Oversized Tops - Outfits For Day And Night

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The big-and-bold silhouette trend shows no signs of shrinking. Around the globe, designers continue to favour cocoon coats, diaphanous skirts, and airy tunics. Of course, with great proportion comes great responsibility, and admittedly, the very real risk of looking more like a bag lady than a fashion aficionado.

The secret is in the balance: offset a supersized top with skinny trousers, or an A-line maxi with a sleek cropped style. Need examples? We’ve taken one square-cut top and created three dream looks to wear out on the town. These outfits are so good you (almost) won’t mind the cold.

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The Birthday Supper
You’ve clicked "attending" on the Facebook event for your fashion-conscious BFF’s birthday dinner — now you have the ever-tricky task of deciding what to wear. Pair your trusty tunic with zingy, slim-fit trews and pointed chunky heels. Add a faux-fur coat and a pair of dramatic false lashes, and voilà: the perfect smart-casual mix when jeans and a nice top won’t cut it.

Clockwise from top left: Sophie Hulme Tailored Trousers, £350, available at Matches; Ainea Black Faux Fur Anita Coat, £375, available at Avenue 32; COS Square-Cut Top, £55, available at COS; Eylure Naturalite Strip Eyelashes No. 140, £5.26, available at Feel Unique; ASOS Quilted Duffle Bag, £30, available at ASOS; Topshop Joe Block Heel Court Shoes, £52, available at Topshop.

The Daytime Date
Tinder has been fruitful: You’ve secured a date for this Saturday. Midday gallery hopping calls for a slouchy top and skinny jeans. You want to look like you made little effort — "Oh, this is just something I threw on" — while parading your newly toned thighs (those January-gym visits have done wonders). Work that COS top with olive jeans, camo boots, and orange-red nails.

Clockwise from top left: COS Square-Cut Top, £55, available at COS; strong; rag & bone Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans, £190, available at Harvey Nichols; Isabel Marant White Hoshi Star Resin Pendant Necklace, £45, available at Liberty; Balenciaga Classic City Gold-Edge Leather Tote, £1,265, available at Matches; Topshop Nails in Collegiate, £5, available at Topshop; Dune Black Pony Chelsea Ankle Boot, £165, available at Dune.

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Night Out
When you’re going large — and we mean sartorially and socially — don’t be afraid to show a little skin. A flash of leg beneath Zara’s snappy leather shorts offsets the tunic’s oversized fit nicely, making it perfect for hitting the club. The finishing touches? Vampy lipstick and chunky gold jewelry.

Clockwise from top left: Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick, £4.99, available at Feel Unique; H&M Jacquard-Weave Coat, £39.99, available at H&M; COS Square-Cut Top, £55, available at COS; Mona Mara Peace Hand Necklace, £48, available at Wolf & Badger; Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini Clutch, £675, available at Harvey Nichols; Zara Shorts, £29.99, available at Zara; Proenza Schouler Peep-Toe Ankle Boots, £560, available at Net-A-Porter.