Button-downs are a classic wardrobe essential, and probably one of the first items you consider when getting dressed for work, layering under a suit, or even packing for a beach vacation. But lately, the oversize boyfriend shirt has reigned supreme when it comes to cuts, with many celebrities reaching for boxy silhouettes that can be worn open or closed. Of course, their styling tactics run the gamut, but even when the resulting look is sexy and bold, it’s still wearable.
Kendall Jenner wore her pinstripe boyfriend shirt as a loose dress over a pair of hot pants, for example, helping her pull off the no pants trend in a less daring way. Gigi Hadid and Gabrielle Union, meanwhile, exhibited prowess for baring a flash of ab when they wore their shirts unbuttoned at the top and bottom. This is a decidedly more relaxed and casual approach to wearing an oversize button-down, and Hadid and Union make a case for keeping things streamlined in a monochrome color palette. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez stepped out at Paris Fashion Week – where she wore numerous takes on the trend in both white and blue – most notably playing with proportions by leaving her shirt open over a tube top, Versace denim miniskirt, and Stuart Weitzman snakeskin over-the-knee boots.
Why the sudden resurgence of oversize boyfriend shirts? It probably has something to do with their refined elegance and the turn to neutral, tailored separates in an effort to achieve quiet luxury. Ahead, see how everyone from Gomez to Jennifer Lawrence is convincing us to add button-downs three sizes too big to our fall wish list.
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Selena Gomez's Oversized Boyfriend Shirt
Gomez stepped out during Paris during Fashion Week on Sept. 27 sporting a crisp white boyfriend shirt worn unbuttoned over a ruched tube top from Are You Am I. She finished the look with a Versace denim miniskirt and snakeskin over-the-knee boots from Stuart Weitzman.
Getty / Robert Kamau
Kendall Jenner's Oversized Boyfriend Shirt
Jenner’s boyfriend shirt simultaneously helped her pull off another trend du jour: no pants. The supermodel was pictured in New York City on Sept. 19 in an oversize blue pinstripe button-down with the sleeves pushed up past her elbows. A pair of black hot pants were barely visible underneath the look, which was completed with simple loafers, a big leather pouch, dark sunglasses, gold jewelry, and a giant claw clip.
Getty / Gotham
Jennifer Lawrence's Oversized Boyfriend Shirt
Jennifer Lawrence reveled in her quiet luxury era on an outing in NYC on Aug. 23. The actress wore a blue boyfriend shirt open over a black tank, navy wide-leg trousers, and leather pumps. She accessorized with everyday silver jewelry, a neutral olive tote, and large square sunglasses from Lu Goldie.
Getty / Robino Salvatore
Gigi Hadid's Oversized Boyfriend Shirt
Hadid was spotted at Milan Fashion Week on Sept. 21 modeling her off-duty style in a breezy all-white outfit. She exhibited how a roomy and boxy boyfriend shirt, unbuttoned at the top and bottom, can reveal a subtle flash of abs. Hadid finished her outfit with belted denim, Adidas Samba sneakers, layered necklaces, oval-shaped sunglasses, and a cream mini bag.
Getty / Gotham
Gabrielle Union's Oversized Boyfriend Shirt
Union took the coord approach to styling a loose boyfriend shirt. Her set, which she wore out in New York City on June 14, was lightweight and revealed a sliver of midriff, just like Hadid’s, thanks to a single button closure. Union accessorized with a colorblock Prada bag, open-toe sandals, and mixed metal rings.
