The resurgence of loose-fitting clothing in contemporary menswear has left many slender men questioning whether baggy clothes will enhance or diminish their physique.
While conventional styling advice often steers skinny men towards slim-fit clothing, the current fashion landscape offers compelling reasons to embrace oversized silhouettes.
From Lemaire’s masterful volume play to Fear of God’s refined take on relaxed tailoring, luxury fashion houses are proving that baggy clothing can look incredibly sophisticated on lean frames.
This guide will show you exactly how to wear baggy clothes as a skinny man, with specific techniques to ensure your oversized pieces look intentional rather than ill-fitting.
1. Always Balance Loose Tops with Fitted Bottoms (or Vice Versa)
Start by selecting either a baggy top or bottom piece, never both simultaneously.
When wearing an oversized blazer or jumper, pair it with straight-leg or slim trousers to maintain visual balance and prevent your frame from disappearing entirely.
Conversely, when opting for wide-leg trousers, choose a more fitted top to create deliberate contrast.
Jil Sander’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection exemplifies this principle perfectly, pairing voluminous cotton shirts with tailored trousers.
2. Choose Structured Fabrics Over Flowing Materials
Select rigid fabrics like heavyweight cotton, wool, or Japanese selvedge denim for baggy pieces.
Avoid lightweight materials such as viscose or thin cotton that cling or drape without structure.
Structured fabrics create intentional volume and maintain their shape throughout wear, preventing the clothing from collapsing against your frame.
Consider Margaret Howell’s signature oversized cotton shirts or A.P.C.’s raw denim as prime examples of how substantial fabrics can create elegant volume.
3. Ensure Shoulder Seams Still Align with Your Natural Shoulders
Keep the shoulder seams of jackets, shirts, and knitwear aligned with your actual shoulder points, even when choosing oversized fits.
Avoid shoulder seams that drop more than 1-2 inches below your natural shoulder line.
The Row’s oversized blazers demonstrate this principle expertly, maintaining sharp shoulders while allowing volume through the body.
Look to Brunello Cucinelli’s relaxed tailoring for guidance on how shoulder fit remains crucial even in looser silhouettes.
4. Maintain Proper Garment Length Despite the Volume
Keep shirt hems falling at mid-hip level, regardless of how loose the fit may be.
Ensure trouser lengths create a clean break at the shoe without pooling excess fabric.
Consider Acne Studios’ perfectly proportioned oversized knitwear as an example of how length should remain standard even when width increases.
Study how brands like Our Legacy maintain appropriate sleeve lengths while experimenting with body volume.
5. Layer Strategically to Add Depth Without Bulk
Create depth by layering fitted base layers under looser pieces.
Avoid stacking multiple oversized layers, which can overwhelm a slender frame.
Take inspiration from how Christophe Lemaire layers a slim roll-neck under an oversized shirt-jacket.
Study Craig Green’s collections for masterful demonstrations of layering without excess bulk.
6. Pay Attention to Garment Weight Distribution
Choose pieces that distribute weight evenly across the garment rather than pieces that bunch or gather in specific areas.
Avoid garments with elastic cuffs or hems that create unwanted gathering points on a slim frame.
Look to how Yohji Yamamoto designs oversized pieces that flow seamlessly from shoulder to hem.
Study Maison Margiela’s approach to weight distribution in oversized knitwear and outerwear.
7. Select Monochromatic or Tonal Colours for Cohesive Volume
Choose single colours or similar tones when wearing baggy pieces to create a streamlined appearance.
Avoid busy patterns or high-contrast colour combinations that can make loose clothing appear overwhelming.
Look to Jil Sander’s minimalist palette for guidance on how solid colours can make volume appear intentional and refined.
Consider how Bottega Veneta uses tonal dressing to make oversized pieces appear elegant rather than excessive.
The Final Word on Baggy Clothes for Skinny Men
Wearing baggy clothes as a skinny man requires thoughtful execution but can result in a sophisticated, contemporary appearance.
Success lies in maintaining crucial fit points while allowing strategic volume elsewhere.
Focus on balance, fabric choice, and proper proportions to ensure loose-fitting clothes enhance rather than overwhelm your frame.
Remember that brands like The Row, Lemaire, and Margaret Howell offer excellent reference points for elevated, oversized styling.