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Megan LaRussa Chenoweth is a Birmingham-based personal fashion stylist and fashion expert dedicated to helping women both look and feel their best. Today, she discusses the value of getting dressed each day and how it can positively affect your mindset during these uncertain times. For more of her style tips, videos and guides, visit her website at StyleYourselfChic.com.
Social media right now is a sea of witty memes, inspirational quotes, and informative articles all focused on what’s happening in our world with the COVID-19 pandemic. One quote I saw on Instagram that really spoke to me as a Style Coach was, “No matter how you feel…Get up. Dress up. Show up. And never give up.”
Image: Pinterest
This quote perfectly sums up what my Style Coaching clients and I have been discussing the past few weeks as many of us are practicing social distancing and spending a lot more time at home.
It’s important to remember that even though we are not going to the office, out to dinner, to a wedding, or to lunch with a friend that we should still get dressed in real clothes daily. It’s so easy when spending more time around the house, whether by yourself or with your family, to go down the slippery slope of wearing pajamas or loungewear all day, everyday. You may think what does it matter how I look if only my pets or family are seeing me. And while I am sure your pets don’t care if you are wearing activewear or a stylish outfit, what matters is how YOU feel.
There have been countless scientific studies that prove that what we wear directly impacts the way we think and feel about ourselves. And during times of uncertainty it’s especially important to maintain some semblance of normalcy and that includes getting dressed for the day.
Whether you are working from home, homeschooling the kiddos, or taking this time to organize your house, why not try starting the day like you normally would getting ready and then rocking a casual, comfortable outfit. The clients I have been FaceTiming with the past week have all said to me that having these types of outfits on hand has been a game-changer in making them feel more productive, confident and all-around more ‘normal’. What’s not to love about that?!
To help you ease out of those pajamas and into something that’ll make you feel better, I’m sharing some of my favorite casual outfit formulas below that you can emulate with the items already living in your closet.
Outfit Formula 1: T-shirt Dress or Jumpsuit
Don’t get me wrong, I love my pajamas and loungewear as much as the next person, but something that can be equally as comfortable is a dress or jumpsuit in a t-shirt or even sweatshirt material. This is my personal favorite outfit to wear when working or spending time at home as there’s no waistband, and I still look and feel pulled together. Lastly, this look is for all ages, not just the 20-somethings, just make sure to select a dress or jumpsuit style that feels flattering to your body type and age (for example: length, fabric, and sleeve).
A throw on and go shirtdress is an easy casual outfit. It’s literally one-and-done, and is like wearing a big t-shirt but much more polished! Image: J.McLaughlin
T-shirt dresses come in all lengths and silhouettes these days. A midi length option with side slits for easy mobility is comfortable and effortlessly chic. Select the print and/or color based on your personal style. Image: Anthropologie
One of my favorite casual wear options is a jersey jumpsuit. It’s another one-and-done option that looks modern and feels fantastic. Image: Nordstrom
Outfit Formula 2: Joggers + Graphic Tee
Joggers have become quite popular given the boom of the athleisure trend. This pant style can be more traditional with a tight fit at the ankle, or they can be more relaxed with a loose ankle-length leg. It really depends on your body type as to which style best suits you. The wonderful thing about joggers is I’ve seen them come in a variety of fabrications. My clients have loved the cotton-linen blend options, as well as the tencel ones for a breezy feel. But of course you can opt for a jogger in a classic sweatshirt fabric too. Now to complete this stay-at-home look, grab a cute tee and half-tuck it for a flattering feel. The tee can have a graphic print, a fun sleeve, or a happy color to give your outfit some interest.
Joggers come in many different fabrications, so select the fabric that’s most comfortable for you and your climate. These gauzy cotton pants are the perfect spring/summer legging alternative and are especially chic when paired with a graphic tee. Image: Shopbop.com
Remember that leggings are not pants, and so it’s best to select something like these cozy joggers for a stay-at-home look. I promise it’ll be more flattering! Image: Loft
Outfit Formula 3: Comfy/Stretchy Jeans + Up-leveled Tee
Jeans have come a long way, and many are more comfortable than ever with the inclusion of spandex and other stretchy materials. So grab your most comfy pair of jeans (which are just as easy to throw on as leggings) and an up-leveled tee and you are literally done! I love using the term ‘up-leveled’ as it is an easy way to feel more polished without sacrificing comfort. Up-leveled simply means taking a basic garment, like a t-shirt, and adding interesting details to it such as a ruffle, a print, a fun color, or a texture.
A graphic tee, especially one promoting your favorite band, is very in style right now…not to mention comfortable! Pair your tee back with your go-to jeans and you’re good to go! Image: Shopbop.com
A tie front top is a very flattering up-leveled tee option. It also is nice for those that aren’t up for mastering the half-tuck. A t-shirt like this one is a one-and-done option where minimal accessories are needed. Image: Bloomingdale’s
If you aren’t a huge print person, why not try a tee with some texture or interest. Ruffles are feminine, current and add some personality to an otherwise basic tee. Image: Neiman Marcus
When our normal lifestyle is disrupted, it is very easy to let self-care fall by the wayside, but remember by taking care of yourself you are more likely to feel like your best self and that is invaluable during times of uncertainty. And a simple way to implement self-care is by getting dressed and creating a daily routine. I always tell my clients to start small, as baby steps tend to lead to lasting results. Perhaps that means making a commitment to wear real clothes 3 days a week, and then gradually build up from there. Don’t worry this doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the occasional day in loungewear, but I think you’ll soon realize how much better YOU feel when wearing one of these up-leveled casual outfit formulas.
And for more style inspiration, I’d love to connect with you on your favorite social media platform: instagram.com, facebook.com, and pinterest.com.
Sending you lots of well wishes!
This article is sponsored by Megan LaRussa.