The era of slim clothing is over
For much of the last decade, skinny jeans, tight-fitting dresses, closely tailored suits and slim-fit t-shirts were everywhere. Clothing that revealed every curve dominated both fashion runways and shop windows.
Not anymore. Today, the most popular look is baggy. Celebrities and fashion designers have led the way. In early 2022, singer Billie Eilish turned heads at a Los Angeles museum by wearing an enormous, padded denim vest with flowing jeans. In 2024, Colombian singer J Balvin and Mexican rapper Santa Fe Klan performed at Coachella wearing oversized jackets by a Mexican designer. By 2025, GQ magazine was reporting that relaxed-fitting cargo shorts were a hot summer item for men.
But it’s not just high fashion that’s going loose. Mass-market retailers have also embraced the oversized clothing trend. Zara’s summer 2025 collection was full of relaxed, slouchy cotton sweaters for men and long, billowing shirts for women. And H&M offers a huge selection of wide-legged jeans. I stopped into an Abercrombie & Fitch store to look around. They had sorted jeans into three categories: loose, baggy, and extra baggy. Not a slim fit jean to be found.
What’s going on? There are three factors driving the trend.
First, loose, comfortable-fitting clothing is a response to the pandemic.
Lockdowns closed many workplaces, and office workers who had been dressing up could now work at home, in whatever clothes they wanted.
That’s when many people realized they could wear a professional shirt on camera and sweatpants out of sight. They enjoyed being more comfortable at work. It was nice not to feel constricted by tight waistbands or slim skirts.
After the lockdowns ended, many people were reluctant to give up their comfortable clothes. They didn’t want to go back to wearing suits and ties, or pencil skirts—especially if they were still working from home part of the time. So designers responded with looser, more comfortable cuts.
The second factor also emerged from the pandemic—but it overlaps with something much bigger: body inclusivity.
During lockdowns, many people dropped their exercise habits and drank more alcohol. It was a stressful time. I’ll admit—I was guilty of that myself. Big sweaters, slouchy hoodies, loose-fitting jeans and long cardigans felt comforting. In fact, you can often wear the same piece whether you’ve gained or lost a little weight. That means you don’t have to keep buying new clothes every time your body changes.
Brands are also trying to be more inclusive, to reach customers of all shapes and sizes. Looser clothing can more easily accommodate the range of body types that exist in the real world—not just in the catalogs. If people are self-conscious about parts of their body, a loose silhouette can make them feel more confident.
Baggy clothes can also be more inclusive than other styles. They are often easier to put on and take off, which is an advantage for people with disabilities. And because they don’t cling as tightly to the body, oversized clothes can be unisex.
The final reason for the swing to looser clothing is simply the cyclical nature of fashion. You might remember that loose clothing and over-sized hoodies were popular in the 1980s and 1990s. There’s a general cultural nostalgia for the 1990s right now. If you remember the 1990s, you probably remember oversized hoodies, grunge flannel shirts, and jeans that pooled over your sneakers. That vibe is back.
There are some good reasons to welcome the trend. Baggy clothing can be more practical than more fitted clothes. It is definitely easier to bend down in loose-fitting trousers than it would be in skinny jeans. Similarly, reaching for something on a high shelf is more comfortable in a sweatshirt than in a tight-fitting top.
On a hot day, light, flowing clothing can be cooler than more fitted pieces. And in chilly weather, oversized clothes make it easier to wear multiple layers.
Oversized clothing projects a relaxed, laid-back vibe. That appeals to a wide range of people, especially with all the stress in the world these days.
Not ready to go full baggy with every part of your outfit? That’s okay—I’m not either. Here’s an idea. Instead of buying slim or skinny clothes, try slightly looser fits for your everyday items. Once in a while, you can combine your traditional cuts with one or two oversized pieces to make a statement. An oversized jacket, paired with a tailored dress or trousers, will really stand out at a party.
Jeff’s take
I have two things going in my favor. First, I’m always multiple years late to any fashion trend. And second, I keep clothes forever. So I’m guessing that I have plenty of pieces of clothing that are perfect for this new trend—in boxes left over from the last cycle.
The question will be about office attire. A lot of people were definitely going for the tailored, slim-fit suits and slim-fit shirts in offices. It wasn’t too crazy. But I was in Chicago earlier this year and everyone was getting their work clothes at Lululemon. They look nice and dressy, but they’re flexible, looser. So we’ll keep an eye on that for you. We’ll see how the loose clothing trend translates into office settings.
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