What to wear with an oversized denim shirt

I just recently purchased this amazing Sezane chambray denim shirt/button down situation and have been wearing it nonstop this summer. It’s no secret that one of my favorite summer uniforms is some type of bike short paired with an oversized button down–I think my love for this combo started during pregnancy, but it never fails me! While this is my preferred way of styling a button down or oversized denim shirt, it’s definitely not the ONLY way to style it. If you have one of these classic staples in your closet (or you’re looking to buy one!) I hope this post gives you some fresh styling ideas!

What to wear with an oversized denim shirt

About the Sezane Max shirt:

If you’re looking for the perfect “I stole this from my boyfriend” button down–this is it. It’s classic, stylish, great quality, and best of all–it comes in so many colors. Sezane rarely ever steers me wrong and this is no exception. I’ll show you how versatile it is below–but it’s a piece that you’ll wear year-round for many different occasions. (You could even dress it up for work!)

One extra element that makes it special (on the light denim version that you see here) is that it has pearled snaps rather than buttons!

Sizing: It runs oversized as the name would suggest. I got a size 4 (FR size 36) and it was the right size for me (I typically wear a US size small in shirts). If you want it less oversized than it is on me, I would go down a size. I will note that sizes are selling out quickly, so if you want some alternatives, I’ve rounded up some below! It also comes in a darker denim, as well as tons of other colors if you prefer a different color Oxford!

Also similar is the Tomboy shirt, which comes in a super cute embroidered denim option if you want something a bit more feminine and cheeky!

Shop more oversized denim shirts here:


I love wearing an oversized denim shirt for a casual, sporty, professional, or even date night look. They add a lot of texture and movement to an outfit, which makes the whole look more interesting than a typical blouse. 

I hear often from all of you, though, that you struggle with styling your denim shirt. My recommendation is when you’re pairing your oversized denim shirt with different pieces, think about the juxtaposition trick

Since the shirt is oversized and shapeless, try combining it with form-fitting or more structured wardrobe-essentials. Think skinny jeans, tank tops, straight-leg jeans, and even denim shorts. 

Also, remember to mix styles! Since the denim shirt is more casual and rugged, pair it with more refined or sleek pieces for a really surprising and visually interesting duo! 

Contrast is the best way to style an oversized denim shirt. But, if you need more inspo, I’ve got denim shirt outfit ideas below:

Oversized denim shirt styles

If you really love an oversized denim shirt, feel free to experiment with other chambray and denim shirt styles! Whether you want to expand your denim closet essentials or, maybe oversized fits aren’t your fave and you’re looking for a way to play on this trend that suits your personal style–try searching for the following:

9 Oversized Denim Shirt Outfits

What to wear with an oversized denim shirt

Sezane denim shirt (also available in a darker denim and lots of other colors!) // Abercrombie 90’s straight white jeans // Claire V rattan grande fanny // Sezane coin necklace // Freda Salvador Keen mules // Ray Ban Hexagon Sunnies

OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT AND WHITE JEANS 

For a chic casual outfit, pair your denim shirt with white jeans! I know some people are nervous to wear denim on denim, but you don’t have to be when they’re not the same colors! Plus, the structures are different with the shirt being flowy and the bottoms being more rigid. 

For accessories and shoes, try neutral or rattan pieces that keep the look fresh and summery! Love this one and it’s so easy to wear. 

To front tuck or not? I specifically styled this without tucking–as I’ve heard from some of you that it’s just not your vibe, but that its hard to figure out how to style an UNTUCKED oversized shirt. Well, here you go! The secret is to ensure you’re wearing your oversized button down with a slimmer leg. It also helps if the jean is a bit cropped, which I find easier to style as showing a bit of ankle makes the look more refined. A pointed toed shoe also elongates the leg and helps avoid making the outfit look frumpy!

What to wear with an oversized denim shirt

Sezane denim shirt // Abercrombie Dad jean shorts (also available in Curve) // Birkenstock big gold buckle Arizona sandals // J.Crew perfect fit tank // Sezane coin necklace // Ray Ban Hexagon sunnies

OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT AND DENIM SHORTS

Here’s a true double denim look! I think this works well because the oversized shirt and the shorts are different washes. And, since the white shirt and open denim button-up break up the look, the denim on denim isn’t too overpowering.

For accessories, I went with simple gold jewelry and Birks. However white sneakers or a sleeker sandal would look good here too. The denim and white is such a classic and simple combo, you can pair it with almost anything! (Find more denim and white outfit ideas here.)

What to wear with an oversized denim shirt

Sezane denim shirt // Faherty shorts (reviewed here) // Teva sandals // Amazon ribbed bra/crop top

ATHLEISURE SET WITH OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT

Here’s a casual denim shirt outfit that you can probably assemble from pieces you already have in your closet! A bra top and comfy shorts are a simple look as is, but adding an unbuttoned denim shirt perfectly elevates it—while still keeping it comfortable. For the finishing touch, sandals or white sneakers are always safe to wear with denim. This is an outfit I wear to the lake, or it would be perfect for any outdoorsy trip!

denim shirt with athleisure

Sezane denim shirt // Abercrombie ponte onesie romper (reviewed here) // New Balance sneakers // Amazon baseball cap

ROMPER AND OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT

Pairing your denim with a romper is another smart way to create a chic athleisure outfit! White sneakers and a ball cap draw it all together and keep the casual/athletic vibe. You could even try this elevating this a little more with some trendy sunnies and gold jewelry! I also love wearing this outfit with birks instead of sneakers for a different twist!

denim shirt with jeans

Sezane denim shirt // Clare V. classic t-shirt // Sezane Brut Sexy jean in “Denim” // Ray Ban Hexagon sunnies // Everlane tennis shoes

GRAPHIC TEE AND OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT

I love finding new ways to dress up graphic tees. I own a million of them and I think they can add such a fun, cheeky twist to an outfit. One trusty way to elevate a graphic tee is to wear a denim shirt over it as a jacket. (Well, like a lighter version of a jacket. A shacket?) Knotting the shirt also helps give it some shape and interest. 

To complete the look, try sunglasses and white sneakers. I know, I’m a broken record, I wear a lot of white sneakers. They’re one of my go-to’s! (By the way, if you’re intimidated about keeping them clean, you aren’t alone–but you’ll want to read my tips for keeping white sneakers clean!)

Sezane denim shirt with biker shorts

Sezane denim shirt // Similar hat // Kizik sneakers (c/o- size down 1/2 size!) // Alo bike shorts //

OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT AND BIKER SHORTS

Biker shorts are another comfy wardrobe essential that we all wish we could wear every day! Since they’re form-fitting, a loose oversized denim shirt creates the perfect contrast. To finish up the outfit you just need your athleisure favorites! For me, that’s a ball cap and…yes…white sneaks! 🙂

Dad jean shorts outfit

Sezane denim shirt // Abercrombie dad jean shorts (also avail in curve) // Birkenstock Arizona sandals // Sezane rattan belt

OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT AND DAD JEAN SHORTS 

This oversized denim shirt look could easily be a daytime outfit, a casual look for a patio drink, or great summer concert outfit! It’s a pretty versatile outfit overall, and easy to style. Just roll up your sleeves and tuck your denim shirt into belted black jean shorts. I love a rough hem with a denim button-up too, as it’s a nice contrast to the polish of a button-up shirt!

Add a neutral belt to the shorts to add a little more visual interest and take the style up a few notches! Then, wear Birks to keep it more laid back, or you could add some espadrilles to make the look more feminine!

White linen shorts outfit

Sezane denim shirt // Abercrombie pull-on linen blend shorts // Amazon heeled sandals (TTS, one of the only pairs of heels I wear–I love them for weddings too!) // Sezane rattan belt

OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT AND WHITE LINEN SHORTS 

This is a similar outfit to the last one, but I used white linen shorts and heels instead. It just makes the ensemble a little more formal for brunch with the girls or a chic vacation vibe. Honestly, you could even wear this to work! No matter the occasion, I recommend some gold or statement earrings

(If you like these white shorts looks, here are more white shorts outfit ideas!)

denim shirt on black jeans

Sezane denim shirt // Similar scarf from Amazon (see how I tie my hair scarves here) // Similar cap-toe pumps // Madewell Perfect Fit wide-leg black jeans // Sezane Artemis belt

OVERSIZED DENIM SHIRT AND BLACK JEANS

Here’s an oversized denim shirt workwear look! I think wide-leg black jeans are great for work because they give you the comfort of jeans, but the professional look of trousers. They’re great for smart casual dress codes! This is also a great transitional look to wear now, or later.

To style the back jeans, I wore a tucked-in denim shirt, cap-toe pumps, and a belt. For the final touch, I tied a hair scarf, which is both practical (I like to stretch my hair as long as possible in between washes!) and cute for the workplace. I highly recommend trying out a hair scarf if you haven’t yet!

See?! Oversized denim shirts are versatile and chic! 

I hope this post helped you learn how to wear an oversized denim shirt in a way that works for your personal style! For more outfit ideas, check out the style section of my blog and follow me on Insta. Have a great week! 


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