How to Wear an Overshirt: Your Style Upgrade Guide

There's a fine line between not trying and looking casually put-together, and the overshirt holds on to this line. Too chilly for a tee, not cold enough for a full-on jacket? Grab an overshirt. Want to look sharp but in an effortless way? Grab an overshirt. It's the ultimate player in your wardrobe, smoothly linking the casual and the smart. Everyone wears them, from celebs to your mates, so it's time to master the men's overshirt style for you, too.

What is an Overshirt

Overshirts occupy a unique niche between a regular shirt and a lightweight jacket. They are typically made from slightly heavier materials than standard shirts, such as denim or flannel, and boast a boxier cut, as they should be worn over other garments. You'll often find these pieces with larger collars and equipped with various pockets—usually two chest pockets, but some have more intricate designs, including flap or bellows pockets. With roots in military attire and workwear, men's overshirts are commonly crafted from durable cotton twills or moleskines. However, their growing popularity has led to a diverse range of fabric choices today, spanning from linen to hopsack and wool.

How Should an Overshirt Fit

Overshirts are a great in-between option when it comes to casual dressing. Yet, they're thicker than your usual shirt and, as a result, don't fit the same way. To get the right fit, keep these things in mind:

• Collar: Wear overshirts buttoned up or open, but never pair them with a tie. Think of the collar area like that of a casual shirt, and make sure to leave plenty of space around the neck for comfort.
• Sleeves: Sleeves should have a comfortably loose fit to accommodate the sleeves of your undershirt, jumper, or tee, ensuring they never feel tight. The end of the sleeves should reach the tip of your wrist for a clean look when you wear a shacket over your undershirt, as the sleeve ends won't peek out. Ensure that the sleeves fully cover a jumper, though, for a polished appearance.
• Shoulders: The shoulder width should match that of a blazer, with the seam resting just below where the arm and shoulder connect. To ensure it fits well, try the overshirt over a regular shirt and a tee. Additionally, you may try it on with a sweatshirt to make sure it's suitable for any kind of weather.
• Chest: An overshirt serves well as outerwear and an underlayer, so it should be roomy enough to fit comfortably over another garment. Even so, when buttoned, it ought to sit smoothly across the chest without being overly tight or unflatteringly snug.
• Hem: The hem of the overshirt should fall right below the waist and just above the hips, similar to the fit of a denim jacket.

How to Style an Overshirt

An overshirt is your versatile companion you can style numerous ways to fit any season, occasion, or individual style. If you're excited to weave this trendy piece into your wardrobe and discover what to wear under an overshirt, keep reading. We're about to explore the stylish ways you can rock this timeless staple all year round.

As a Matching Set

You can always wear your overshirt as it is, but there is a way to easily elevate it to a smart casual level—wear it as a part of a matching set with a pair of suitable trousers. For such an ensemble, we suggest choosing an interesting textured material—corduroy, for example. Casual and durable, corduroy is a fantastic fabric for overshirts and pants.

For this look, try the corduroy set from Les Deux featuring the Corduroy overshirt and the Corduroy pants in a stylish olive shade. Add a fitted turtleneck underneath and finish the look with low-top sneaks.

With a T-Shirt

A classic workwear vibe always works. If you're just getting into overshirts or want something that fits a bunch of different occasions, grab a check overshirt to throw over a white t-shirt and dark denim jeans. Leaving it unbuttoned over a t-shirt creates a chill look, perfect for a relaxed night with friends.

Let's style the Check-pattern wool overshirt from A.P.C. with the dark Tapered slim jeans from Citizens of Humanity and the Crewneck loose-fit t-shirt from Les Deux. Simple, yet practical—such an approach is the easiest way to incorporate an overshirt into your daily looks.

With a Hoodie

Overshirts for men also perform well in a luxury sportswear context and certainly aren't limited to just workwear pieces. Try pairing yours with a sweatshirt or hoodie, sweatpants, and retro-inspired sneakers, and you've got an easy, everyday look for any errands or strolls where comfort should be a priority.

For our hoodie and overshirt combo, we paired the Check flannel shirt with the Logo-embroidered hoodie from Les Deux and the Drawstring-waist sweatpants from Aeronautica Militare. The neutral colors of the check pattern are reflected in the hues of the pants and the sweat. The result: a balanced and comfortable solution for your daily routine.

With Shorts

Another way to achieve a utilitarian look is by choosing a men's utility overshirt made of technical material and pairing it with utility or cargo pants or shorts. Match this ensemble with an inner shirt in a contrasting color and chunky shoes. An overshirt with shorts might sound like a strange combination, but it can work wonders when mixed well and balanced on the edge of technology, workwear practicality, and stylish appeal.

Moose Knuckles is well-known for its tech approach to outerwear, but not only—they craft casual attire with the same dedication to innovative fashion. Their Patch-pocket jacket styled with the Cargo cotton shorts and a dark tee underneath is an example of how an overshirt can beat the transitional season, offering just enough warmth and lots of urban vibes.