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When temperatures rise, we naturally reach for as little clothing as possible and show more skin. T-shirts get shorter, shoes more open, and sometimes we would rather go barefoot. But this summer, the rules are changing. T-shirts are getting longer, sleeves wider, and fitted crop tops are making way for relaxed, oversized styles that will define the season. Just look at Zendaya, who combined her signature method dressing with a practical response to the European heatwave during the promotional tour for Spider-Man. She appeared on the red carpet in an XXL vintage Spider-Man T-shirt worn as a dress, paired with Christian Louboutin’s iconic white pumps. The result was bold, relaxed and perfectly summery.
At Rosalía’s concert in Los Angeles, Alexa Demie chose an oversized T-shirt emblazoned with I ♥ Rosalia, which she paired with black track pants and vintage Adidas boxing shoes, further emphasising the sporty, relaxed aesthetic. The look proves that an oversized T-shirt can be just as striking as a classic blouse, but considerably more comfortable.
Jennifer Lawrence, known for her understated style inspired by cool New York girls, wore her loose-fitting graphic T-shirt with Bermuda shorts, another major trend this season, while running everyday errands around the city. Meanwhile, in recent months, Alexa Chung has frequently shared photos of her everyday outfits taken with her home intercom camera. One of her favourite formulas involves wearing an oversized T-shirt over a silk midi skirt. The combination of an oversized T-shirt and a short skirt is also reminiscent of Zoë Kravitz’s signature street style in Saint Laurent designs.
Relaxed silhouettes have also been present on the runways for some time. In his first collection for Balenciaga for spring 2026, Pierpaolo Piccioli presented oversized T-shirts paired with flowing skirts, further highlighting the contrast between voluminous tops and fluid bottoms. Brands such as Entire Studios, Vaquera, Willy Chavarria and Luar have been building their fashion identity around bold silhouettes and oversized T-shirts for several seasons.
Fashion journalist Max Berlinger has already observed how provocatively short shorts have gradually given way to more relaxed, voluminous cuts in recent seasons. The same logic is now being applied to tops. Oversized T-shirts exude nostalgia, while their deliberately exaggerated proportions convey confidence and a certain degree of defiance, particularly at a time when women are often expected to take up as little space as possible.
The most interesting oversized silhouettes continue to come from menswear. Although Dior and Prada presented slightly slimmer fits in their spring 2027 menswear collections, loose, relaxed silhouettes inspired by streetwear remain very much in evidence. A large cotton T-shirt gently swaying in the summer breeze, perhaps still a little salty after a swim in the sea or marked with the occasional ice cream stain, has almost become a symbol of a carefree summer.
What’s more, an oversized T-shirt offers much more room for expressing your personal style. Vintage styles with original prints, merch T-shirts and football shirts are once again among the most coveted pieces, while the larger surface simply allows your interests, favourite bands or sports clubs to stand out more. From a practical perspective, the looser fit allows for better airflow on hot days and is also ideal for layering.
Today’s oversized T-shirts look considerably more sophisticated than their predecessors. Just look at the collections by Victoria Beckham, Nanushka, Tove or the new basics brand Saint Sirène and its popular boyfriend styles. They are characterised by structured collars that retain their shape, dropped shoulders, wide sleeves that reach almost to the elbow and a boxier cut rather than a tunic-like silhouette. Every detail is designed to make the volume look considered and harmonious with the rest of the outfit.
I may not yet be ready to give up my fitted crop tops entirely, but the idea of a relaxed, carefree summer in oversized T-shirts is sounding increasingly appealing. Are you ready to give this trend a chance?