tall with 2″ heels, I am grateful for the height. Several years back, I was really into the quite long cardigan sweaters as a third piece, and always felt good in that look. As to Nordie’s, yes, please. 💕 I would love to find a couple of hip/boyfriend length cashmere or cashmere blend cardigans. Oh, and maybe a couple beautiful new scarves. Thank you!
Interesting post. I’m in the yes group, with reservations. For many years I followed Delta Burke’s rule and wore structured clothing. And the kimonos will never feel like me … I tried them on a cruise once and I just do not feel like myself in them. But, a few things happened to change my mind regarding oversized in general: the rise of narrow bottoms, the shorter tops that are in style now, the coastal look, and losing almost 60 pounds. As a plus size woman, I thought anything oversized made me look even bigger. Now that I have more shape, ironically the oversized clothing looks better. I favor the oversized top with the slim bottom, because I carry weight in the middle. I like an oversized trucker jacket in the fall, and love oversized linen button down shirts in the summer. I also will wear a boxy tee. It’s not a go-to silhouette for me, but it has a purpose, especially when I want a relaxed or creative vibe. I do feel sometimes people use too big clothing to hide in because they lack confidence. I also think correct fit, as in all garments, is critical. I watch the shoulders, sleeves and necklines carefully when purchasing oversized tops. When oversized clothing is a thoughtful choice, it usually looks good. When it’s an excuse, it usually looks sloppy.
Beautiful video. But I also think there is no right or wrong answer. Eileen Fisher puts oversized tops with oversized bottoms very successfully. Probably not going to shop the sale. Blew the clothing budget on summer clothes this year.
You look great in the shorter oversized toppers, Pam. The garments themselves are beautiful, and they’re flattering to you. I pass on them for myself, though — I just don’t feel like myself in them. For the Nordstrom sale, I’m looking for long-sleeved tops in Deep Summer colors that AREN’T sweaters or button up shirts. A tough task, I know! Also cashmere, and gray flats. Thanks!
Would finding a better word than ‘oversized’ be helpful to those of us who like some of the looks? I went to my thesaurus and all the words skew negative. Then I thought maybe ‘fluid’, but that doesn’t quite cut it because you could have a fluid dress that just skims. ‘Loose’ could be just too big. There has to be a word out there that I am just missing. I love (and wear) the look you had on in recovery with your boot. I like a form fitting inner column with a third piece that looks a bit looser and comfortable. That third piece of yours doesn’t really look oversized. It just drapes in a lovely way. Maybe that is it-just drapier clothing. Although I own a pair of loose trousers, I would want to wear a form fitting top tucked in, and my midriff is not slim anymore. I have to find a way to wear them in the summer. Fall isn’t an issue. I have have knee length coatigans that look good. Although I never would have thought that I liked loose with loose, I saw a few outfits in the video that looked interesting. When I have the time , I am going to screen shoot a few photos from today and yesterday’s videos so I can analyze what I am drawn to. Great post. I am looking forward to hearing what our group says. Regarding the Nordstrom Sale, I have been disappointed the last few years, but I leave no stone unturned! I would love to see what you come up with. I always scour the shoes, jeans, and sweaters.
Thanks for joining in, Janet!
Have so much fun, Connie! Thanks for joining in before take off.
Thanks for sharing your oversize journey, Linda. I have been on again and off again over the past years…but seem to be on more these days.
I understand, Helene. That is easy to do..so many pretty things out there. But, for those waiting for an EF sale…Dillard’s has announced one earlier than they usually do.
I love making these shopping lists for everyone…it’s fun for me to shop for you!
I really agree with you on the negative words. I think that is why I always say “flowy” but that isn’t a great one either. There has got to be a way to describe some of these awesome styles more positively. I am going to ponder it. That outfit in the recovery boot is one of my very favorite ways to dress. Thanks Deborah
As with every look women that are slim look better in everything!
I do agree with you, Carol and so often feel that way. But, my goal is to look my best every day and be confident of who I am right now. I always check to make sure I am communicating my adjectives and focus on the positives about me more than what I don’t have. Any of us can do that and look just as good as any slim woman.
I have a tall hourglass figure, fuller now than in my younger years. Part of that includes a large bust, from a very young age. As a Catholic schoolgirl I was embarrassed by the attention my early development brought. I tended to wear oversized, untucked tops to camouflage my “assets”. Although this strategy can indeed make the chestiness less apparent, one’s overall silhouette is bulkier and less stylish. I don’t think I realized how much so until a boyfriend back in the day mentioned that before we were dating he thought I was fat, but that I wasn’t fat at all. In my late sixties I like oversized garments for comfort but now I’m careful to be sure a defined waste is visible. Or, as others have stated, wear fitted bottoms.
There are so many variables. Many of the wide leg pants in the video are belted with tucked in tops, which to me are not oversized, just trendy, like leggings were trendy. If you are trying to hide a belly, or thighs or backside with oversized clothing, it’s going to look like it. If a top and topper are at the widest part of your torso, that’s where the eye goes with or without a scarf or necklace. I am tall and have healthy shoulders, nothing demure there, and long hair and even though I love scarves, it’s too much. If pants hit at the widest part of the calf, that’s where the eye goes. Most of us need to take clothing to the tailor not for the fitted bustier look, just because we are all different and are trying to wear similar size ranges in similar pieces. I would rather have one good fitting blazer, even if it’s oversized, than a few off the rack. Thank heavens, we wear what we think looks good on us and what we feel good in. If I’m happy, that’s all that matters.
Thank you for the heads up on the EF sale at Dillard’s! I just ordered the crinkled silk teal dress using your link and hope I got the sizing right. I always felt like EF did a lot of vanity sizing, since I could typically wear size S, but today’s body matches the measurements for size L, so that’s what I went with. I always treat myself to a birthday dress, so the almost-July timing is perfect. Wish I could afford some of the coordinating pieces, but even on sale EF is still an investment.
I used to spend several thousand dollars annually at Nordstrom but rarely shop there anymore; I’m more of a Nordstrom Rack girl these days. My retirement clothing budget is much lower than when I was working, and I also feel like I have aged out of many of their brands. I always enjoyed the in-store shopping experience, from the way it smelled to the live pianist playing downstairs and the helpful sales staff in every department. Unfortunately, our local store closed during COVID and never reopened. No special Anniversary Sale requests from me, but I will probably check out the deals on sweaters, winter scarves, coats and foot-friendly shoes and boots.
I really enjoyed the video, and like Deborah LM, I plan to take some screen shots of outfits I particularly liked. Am I the only one who questioned whether some of these outfits are truly “oversized?” I felt the same way about some of Pam’s examples, like the shorter ruanas/kimonos. Whether truly oversized or not, they are very flattering. I would wear about 75% of the clothes shown, and I got some really good ideas for accessorizing simple outfits that I hope to implement. Both the accessories and the outfits seem to echo my current focus on “fewer items/better quality.” Thanks to Pam for such great material for thoughtful discussion!
This is why it is important to size down on the oversized tops and toppers. I almost never wear my actual size in these. Thanks for sharing JT
Absolutely! If we are happy and feeling confident that is all that matters. Thanks Ann!
Bless you for always shopping with my links…it keeps me here and covering the expenses. I will note what you said about the NAS and if I see some really great deals in those items, let you know.
As a shorter woman, volume clothing (my term for oversized) is rarely good on me. I can do wide leg pants with a more fitted top, but a volume blazer will swamp me even if the shoulders are correct, which is almost impossible to find. Most of those featured in the video were very obviously taller than I am–not hard to do! However, I do think that interesting sleeves, and fabulous fabrics are a good way to experiment with volume. For the Nordy’s sale, I am always looking for good looking jeans that don’t cost $400 or more. Also boots in gray leather, not suede is a quest of mine.
I was happy to see several outfits that looked really good on the women wearing them. And then, wow, there’s Pam, looking fabulous! And you look fabulous in all the outfits you shared today. I’ve been pondering the term “oversized” as well and the best substitute I’ve yet to come up with is “unstructured”. I’ve seen women of all ages, shapes and sizes wear this look successfully with confidence. Proper fit even in unstructured pieces is crucial to avoid looking sloppy. The closest I have to this look are my Chico’s linen shirts which it me through the shoulders but hang nearly to my knees and I find I don’t wear them often and then open over a tank top and with really slim pants. I’m getting used to a wide leg in some pants styles if I can pair with a more fitted & cropped top. I think its a tougher look to do well for those of us who are petite. I’ve tried on some of those gorgeous Chico’s kimonos but even in the smallest size I feel like I’m in someone else’s clothes. And I realize that another woman the same size and I might embrace the style and carry it off with panache. Thanks for bringing up another interesting topic. I received the Nordstrom sale catalog and at first glace there’s nothing calling my name.
Good to know on your shopping items, Mary! Thanks for sharing!
There are times I try on an unstructured piece and think…nope too much. It has fit just right and not ignore my style adjective for polished. But when it works…I do love it! Thanks Kathie!
There were some outfits in the video that rated a resounding NO from me. There was a woman wearing a black suit that looked as if she had purchased it 4 times too large & one in a matching stripe set that echoed men’s pajamas. Other outfits had a very classic tailored look to them. I wouldn’t wear anything with sleeves that cover my hands or pants or skirts that drag on the ground. I feel that oversized clothing has a place such as kimonos or other toppers, but too much oversize clothing tends to look sloppy.
I agree with that Becky..
Personally as a hobby sewer (with knowledge of both industrial and haute couture construction) I feel many of the examples in the video were that of a relaxed style/cut rather than over-sized. In other words the former is not tailored but it still fits the model in accordance with body proportions whereas the latter is too large in overall sizing given one reason why your formula of a shorter topper will work Pamela. As to the EF
Sale, thank you for the heads-up on that. -Brenda-
Oh my, Brenda…maybe the new word Deborah is looking for to replace oversized would be relaxed!
I know what you are saying and perhaps the positive side of this is to look at it as relaxed! Pondering that!
Me,too. Pondering!
At 80 and still petite, I have embraced the relaxed fit and style. Sewing has always been a hobby of mine and the EF relaxed style is my go to style. I can’t afford her beautiful clothes but I can copy the style quite easily. I love cotton gauze and linen and wear one or both everyday as it ha turned very hot here in southern Colorado. Although I am not as thin as in my younger years, I still appear slim in my clothes. Love the cropped tops that just cover my waist and the flowing linen rayon blend pants that kiss the top of my feet. I’m always looking for inspiration and enjoyed the video.