How to elevate your at-home style
I tried to get into the whole loungewear thing; I really did. Maybe I’m just too Type A, but I’ve never been comfortable hanging out in my pajamas. And most sweats and loungewear just feel to me like wearing pajamas.
Today I’m joining up with some of my blogger friends to share ideas for upping our at-home style game. I can’t wait to see what they all come up with, and I hope you’ll visit their blogs (linked at the bottom of this post).
Easy outfits to elevate your stay-at-home style
I find that getting dressed for the day gives me a huge psychological boost. Even if I have no plans to go anywhere, I just feel more present and productive. But yes, comfort is a must.
Here are a few ideas for simple and comfortable, but elevated at-home outfits…
Refined leggings and a textured sweater
earrings (c/o) | sweater | bracelet (c/o) | leggings | shoes
Leggings can be a comfortable option for at-home wear. Details like front seaming, and notched hems add structure and polish to leggings. Look for fabric that’s substantial, not skimpy. Slim ponte knit pants are another option.
The relaxed textured sweater adds visual interest. (Here’s a more budget-friendly option.) The platform sneakers help balance the visual volume of the sweater.
A bright top with jeans & casual jewelry
earrings (similar) | sweater (similar) | necklace | bracelet | jeans | shoes
Want to instantly elevate your mood? Just add color! It doesn’t have to be orange, 🍊 though I love it. Any color that makes you happy will do. (Added bonus, the right colors will make your skin glow…)
These jeans have a slim fit, but lots of stretch too. I find them comfortable to wear all day.
Knit track pants and a refined sweater
earrings | sweater | bracelet | pants | shoes
My tip for wearing athletic-inspired styles without feeling like I’m headed to the gym is to combine them with more refined pieces. Swap out the sweatshirt for a more polished sweater. (Cashmere is nice, but cotton and silk blends are good too…)
And instead of sneakers, go with a pair of loafers, oxfords or other flats.
Don’t forget…
- Jewelry. You don’t need to pile it on, just add a couple of your favorite pieces. I don’t feel dressed without earrings!
- Fragrance. If you wear it, at-home days are a great opportunity to enjoy your favorites.
- Lipstick. I wear lipstick at home every day. It’s one of those “finishing touches” that helps me feel fully dressed and ready for the day.
For more ideas, please visit the blogs linked below…
Cindy Hattersley Design | Classic Casual Home | Most Lovely Things | A Well Styled Life
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When I’m home, depending on what I’m doing dictates what I’m going to wear. We have a lot of yard upkeep, so on those days I start out in yoga pants or sweats. Once I’ve finished the messy jobs I switch to jeans. Wearing something with a fixed waist band keeps me from over eating. I have to wear business casual three times a week so jeans are a nice at home alternative.
I love the way you mix jewelry – the silver pieces with the gold. Could you tell me what type of watch you are wearing in the second photo?
Hi Helga, thanks! The watch is a Cartier Tank Francaise I purchased secondhand many years ago.
I agree with you in that so much of this “loungewear” that I see in stores looks like pajamas.
Different fabrics, colors and styles, but nonetheless still pj’s. No thanks… it still feels like lockdown.
To Robyn’s point, wearing jeans (or any other real pair of pants with a button and fly) feels more like getting dressed and also keeping you more aware of extra lbs. that are sneaking up on you.
Susan, love the orange sweater and necklace. You look great in all these outfits.
I, for one, look forward to the return of real clothing to wear out of the house.
Just my 2 cents.
Hear hear. I totally agree with you. And I even take it up a notch as you know.
Lovely examples.
Greetje
You look great as always in your personal colours. I, also, do not wear sweats, and don’t own any. I wear jeans almost every day of some style and pair that with a sweater or shirt style top. I try to add earrings and a coloured lip balm and will add a necklace when I have to do the weekly groceries. I still want to look presentable when I leave the house for just that short time. There is the fact that where I live we are bundled up against the cold, so not much is showing anyway, but I still know, and i will not slip into the ‘don’t care’ zone that I see much too often out there.
Dressing in a nice outfit when you’re not going anywhere, or when you do and it’s covered up with a coat, is sort of like wearing pretty underwear…..no one sees it but you feel better just knowing it’s there! I’ve used this stay at home time to experiment in my closet….take the time to create new combinations…..I agree with you in that wearing sweats all day is like never really getting dressed AND it makes you lazy about your waistline…
Hi Susan: great ideas! Are you wearing small in the Vince leggings? And is the color ‘coastal’ or black?
Hi Sally, yes I’m wearing the Small and these are the “Coastal.”
Susan, can you remind me where you got your glasses? What color are they exactly? I love them and I’m trying to find something similar. Thanks!
Hi Sue, thanks, these are from SEE Eyewear.
Susan these were such great tips and I love Nancy’s comment about the zipper! So true. I think I need those Vince pants in gray that is when I lose a few pounds! Thanks for joining us you always have great tips!
Hi Sue just received a rude message from your site that I was ‘posting comments too quickly. Slow down’ then it removed my ONE comment! That’s never happened before. I am not a fast typist nor was I banging on the ‘submit’ button. Thoughts? It keeps doing it….
I’m sorry about that. There seem to be some glitches with comments today and I’ve reported to my tech support.
Curious as to whether the shoes in these pictures are just for the pictures, or do you wear shoes at home? I know some people do, but I can’t fathom wearing shoes around the house. It’s slippers or bare feet for me! I also know that many people feel that wearing shoes in the house is unsanitary and thus an absolute no-no. (That’s not why I don’t do it)
Hi Jill Ann, the leopard print loafers are my “house shoes” and only worn indoors. I do also wear sneakers indoors some days.
A very helpful post-and inspiring. But $295 for leggings???? I can’t imagine spending that on leggings; perhaps on Eileen Fisher ponte knit or other comfortable pants.
Still, I “get” the idea.
Hi Sally, these are actually more like a hybrid between pants and leggings. I’d wear them out to dinner under a longer top or jacket…
Great tips, Susan. I just can’t do the whole pj thing either. I get up and dressed, with jewelry and makeup everyday. I just feel better about myself when I do. I think I need those Vince leggings. You look great in them.
One email comment. All of a sudden your daily email is going to my junk folder. Don’t know why or if that happened to anyone else. On the clothes front, I got bored during this virus issue and bought way too much online. Switched back to my best colors after years of wearing “anti-fat” black. Once I was clothes saturated, I went on to accessories and now I just have too much and no need for more. Despite all of the clothes, I still find myself in workout tights and a fleece. Trying to get it together. I go in to my office but no need to dress up. So, like many others I feel I’m floating. One comment on the tucking in the front style….for me….it looks fun from the front but turn sideways and any stomach pouch is accentuated. Finally, a shout out to Talbots this year. I haven’t shopped them for 20 years or so as their style and quality just went frumpy and downhill. And then this year something changed and they knocked it out of the park IMHO with both colors and style.
Hi Jan, sorry about the email issue. It’s been explained to me that email platforms/providers sometimes tweak their spam filter criteria, and emails suddenly start getting flagged as junk. What has been suggested is to designate “[email protected]” as a Safe or Preferred sender, or whitelist unefemme.net in your email settings. That should resolve the issue. If it doesn’t, please let me know.
Susan, I get it. I don’t own lounge wear. Always, even through out this past crazy year, if I am not in my studio painting, I dress to feel good if I walk by a mirror. I’m high casual and in my part of Arizona, I’m out of place…never outside without my black custom made O’Keeffe style hat. It does complete an outfit, and since I’m 4’10” and 87 lbs it makes me taller. At 78, I figure I can wear what makes me happy. (alway been that way, even with my paintings.)
Just want to mention, you’re looking good gall!
Susan, You are so right about color. Yesterday I wore an orange sweater and vest and felt pretty good until I saw what was happening at the Capitol. I have the same Birdies…love that they feel like a slipper but you can wear them out. Great post. Thanks for doing this with us!
Mary Ann
…just a word about outdoor shoes inside. When Covid hit many of my hospital colleagues asked about wearing our ‘work’ clothing home. Us non scrub wearers chose to wear street clothing to work, changing into scrubs then changing again before leaving. It was suggested to us that shoes worn home from work be removed before entering the home and left in the garage if one was available or placed in a plastic bag and left at the entry to the home,apartment etc.
I remember living in an eleventh floor condo and our cat (who never went out) got fleas!!!! Our vet said that fleas can enter the home via shoes, it was Fall when les puces are looking for a winter home so the vet’s comment made perfect sense. We treated the unit and kitty and started taking outdoor foot wear off at the door. Never had fleas again. Since then we have always removed outdoor shoes at the door and left them in the mud room or garage.
Can Covid enter your home via your shoes? It’s a remote possibility but by removing your shoes you prevent many unseen and unwanted hitchhikers entering your living space and Covid19 could be one. I never want to take chances with my own or my family’s health and at the very least it makes for a cleaner home and protects hardwood floors.
Susan,
I adore your style! I need to shop these looks and build a wardrobe like this! Comfortable, casual, but so pulled together!
xo
annie
Hi Susan,
Today I enjoyed your 3 outfits. You’ve really adopted the wonderful new color pallet and then looking so youthful. Lately I’ve wondered what the outfits look like from the back. I usually check the backs before ordering pants especially. Could you figure a way to show the back maybe with your head turned and your smile facing the camera?
I wish you good health and stamina in 2021.
Always enjoy your posts, Susan. I also signed up for your weekend edition. The problem is, your photos don’t come up i.e. the ones of Lake Como. Maybe your tech staff could work on this problem. Thanks!
Hi Elizabeth, it may be that your email is blocking the images from a source it is unsure of. If you look at the top of the screen when you open the email, you may see an option to “trust content from [email protected]” or “show blocked content.” If you click on that, the images should display. You can also add my email to your “safe” or “trusted senders” list.
Let me know if this doesn’t resolve the issue.
I love your style. Unfortunately, I’m unable to afford most of the clothing. It does give me some good ideas. I will just have to adapt for my budget. I understand your thinking about dressing up while being at home. It’s good for one’s mental health. I deal with physical pain, so I dress for as much comfort as possible when at home. That, for me, is good for my mental health! Thank you for the time you take to share your thoughts and ideas.