How to Wear Boxy Tops

Co-authored by Candace Hanna

Last Updated: September 20, 2024

Selection

|

Outfit Ideas

|

Things to Avoid

|

FAQ

|

Tips

Boxy tops are a chic way to show off your love of fashion without being too revealing. These tops are cut into a loose box shape at the torso. The wider top gives your upper body a squared appearance that goes great with all kinds of outfits and body types. Learn how to pick the right boxy top for your shape and pair it with the perfect outfit to have you looking your best.

What Is a Boxy Tee?

A top with a boxy fit means it has a loose and wide square shape. These tops are cut straight across and typically slightly cropped, though they also come in regular lengths. Wear your boxy top with skinny jeans, a pencil or mini skirt, or wide-leg pants.

For popular FAQs on wearing boxy tops, jump to more common questions.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Selection

Download Article

1
Decide between a crop and a regular boxy top. Most boxy tops are either a standard fitted t-shirt length, or are crop tops. There’s a lot of variations within crop tops too--you can get a shirt that shows off your entire midriff, or one that just shows a hint of stomach. Think about what you’re most comfortable with before you buy a top.
- Boxy tops that end above the hips usually look better on most people.
2
Choose a fabric. Boxy tops hold the material away from your body, so you can try fabrics you wouldn’t ordinarily buy. A fitted shirt made of leather or layered crochet might not be your style, but in a boxy top the focus will be on the fabric itself, not on how it looks on your body.
- Boxy tops looks best in thicker, heavier fabrics like leather, knit, or linen. The thicker fabric helps hold shape together.
- Avoid boxy tops made of t-shirt-style fabrics like jersey or ultra-thin cotton. They tend to lose their box shape after a few washes.
Advertisement
This is a great opportunity to play around a little with patterns. Because your upper body is hidden, you don’t have to pay attention to whether or not a pattern is flattering for your body type. Focus entirely on what kind of pattern you think is attractive and what will match your existing outfits. Solid-color boxy tops look fantastic too!
The only part of a boxy top that should be fitted perfectly is the area around your shoulders. If your top is too tight at the shoulders, you won’t be able to move normally and you could rip the top. If it’s too loose, it might look more like a regular baggy shirt than a boxy top! Your top’s shoulders should line up with your actual shoulders--they shouldn’t sag lower or stick up.^{[1]
X
Research source}
5
Make sure your top isn’t tight. A boxy top shouldn’t rest against your bust, stomach, or hips, and it definitely shouldn’t be tight around those areas! Your boxy top should flow downward from the shoulders in a natural box shape without hugging any curves.
- If you can’t find a top that fits your shoulders and isn’t too tight elsewhere, buy a top in a size larger and take it to be altered.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Outfit Ideas

Download Article

Some boxy tops are available as part of a matching set, usually with a pencil skirt. Buying the matching set takes a lot of guesswork out of pairing your outfit. To make it stand out a little, wear some bright shoes or chunky accessories.
2
Layer your boxy top over another shirt. If it’s a little cold or you aren’t able to wear the shirt alone, layer it over another shirt. A white button-up is always a great choice, but any fitted shirt with sleeves longer than the box top will be fine. This look is best for crop tops.
- This is also a great look paired with a shirt with extra-wide or bell-shaped sleeves.
Since a boxy top hides your upper figure, contrasting it with something that shows off your lower body is an easy way to get a great look. Match your boxy top with skinny jeans or straight pants to add a little variety to your silhouette. You can even try wearing it with leggings!
Pencil skirts also show off your lower body, and they’re a great way to make your boxy top work-ready. You can buy pencil skirts in a variety of lengths--any of them will look great with a boxy top. It’s usually best to match a solid skirt to a busy top or vice versa, but you can also mix and match patterns for a daring look.
Pairing a boxy top with a tight miniskirt is great for nights out, especially if you want to show off a little but don’t want to show too much. It’s best to stick to fitted, tighter miniskirts instead of flared ones. An A-line or flared miniskirt with a boxy top can create a rectangular effect.^{[2]
X
Research source}
Try pairing your boxy top with a full, fluffy skirt. This look is best for wider skirts and crop tops. A longer boxy top will hide your waistline, and if your skirt isn’t very full, you can wind up looking like a long rectangle.^{[3]
X
Research source}
Normally, you should pair loose tops with tight bottoms. But if you’re willing to break a few fashion rules, try matching your boxy top with wide-leg pants. This look isn’t for everyone--it looks best if you’re tall, are wearing a crop top, and are wearing high heels.^{[4]
X
Research source}
When it’s hot out, a boxy top is a great way to stay cool--you get more breezes and less sweat with a looser top! Try matching your boxy top with a pair of shorts to beat the summer heat.
Any outfit with a boxy top will look better with a statement necklace. This is especially good for solid boxy tops, since it helps break up a big square of color. Longer necklaces are best for this look, but you can wear collarbone and choker necklaces too.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Things to Avoid

Download Article

Everybody has their own comfort levels when it comes to showing their body in public. Make sure your boxy top isn’t showing more than you want by checking how it rises in the front and the back. Before you wear your top out, practice standing up, sitting down, and raising your arms above your head. Look in the mirror or ask a friend to check where the top rises.
2
Avoid low-rise bottoms. Boxy tops look great with higher-rise bottoms. Low-rise bottoms can show more skin than the top is designed for, and they can make the top look like it's not fitted. Stick to regular or high-rise bottoms with your boxy tops.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- High-rise pants and skirts are a great way to make even a crop top work-appropriate.
Jackets tend to make boxy tops bunch up uncomfortably, and a heavy coat can make you look a little too boxy. Boxy tops are best worn in warm or mild weather. If you want to keep wearing your boxy top into the fall and winter, try layering it over a shirt or sweater, or taking off your coat as soon as you get inside.

Common Questions: Boxy Fit Meaning

Is boxy fit the same as oversized?

While boxy and oversized clothes both have a looser fit, they’re not the same. Tops with a boxy fit are wider around the torso but fit normally everywhere else. Oversized clothes are typically longer and baggier than a regular fit.

Should I size up for a boxy fit?

Boxy shirts are typically true to size, so get your regular size. If the fit is too baggy, get a size down. If you want more of an oversized look, get a size up.

What is the difference between a relaxed fit and a boxy fit?

Shirts with a relaxed fit are typically longer and looser than regular tops and made with softer fabrics. Shirts with a boxy fit are usually even looser than relaxed-fit shirts and more cropped.

Tips

Try your boxy top on in person before you buy it. Boxy tops can be hard to fit, so if you're buying online, be sure you're already familiar with the designer!

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0