When it’s hot—and this summer it’s definitely climate-emergency hot—we tend to wear less fabric and show more skin. We wonder how many bare butt cheeks have touched the subway seats before us. T-shirts are the size of baby clothes. Our shoes are flip-flops or strappy sandals, almost barefoot.
But this season, t-shirts have gotten longer and sleeves have stretched out. It’s goodbye baby tee, hello slouchy shirt summer.
Take Zendaya, for example. She tried method dressing and beat the heat at the same time, wearing a vintage XXL Spider-Man t-shirt on the red carpet. Paired with her classic white Louboutin heels, it felt playful, easy, and breezy. Alexa Demie wore an oversized “I <3 Rosalia" merch t-shirt to the pop star's show in Los Angeles, matching it with black track pants and vintage adidas boxing boots for a sporty, relaxed vibe. (Celebrities supporting each other is a new style frontier.)
Jennifer Lawrence, who loves that New York cool-girl look, wore her graphic tee with trendy Bermuda shorts while running errands in the city. Alexa Chung has been sharing her daily outfits on her doorbell camera. She often wears the same formula: an oversized top over a silky midi skirt. The big-tee-little-skirt combo also feels very Zoe Kravitz in Saint Laurent street style. On the womenswear runways, looser, less fitted shapes are showing up too. At Pierpaolo Piccioli's spring 2026 Balenciaga debut, for instance, oversized shirts were paired with flowing skirts. Big attitude, bold shape, and bigger tees have long been staples at Entire Studios, Vaquera, Willy Chavarria, and Luar. There's really no one-size-fits-all way to wear them.
Zendaya wore a vintage Spider-Man t-shirt from eBay, without pants, to the Spider-Man premiere.
Photo: Getty Images
Ayo Edebiri's Bjork tee.
Photo: Getty Images
Chloe Sevigny's Hannah Einbinder tee.
Photo: Backgrid
My colleague Max Berlinger has already noticed the shift from "slutty little shorts" for men to flowing, roomy bottoms. The same idea applies here: an oversized tee has a nostalgic feel, and wearing something too big gives you a confident, rebellious vibe—especially in a time when society wants us to take up less space. And some of the best oversized looks still come from menswear. Even though a slimmer style appeared at the spring 2027 menswear shows from Dior and Prada, those looser, streetwear-inspired shapes are still going strong. A breezy, billowing tee—maybe a little damp with sea salt or stained with ice cream—just feels like summer.
Alexa Chung has been posting her daily outfits on her doorbell camera.
Photo: Instagram (@alexachung)
Many of Chung's everyday looks center on an oversized tee and a midi skirt.
Photo: Instagram (@alexachung)
One top that stood out last fall and winter was the polo shirt. Worn by Hailey Bieber and Rihanna, and featured in collections by Miu Miu (with aprons) and Paloma Wool (in ice-cream colors), it showed fashion leaning into a preppy vibe and brands playing with workwear ideas. The polo shirt feels put-together, but any stiffness softens when styled with feminine skirts or toughened up with denim and leather. London designer Talia Byre bridged both styles with her extra-large, striped polo shirt-dress and its deep V-neck. As we move into warmer weather and vacation time, we're free from the structure of the polo and the idea of uniform dressing. The big t-shirt is a blank canvas for an exciting, anything-goes few months.
A big tee also gives you space to show off your personality—literally. Vintage novelty t-shirts, merch tops, and soccer jerseys are making a comeback, and bigger t-shirts just give you more room to express your tastes, interests, and team. Practically speaking, all that extra space also provides some greatAirflow keeps you cool and makes layering easy—just like Jennifer Lawrence shows with her oversized t-shirt, which follows the same silhouettes she loves in colder months with skants and multi-functional shirts.
Talia Byre spring 2026.
Photo: Isidore Montag / Gorunway.com
Balenciaga spring 2026.
Photo: Isidore Montag / Gorunway.com
What today’s more modern schlubby shirt designs (check out Victoria Beckham, Nanushka, Tove, or the excellent new basics brand Saint Sirène’s boyfriend shirt) offer is a sense of refinement that earlier versions didn’t have: structured necklines that aren’t stretched out, dropped shoulders, wide sleeves that fall near the elbow, and a boxier cut instead of a tunic-like shape. The focus is on intentional volume that works with the rest of your outfit. That said, you can never go wrong with vintage—look to Amsterdam’s nhỏgirl for a fun, varied selection of vintage logo tees and styling ideas, or London’s Jerks (a favorite of Lorde and Alexander Skarsgård) for a collection of tees spanning decades and subcultures.
I might not be ready to give up my clingy, shirred Super YaYa top or Climax bookstore baby tee just yet, but I’m open to the easy, carefree spirit of a schlubby shirt summer. What do you think, Brandy Melville?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the ByeBye Baby Tee and the shift to loose casual shirts this summer
Beginner Questions
Q What is a ByeBye Baby Tee
A Its a fun way of saying were moving away from tight fitted baby tees and crop tops this season Instead the trend is all about wearing loose relaxed and casual shirts
Q Why are tight baby tees out of style this summer
A Fashion is shifting toward comfort and ease Loose shirts feel more breathable in the heat look effortlessly cool and give a more laidback vibe than tight tops
Q What kind of shirts should I wear instead
A Think oversized buttondowns flowy linen shirts relaxed tshirts or baggy campcollar shirts Anything thats not super fitted or clingy
Q Are loose shirts only for certain body types
A No Loose shirts work for everyone The key is to balance the fitif your top is baggy you can pair it with fitted bottoms like shorts or slim jeans to keep a flattering silhouette
Advanced Questions
Q How do I style a loose shirt without looking frumpy or shapeless
A Use these tricks halftuck the front roll up the sleeves knot the hem or layer it over a fitted tank Pairing with structured bottoms also helps define your shape
Q Can I still wear crop tops or fitted tees if I prefer them
A Absolutely Trends are suggestions not rules If you love baby tees wear them But if you want to try the new look start with a slightly oversized tee or a shortsleeve buttondown left open over a tank
Q What are the best fabrics for loose summer shirts
A Look for lightweight breathable fabrics linen cotton poplin chambray seersucker or flowy rayonviscose They keep you cool and drape nicely without adding bulk
Q How do I transition from a fitted wardrobe to a looser one without buying all new clothes
A Start with one or two key pieceslike an oversized denim shirt or a linen buttondown Then restyle what you