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The Dress Down in Style

At this point, I think we can all agree that morning routines have greatly changed over the past five months.

Before, you’d wake up and have your get-ready-to-face-the-world routine that could have involved a variety of activities from showering, to shaving, to wearing makeup and eating breakfast. The one thing that most of us did do was get dressed, maybe even dressed up on some days. But here this summer, and for the foreseeable future, getting dressed up is no longer a necessity. In fact, at the beginning of this pandemic and quarantine, you may have spent the whole day in your PJs. Of course, that can take a toll on mental health, and most experts agree it is a good idea to change out of your sleep clothes and into clean clothes and try to establish a work-from-home routine. So, instead of dressing up, we’ve been dressing down, which doesn’t have to be sloppy or even unstylish. There’s nothing wrong with sweatpants and leggings, but there are casual outfits you can wear around the house that are cute. Here’s a rundown of the pieces and looks to help you lean into some casual-cool apparel that encapsulates the ongoing dress-down trend.

First up, soft pants. As opposed to standard trousers, softer pants feature an elastic waistband and are rendered in forgiving material with stretch. Soft pants are a comfy alternative to jeans, think drawstring pants, or pull-on pants. Running shorts and knit shorts also fall into this category. I like my soft pants also to have pockets and prefer neutral shades like black, white, and olive. Of course, you can go for a more novel pair like tie-dyed sweats, or boho printed joggers, as long as they are comfortable and clean.

Next up, basic tops. If you haven’t already, now is the time to stock up on plain tanks and tees. Ribbed racerback tanks are essential here in summer. I’d recommend having a couple in both black and white, then a few pop-of-color options, like red and teal. You can wear them on their own and then use them as a base layer come the colder season. For fall, consider basic V-neck and crew-neck t-shirts, and, come winter, look for long-sleeved Henley style shirts in burgundy, grey, and navy. One thing about basic shirts is that they can be worn dressed down, then also paired with jeans and other pants for when you leave the house.

For even more ease and comfort, you can’t go wrong with a flowy dress. I explored house dress options at the beginning of the stay-at-home order and found that causal dresses were on-trend even before the pandemic. From tiered smock dresses to slinky slipdresses, and everything in between, there are a ton of frock options. I’m a fan of anything with pockets, in a breathable fabric, that can be thrown on — no zippers necessary. For summer, a shirred bodice is a classic, yet comfy style. As we look to the fall, I’m looking at oversized sweater dresses.

For your feet, you can’t go wrong with slides. I like the ease of slides as opposed to lace up house shoes during the warmer months. You can always go with flip-flops; however, I personally prefer a more supportive footbed like a Birkenstock or an athletic sandal. True, a supportive sandal may make you think of orthopedic options, but orthopedic shoes have come a long way in recent years. There are some sleek and sporty styles out there. There’s no shame in being kind to your feet: Even if they are stuck at home, treat them right!

Lastly, don’t count out knitwear just because it’s still summer. A ribbed dress or “soft” matching sets are cozy, slightly luxurious options for dressing down in late summer. On milder days here in August, consider throwing on an oversized loose-weave cardigan as an alternative to a coverup if you’re lucky enough to be lounging poolside. Or, if you’re stuck working from home, pair your soft pants and basic top with a cropped summer sweater, so you’re not frozen out by air conditioning at your desk. Also, crocheted pieces are an unexpected add-on to add texture to your casual outfit.

Hopefully, you already have a few of these pieces in your wardrobe, so you can start mixing and matching up some low-key looks. If not, consider stocking up, because we’re in this for the long haul, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t dress down in style.

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