what I wore: WFH edit.
I have found myself in the midst of an unexpected busy season. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very thankful for this (more on what I’m doing now for another time) but on top of all the other adjustments we’ve all been making lately, it’s added another layer of an already flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants time and no one knows this better than my closet.
If you were the kind of person who set the bold intention of wearing “real clothes” throughout this pandemic, this post is not for you. If you’ve found new pairings that actually bridge the “day-to-night” look women’s magazines were always going on about (but maybe not what they meant) then hi, welcome to my coven. If you have no idea what I’m talking about and still find yourself completely uninspired by your options and/ or ability to wear things that make you feel good while working from home, this is for you. So let’s dive right in…
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This little Everlane number is linen and PERFECT for summer days sans A/C.
TEE SHIRT DRESS | I love dresses for their “on and done” ability. Just add shoes. Or don’t. This is your quarantine, your rules apply. But if changing out of your pajamas makes as much of a difference to your mental health as it does for me, slipping on something almost equally as comfortable is a pretty awesome way to start the day.
My picks: Tomboy Pocket Tee Shirt Dress ($58), Tie-Front Tee Shirt Dress ($68), Stretch Tencel Lyocell T-Shirt Dress ($198)
Any solid tank is no match for even the most patterned pant. This one is a high neck version from Madewell.
TANKS & TEES | If I’m a collector of anything, it’s versatile separates that I can wear just as easily with bike shorts (which I’ll mention next), over a midi dress (because that’s a lewk right now) with leggings or my favorite denim. Start with neutrals (black, white, navy, grey and tan) and in various cuts (crew neck, V-neck, U-neck etcetera) then as you get comfortable, add in some hues that are a bit more unconventional for you. I’ve been really into pastels lately so…that’s a thing.
Some good ones: Ave Tee Shirt ($45), Raw Edge Hangout T-Shirt ($45), Crewneck T-Shirt ($69)
A forest green hoodie (see below) and the softest heather grey. Naptime but make it fashün.
BIKER SHORTS | Honest to God I swore to myself I would never be on board with this look because I happen to feel like I have very long legs and absolutely no definition in my hamstrings so the thought of further compressing my already gangly (but beautiful!) self was not an aesthetic I was into. And yet…they’re the most comfortable things and feel like leggings without the extra fabric that makes leggings unbearable (and impossible) during humid New England summers. I can truly say that I really don’t know what I would have done without these during quarantine.
You’re going to love these: High Waist Pocket Bike Shorts ($49), High Waisted Biker Shorts ($68), Tie Dye Bike Shorts ($90)
HOODIE | If you’re blessed with the amenity of air conditioning, the luxury of a coastal safecation or just need something to curl up in, a quality hoodie is a necessity. When we snuck up to Lake Sebago in July, I was thankful to have a tried-and-true cozy layer to protect me from the bugs because folks, a hoodie really does it all. Should you decide that your collection could use a refresher, here are a few styles that I recommend:
Here, here and here: Trefoil Hoodie ($40), Solid Crop Hoodie ($48), Cutoff Hoodie ($68)
I scored this little number on a spontaneous trip to Marshall’s last year. Canubelieve?!
MIDI DRESS | Even if you’re not a “dress person” a midi dress is hard not to like. The length flatters every shape and size, works well for day-to-night activities and honestly looks so effortless that I truly have never met a midi dress I didn’t like. This is another closet “go-to” that I recommend stocking up on as a neutral first and then playing with color later. Trust me, you’re going to love it.
My favorites right now: Rib Midi Dress ($59), Muscle Tank Dress ($69), Racerback Midi Dress ($88)
My motto: Have enough pairs of leggings that you can’t decide which is your favorite.
LEGGINGS | Leggings have truly proved their worth during these uncertain times and I really mean that. What’s easier than starting your day with a fresh pair of leggings only to go seamlessly from work to an at-home workout? More than half the effort is already done as you’re dressed and home. Need to run out to pick up a few things for dinner/ pack for a quick overnight/ need something to layer a professional-looking tunic over? It’s simple and easy to make leggings work for you which honestly is the aspiration I have for almost everything in your closet. (Not the other way around.)
Need them, wear them, love them: Ultra Wide Waistband Leggings ($36), Ruffle Me Up Legging ($65), Compression Leggings ($80)
This pair reminds me of those trash bag pants. everyone used to wear from my ballet days. Except practical.
JOGGERS | Believe it or not, there will be a time again when we are wearing actual pants and when that time comes, I can’t say enough good things about the simplicity of pulling on a pair of pants that are quite possibly responsible for the birth of the fashion category ”athleisure”. While it kind of cracks me up that my spellcheck still marks that as a typo regardless of the number of times I’ve written that over the years, to that I say, the “athleisure” category is so wrong it’s right and joggers make that “I just worked out and now I’m at Whole Foods to put good things in my body” look feel so real.
What you’ll want: Jogger pants, ($39), Cozy Knit Jogger Pants ($40), Reverse Wrap Thread Jogger Pants ($42)
Can never go wrong with a white pair of denim. These are my favorite hi-waisted pair from Abercrombie.
JEANS | The item to wear when you don’t know what to wear. Since so much of what we do working from home is staring at a screen and our hearing our colleagues say “Can everyone hear me?”, what we have going on, sartorially speaking, from the waist up is all anybody is really noticing. But put some care into what you wear because ultimately, how you feel in your clothes can have a lot to do with how you present yourself generally and too tight/ too loose/ otherwise uncomfortable items aren’t do you or anyone any favors.
What I’ve loved: High Waist Chewed Hem Skinny Denim ($36), High Waist Raw Hem Ankle Skinnny Jeans ($36), Butter Skinny Jeans ($39)
American Eagle and Aerie are such wardrobe dark horses, I am TELLING you.
CREWNECK PULLOVER | If we’re being honest, this is my favorite cut for a cozy essential. And it looks chic without the extra bulk of a hood. Another thing about crewneck cut anything is that its versatile enough that you can often find creative ways to style it so it doesn’t look anything like activewear or loungewear. Solid colors tend to work better for this when you add a statement necklace or a scarf.
These are some good ones: Applique Oversized Crewneck Sweatshirt ($33), Raglan Sleeve Crop Sweatshirt ($43), Crewneck Sweatshirt ($59)
WIDE LEG PANTS | I consider these the socially acceptable pajamas with an extra chic factor. Look for a pair that hits at more of a “cropped” height (just above the ankle, between midcalf or lower) and wear with everything from bathing suits to bodysuits or tees, tanks and pullover tops. Just another way to diversify your wardrobe if you were looking for an excuse and the silhouette adds another element to wardrobe.
Try these on for size: Wide Leg Crepe Trousers ($40), Wide Leg Pants ($54), Wide Leg Pants ($99)
Pictured: One of my favorite open-front cardigans by Soft Surroundings
CARDIGAN | As the temperatures cool down, we’ll be looking for layers that keep us looking polished and feeling warm (no, bathrobes don’t count). I’m a big fan of cardigans that open in the front, button (even if I don’t use them) or have gorgeous detailing I can show off (even if it’s only to myself in a full length mirror). Autumn in New England can be finicky so having layers I can easily remove when, and if, I feel like it is a nice option to have.
For your browsing pleasure: Waterfall Cardigan ($28), Dolman Waffle Cardigan ($49), Stripe Texture Cardigan ($69)
DUSTER | Similar to it's cousin the cardigan, a duster is the lovechild of your bathrobe and your favorite blanket (but make it fashion). Its another versatile piece (that I also have in a variety of neutral shades) that you can use to layer or just feel a smidgen fancier in when the moment, or the temperature, hits you.
Not much to say other than these are so worth it: Notch Detail Duster ($45), Longline Cardigan ($59), Duster Cardigan ($108)
I know this looks like two pieces. but it’s not. cabi is just THAT good.
JUMPSUIT | And lastly we’ve come to what is arguably my favorite quarantine must-have, a piece that does all the work but is even more comfortable than a dress. Stop what you’re doing and get one in black because you can style jumpsuits all day, with or without extra layers and with all (and I do mean all) the accessories.
Big fan of all of these: Jessa Jumpsuit ($30), Print Ruffle Jumpsuit ($45), Slim Leg Asymmetrical Jumpsuit ($55)
These are just a few of my favorite quarantine things. You can shop others here.