What I remember about big shirts in the early eighties when I was in college (New England liberal arts school, very preppy) was the difference between how we wore them in real life, all big and blousy, and how the magazines tried to convince us to wear them, with big wide belts etc which seemed to go against all the looseness and comfort of that kind of shirt.
I’ve wondered the same thing about oversized + oversized looks. Do I not like this because I’ve been conditioned to think it’s not “right” or do I genuinely not like it?
Thank you for this deep dive! All those old magazine features are a real eye-opener. I love a big shirt and big pant but it wasn't always so; I used to have a complex about this because I felt it made my head look comically small, and also I used to be self-conscious about being mistaken for a man. But time and age I think has just made me care less about those two things. I like the drama and impact of of big + big, and it also doesn't mean that you're not paying attention to the proportions (sleeves rolled or unrolled, shirt and trouser lengths, colour/print, collar style, shoe type), as clearly illustrated by your outfits.
Oh gosh I have that same hangup about not wearing two Big Things at one time (excluding an extended grunge phase in the 90s where I wore baggy jeans with a mens 3XL flannel daily). I miss the Big Shirts + leggings from the 80s (with a pair of high top sneakers and two pairs of contrasting socks scrunched down around my ankles). Thanks for this ode to the Big Shirt, what a fun time capsule!
What I remember about big shirts in the early eighties when I was in college (New England liberal arts school, very preppy) was the difference between how we wore them in real life, all big and blousy, and how the magazines tried to convince us to wear them, with big wide belts etc which seemed to go against all the looseness and comfort of that kind of shirt.
Exactly! As though they are shooting for the male gaze and we are wearing for our own comfort and practicality.
I’ve wondered the same thing about oversized + oversized looks. Do I not like this because I’ve been conditioned to think it’s not “right” or do I genuinely not like it?
Hard to unravel!
Thank you for this deep dive! All those old magazine features are a real eye-opener. I love a big shirt and big pant but it wasn't always so; I used to have a complex about this because I felt it made my head look comically small, and also I used to be self-conscious about being mistaken for a man. But time and age I think has just made me care less about those two things. I like the drama and impact of of big + big, and it also doesn't mean that you're not paying attention to the proportions (sleeves rolled or unrolled, shirt and trouser lengths, colour/print, collar style, shoe type), as clearly illustrated by your outfits.
Ah I’m realizing this is part of it for me - my head looks out of proportion, too small.
Oh gosh I have that same hangup about not wearing two Big Things at one time (excluding an extended grunge phase in the 90s where I wore baggy jeans with a mens 3XL flannel daily). I miss the Big Shirts + leggings from the 80s (with a pair of high top sneakers and two pairs of contrasting socks scrunched down around my ankles). Thanks for this ode to the Big Shirt, what a fun time capsule!
Yessss colorful scrunched socks!!
I love that you try to, but are still evaluating whether it works for you or not. That seventeen magazine spread with the big shirt is incredible.
*tried it (voice to text fail)
My love for the big shirt knows no bounds!