It’s crazy to think that some parts of the country have now been in quarantine for 6 weeks. There are times when I think our family has finally adjusted to this “new normal” & then there are times when I feel like we’ve all got cabin fever & we’re going to lose our minds. For most of us, the novelty has worn off by now & we’re working hard to stay afloat under these difficult circumstances.
I’ve been emailing with many of you and hearing your stories about how this crisis has affected your families. I keep hearing over & over again your requests for more “real life” outfits…and I get it. I think we’re all tightening up our budgets right now and focusing on the practical over the aspirational. So today’s post is all about pieces you can wear while you’re self-isolating that will make you feel like you put a little effort into your look. I personally have discovered that getting dressed each day increases my productivity, boosts my mood and gives me more confidence – though I still reserve the right to have a “pajama day” here & there when needed!
For the first couple of weeks of quarantine, I was pretty much exclusively wearing some form of athleisure. Whether you choose a fun tie dye sweatshirt or comfy joggers, nothing beats the ease of these cozy loungewear staples. I think these pieces can be worn out of the house if you add one structured item (I chose denim here). Obviously, if you’re working from home, you could just wear socks or slippers, but I styled all of these with shoes just to show the type of footwear that I think works best with each look.
LEFT: Similar Jacket, Universal Thread Tee, Daily Ritual Joggers, Similar Sneakers
RIGHT: Isabel Sweatshirt (similar here, here or here), Gap Jeans, Similar Sneakers
One of my favorite ways to make casual separates appear more polished is to opt for a monochrome look as your base & then add a neutral layer on top – this method is perfect for the spring & summer months especially. This lightweight jacket is great to throw on if you’re heading out the door to pick up groceries or take the dog for a walk – I love the adjustable cinched waist & relaxed fit (recommend sizing down).
If you haven’t found your perfect pair of white jeans yet, I cannot recommend this Everlane pair enough. The fit is so flattering, they don’t stretch out with wear (no baggy knees!) and they’re made from a thicker denim that isn’t sheer & that helps smooths out any lumps & bumps. I found these to run true to size & I got the regular length (I’m 5’8″).
LEFT: Elizabeth & James Jacket, LOFT Tank, Similar Jeans (here or here), Universal Thread Mules
RIGHT: Similar Cardigan (here, here or here), Similar Tank, Everlane Jeans, Similar Mules
For those of you who are doing frequent video calls for work, it’s nice to have a few nicer tops to wear – and since they will only be seeing the top half of your outfit, you could easily throw sweats or leggings on the bottom & no one would be the wiser! These tops are great work-from-home options because both of them are made of a soft & stretchy tee-like material through the torso with poplin sleeves that have pretty details. I think these will transition well into the summer with skirts & shorts too.
LEFT: A New Day Top, Everlane Jeans, TopShop Heels (similar)
RIGHT: Stradivarius Top, Gap Jeans, Similar Heels (40% off w/ code SUNSOUT)
Raise your hand if you love spring sweaters! I recently picked up both of these v-neck cardigans that have a relaxed feel & open weave that I think will be ideal through the warm weather months & straight into fall. I used my clear elastic trick for the crochet knit sweater to give it a knotted effect, but you could also front tuck this into jeans (would also be great to throw on over a swimsuit with cut offs too). Both are on sale now & under $30!
LEFT: Sonoma Goods For Life Cardigan, Similar Jeans (here or here), Express Snake Print Mules
RIGHT: RD Style Cardigan, Gap Cami, Similar Shorts (here or here), Similar Sandals (40% off w/ code SUNSOUT)
Have you heard about #FancyFriday? I’m not sure who originally launched the concept with the corresponding hashtag, but the idea is that every Friday, you get dressed up just for fun. We started making Friday’s our in-home date nights – we usher the kids to the basement, put on some fancy clothes, order takeout from a local restaurant, play music & light a few candles. It’s a simple way to break out of the quarantine monotony & help things feel a little more special. If you’re single, you can get dressed up & schedule a virtual cocktail hour with your girlfriends via FaceTime or Zoom!
LEFT: All in Favor Midi Dress (similar here), Similar Heels (40% off w/ code SUNSOUT)
RIGHT: Glamorous Long Sleeve Midi Dress, Marc Fisher Heels