Nowadays, over-sized EVERYTHING is the biggest trend out there. (The obvious pun? Intended.)
The options range from enormous overcoats to baggy blazers and scarves that could swaddle an elephant.
This trend can be tricky. Frankly, I’m wary of the whole thing. There may be many women who are supernaturally blessed with the figures that look fantastic in enormous sacks of fabric. Sadly, I am not one of them.
This dress was an impulse purchase from the Pure DKNY line. Most of the brand’s pieces are flowy, over-sized silhouettes in luxury fabrics, and I caved when I saw the sale price for this all-silk number.
But there’s a problem. The dress is so voluminous, it looks like a nightgown all on its own. While this might be fine on a supermodel, it looked a little strange on a mere mortal.
I approach over-sized clothes the way sailors approach their boats. I don’t want to just drift aimlessly — my clothes need an anchor. Here was my inexpensive, super-easy solution.
This cropped Topshop sweater has been a lifesaver for my fall wardrobe. It instantly transformed this swishy dress into a duo of color-blocked separates. The sweater isn’t skintight, which is great for layering — but I wanted to cinch the waistline for even more definition.
Enter the saving grace: a jewel-toned ribbon belt. This particular belt came with a L.A.M.B. blouse from Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku-inspired collection. (Here’s Gwen’s way of wearing the belt.) The L.A.M.B. blouse, which I got for $10 secondhand, was a nightmare — but the velvet belt has paid off big.
The dress’ ample material does not go to waste. With the belt, the volume is pared down and metamorphasizes into a waterfall of silk. (It beats resembling a sack of laundry.) The key takeaway? Roll with the trends, but adapt them to your personal taste.
You tell me: How do you adapt the over-sized trend for your personal style?
xxx