Dressing Down, With Style

No Sweats!

Here’s une femme’s version of stylish, comfortable dressing for leisure or at-home time. Most of the time during my non-work hours I’m in jeans or slim knit pants and a tee or sweater. One can be casual and comfortable, yet still look put-together.

Duchesse at Passage des Perles offers her take on take on retirement style today here. I think she’s covered all of the bases quite nicely and with her usual wit and keen eye.

Lisa at Privilege has also recently touched on this topic in her own inimitable way, and quite comprehensively, here and here.

And be sure to check out this post at Inside Out Style, where Imogen shows how to do Smart Casual in a hot climate.
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23 Comments

  1. My solution for what to wear in hot weather is linen, linen, linen. NOTHING is more comfortable. Yes, I know it wrinkles, but I don’t care. And the more it is washed, the softer it becomes. I have a few pieces that don’t require ironing anymore. My upper arms are too hideous to expose, no matter how hot, so I usually wear a tank top with a linen shirt over that. Then I try to accessorize – bracelets and cute earrings if it’s too hot for a necklace. And, a scarf can be tied onto your purse.

  2. Wonderful. I can see you so well in this outfit. And something you make clear, one does need a good casual bag. I’ve been toting around my patent LV and am beginning to think I need a Tampico or Longchamps etc. Thanks for the mention, it’s really wonderful to be part of this community.

  3. You really have an amazing grasp on fashion…something to wear for every occasion plus your packing skills could win an Oscar!

    I don’t even own sweats but do have some lululemon pants which I only wear to go to the Yoga studio.

  4. Ok Pseu, you’ve sold me on the J.Crew Minnie slacks. They’ve been in my shopping basket for weeks but you’ve shown me that I really do need them. Have you seen J.Crew’s new Valentina pump (2 3/4″ heel)? I’ll be purchasing a pair in Weathered Rose as a way to dress up the Minnie’s.

    THank you for all the links. I plan to follow them next.

  5. I agree. Sweats are never an option! Currently I’m “dressed down” (I am most days as a SAHM) in a long linen gray Eileen Fisher skirt and two layered tank tops. I only wear shorts when gardening or on a hike. Most people in my neck of the woods think this betrays a sort of snobbery or at the very least, vanity. But, in reality, it’s only because a sweat suit gives me (if not literally, then figuratively) hives!
    xoxo
    -Sonia

  6. As we spend most of our free time at home, it is important for the soul to get some attention too. So dress up.
    Domestic ware gets all too little attention in the blogs we write. Something must be done.
    Good for you for taking this subject out!

  7. Duchesse – doesn’t it look like a great spot to hang out over coffee?

    Rita – yes to linen! I’ve also become a big fan of linen jersey.

    Patti – thanks! I think elevating our off-hours style is a worthwhile endeavor!

  8. Sonia – I can’t remember the last time I had sweats in my wardrobe, but it surely must have been sometime in the 80’s. Your skirt and tank tops sound like a workable, comfortable and stylish option for summer.

    LPC – I think there are times when a casual bag is just right. I really love the Longchamps pliage bags for this. They come in a variety of colors and fold up when not in use.

    metscan – I like how you express that, “it is important for the soul to get some attention too.” Yes!!

  9. hostess – thank you so much! I think yoga pants are a different breed than sweats, provided they are in good shape. A few years ago around this part of the world, it seemed that velour tracksuits were the clothing of choice, and THOSE count as sweats in my book.

    laurieann – I love the styling of them but actually haven’t tried them yet. I’ve been scared off by the description of “our lowest rise” but having looked closely at the pictures, they don’t look super low. I may have to give them a go myself. And yes, hooray for lower-heel pumps!

    Susan Tiner – you are quite the intrepid seamstress! Back when I used to sew I was intimidated by knits.

    Belle – I second that motion! All in favor….

  10. I love your casual outfit. I love wearing knit capris — have been on the lookout for a good pattern.

  11. Pseu! Do you mean EF linen knit? If you or anyone else knows of another source, please let me know. I am mad for knit linen.

    J. Crew occasionally offer some knit linen sweater, and they tend to be cut looser than their other knits.

  12. My most favorite go-to summer dress ever ever ever is now on clearance at Boden in case anyone is in need of such an item. I can’t make links happen properly here, but if you go to Boden and search under “dresses” in the sale area, it’s the canvas shirt dress. The fabrics are all great fun. I have the tan, which is very light and goes well with a myriad of cardis and sandals. It has been my solution of choice all season when leaving the house, not wanting to look schlubby but not wanting to sweat profusely.

  13. i could not agree more! it’s only been in the last couple of decades (or so) that people have been dressing waaaay down….
    i’ve noticed that bad/good style choices are usually passed down. for instance: my mom never, ever wears t-shirts, flip-flops, sweats, etc. to run errands or around the house even unless she is sick or turning in for the night. she has always dressed tastefully and appropriately. even growing up poor, in the photos i have of her as a young girl, she was always clean and properly groomed. and now, i observe a lot of parents out in public- errands, lunch, dinner- in their ill-fitting faded tees and baggy sweats, shuffling in flip-flops or white sneakers. and what are their children wearing? same. it’s not about money at all but about caring about oneself and others we encounter.
    thanks for this post and the links; i’ll go have a look!

  14. ‘One can be casual and comfortable, yet still look put-together.’ Well said. This is something I learned from mu mother who is very elegant. Even if you are sick or running errands you still should be well groomed and neat. It speaks volumes.

  15. I would actually like all of the items from your style image: a gorgeous outfit especially for the weekend. Any recommendations for the best ballet flat brand? Fifi

  16. I am so happy that the sweat trend has cooled – although yesterday in the garment district I passed a place packing and shipping hundreds of velour sweat outfits and I had to wonder (as I shuddered) where they were going. I like all the alternatives that you have mentioned!

    xo Mary Jo

  17. Fifi B – glad you like the outfit! It’s hard for me to recommend a ballet flat, as everyone’s feet are different. I need lots of arch support, so my choices will be those that can accommodate orthotics. Some brands that seem to be popular are French Sole, Repetto, J.Crew (some of their styles have an invisible wedge, if you can’t wear a flat), Cole Haan, Arche.

    Susan – I haven’t seen those shoes actually, just chose them for color and style. Sometimes the items I include in the polyvores aren’t actual pieces I own, but approximations of what I have or just pieces that I’d like.

    Mary Jo – I can’t believe how *ubiquitous* those velour track suits were for a while; we even had women showing up to the office in them. Hope you’re right and that the trend is waning.

  18. Duchesse – my linen jersey pieces are mostly EF, yes, but I’ve also seen linen jersey tops (not sweaters) at J.Crew, and Nordstrom (can’t remember what brand, maybe Nic & Zoe). And if you do a search on Bluefly, there seem to be a few there too. LOVE the linen jersey, LOVE it.

    cafelatte – I’ll go have a look! I’m not really a dress person, but I know a lot of women find them to be a great option for looking pulled-together without a lot of coordinating needed.

    style odyssey – that’s an interesting observation. In my family, one didn’t go out unless one looked “presentable.” I guess style is just another value we’re raised with (or not).

    Lindsay K – thank you! And I think “well groomed” doesn’t have to mean “red-carpet-ready.” Simple things like pulling dirty hair back in an pony tail and just being neat and clean are do-able for most of us.