Welcome to a new week! Is yours a week full of possibilities or perhaps a Monday morning when you can hardly drag your self out of bed, let alone pull together a decent outfit? Yep; I have those days too. At the moment I’ve been having quite a few as I work later and the days get busier. But how do you cope with the clothing crisis this presents, choosing something simple, easy and comfortable? Many of you have emailed me to ask just what I do in these situations. Do I have a go to outfit or do I have a sneaky pair of flannelet pajamas hidden away for those days? While I don’t keep a single pair of “flannies” (the slippery slope to hell for me), I do have some basic outfits that get me through the tough days. So I’ve put together a little guide for you to my “At Home – Style Survival Basics”.
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It is cold. It is raining, and your bed looks just so good. But if you have to drag yourself out for a day of homework or housework, you want to be warm and comfortable. Inevitably, it is these days that you want to see no one, but you still end up having to race to the supermarket for milk. This outfit is as close to going out in pajamas for me as you’d ever see. Comfortable yoga pants, cool t-shirt and a long warm cardigan. All it takes it picking the right pieces when you shop for these items in the first place. Pick a t-shirt with a print or colour that makes you smile and a cardigan with shape and good detail. Anything that is baggy and oversized will make you feel like a Sasquatch – and that isn’t good for anyone’s self esteem! I keep arm warmers on hand (ha ha ) for the extra cold days, and especially if I am typing for a long time, as it seems my hands are prone to turning blue in those conditions! A pair of comfortable ballet flats will get you through all these casual outfits, but keep a pair of warm, stylish boots of hand for outdoor activities. I love these wedge boots for their stability as well as the fact that they look sleek rather than chunky as many boots do.
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It may be grocery shopping, catching a train, returning library books… whatever. This outfit is the perfect foil when you have serious errands to run, but are in no mood for getting super fancy. You can pop of a great beret and skip the sleek hair, as well as keeping the whole feel soft and comfortable with wide leg pants, a shaped but voluminous knit, as well as a bright coat to top it off. I stick to the ballet flats once again as fighting with a full shopping trolley in heels is likely to put you in hospital for a knee reconstruction! Adding a great spiky cuff and a pair of wicked eyed skull earrings should be just enough of a subtle warning for any other shoppers who feel the need to get chatty with you in your antisocial mood.
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Last, but by no means least, is the outfit you will most commonly see me in on those well earned winter weekends off. I like to call this one “Princess Cranky Pants”. It manages to be comfortable, stylish and yet all the while says, “Back away from the chocolate and no one gets hurt!” I keep two knitted black cashmere dresses. One long and one short. Pairing them with thick opaque stockings, a band to keep my hair out of my face, dark glasses to face the consequences of my actions and one statement accessory. The statement of this accessory is a particular favorite I came across putting this together for you and is now top of my Christmas list. Thanks Santa- I never said I’d be nice!
So there you have it. Simple, stylish and surprisingly easy. I’m sure you can find your own version of these basics in your own wardrobe. It just takes a little thought to create your own go to casual look, but once you have it sorted it becomes a mater of grab and go. If you have even only one of these outfits, you need never have a badly dressed day again- and you won’t even have to think about it!
I made the effort for hospital though to wear a grey skirt with navy blue tights; a white singlet and a maroon cropped cardi with grey ballet flats.
The nurses thought I was silly to get dressed and it made me think about your articles. I would have felt even worse if I had not been dressed!
I adore! I especially like the last one, so simple, so chic, and so awesome!
Oooooh yes. I too have these outfits. Around the house is nice black yoga pants, smart and shaped t-shirt and a slinky cropped cardigan.
MsIcy-Is-A-Crankypants consists of black asstastic pants, black crew necked t-shirt, black chunky shoes (or killer heels) and a an aggressive jacket.
However, I think your “statement ring” is missing from this ensemble. Where did you get this fashion essential? I think I need one.
Love them all! Especially the second # —— very SONIA RYKIEL !!!
Beautiful sunny day 2day in Melbourne! HOORAY!!!
Great suggestions. Love that drapey lavender cardi in the top photo…
that polka dot shirt from topshop is to die for!
I love them all, but I think the ‘bite me’ outfit is my favorite. I love that you have a sence of humor about your clothing. Life is too short to take oneself too seriously!
Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
Nice! Feeling especially cranky on this nasty, nasty monday morning. Love the bottom outfit! Wearing somthing nearly indentical to it.
Thank you for this posting! I have a lot of those Oh-no-I-slept-in-and-have-to-be-somewhere-in-twenty-minutes days! This is perfect!
iamemmamusic.blogspot.com
Ah
I love the Kawaii shirt from the top picture.
I actually have the matching wallet. And the bag is adorable as well!
I agree that cute flats are a must! I have 3 very active boys (6yrs, 18 mos and 3 mos) and there’s no way I can wear heels. Creative outfits! Thanks for the inspiration!
nice. that’s considered “very bothered” if you ask me. lol. yea, i’m a homeless bummer.
ohhh great picks! For me a fail proof outfit it’s what I wore to lunch on saturday (http://angelaseeangelablog.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/a-friend-to-all-is-a-friend-to-none/) a tshirt or simple blouse, one of my skirts, and flats.
But I also have days where I don’t get out of bed just so I don’t have to get dressed hehe.
XXASAB
PS. loved all your tweets during the vintage show.
Thank you, thank you, thank you… I have been sick all weekend, and while I have today off, I need to head back to work/school tomorrow and these outfits will help me feel snuggly and warm in the cold, cold weather.
Cheers!
~Paige
I, too, have some combo~outfits for days when one just doesn’t feel like thinking about it. (I must confess I do have flannel pj’s and nighty’s~~a must have in New England!!)
My late in the day accessory on this type of day is usually a wine/martini glass. . .lol!
I love all these outfits especially the second one.
Makes me wish winter was here again.
Just a quick question what would you wear when it’s hot and you’re not feeling up to getting all dressed up. Cause it’s heating up pretty quickly over here in Perth.
Haha Cranky Pants made me laugh. These are great outfits. Will definitely be taking notes.
-meream
Cranky pants is awesome, great looks.
I love all of these! I haven’t been feeling well lately, and I have been in desperate need for comfy yet stylish clothes. My PJ pants don’t quite do it
I love the errand essentials, that cute little beret would hide the worst hair days! Love your blog! – Eve x
I love the errand essentials! You put together such comfy-looking yet cute outfits.
I love all of these outfits!
It’s just good and full of good content.