Image via Birdies
The all too common fear of being all dressed up with nowhere to go has officially shifted into an everyday reality for most of us. Perhaps you’ve continued dressing up to maintain some normalcy in your day-to-day life, or maybe you’ve joined the masses in opting for the more comfy wardrobe options your closet has to offer. Whichever end of the scale you find yourself on, the truth is that comfort and style, in the past, have not really been mutually exclusive. These new quarantine wardrobe essentials will have you looking professional, but feeling comfy and cozy.
The Right Footwear
Just because you’re not leaving your home doesn’t mean that your feet don’t require some styling. Especially as the seasons change, comfort and warmth are crucial to feeling ready for the day ahead of you.
Our Pick: The stylish flat that’s secretly a slipper – Birdies Slippers, price ranges, (click here).
Forgiving Work Pants
Professional attire is not known for its comfortability, but that’s not to say there aren’t comfortable pieces out there. While the traditional trousers and pencil skirt might not cut it when you’re working from your couch, trendy new options can, excuse the pun, help pick up the slack.
The most forgiving options are typically composed of polyester and spandex blends, offering the give of sweatpants, without the lazy appearance. Plus, they don’t require an in-person fitting for the perfect size.
Our Pick: Mango Palazzo Knit Trousers, $79.99 (click here)
Cozy Cardigans
Odds are, you’re not looking to overstock your closet with new apparel items when there’s nowhere to show off your new buys. Cardigans are the perfect closet staple, as they offer essentially endless outfit pairings, all with a single piece of clothing. This season, the cardigan options available at most retail stores veer into the most comfy fabric selections, shifting the problem from “what do I buy?” to “how many cardigans is too many?”
Our Pick: Madewell Bubble-Sleeve Cardigan Top, $55 (click here)
Oversized Sweaters
By the same token, oversized sweaters should be a staple piece in your closet as we transition into fall. Not only will they make up the section of your closet that you return to again and again, but they will also ensure you feel snug as a bug in preparation for the most stressful of days.
Oversized knits can be dressed up or down as needed. A day spent working hard without interaction requires a simple legging pairing, while you can take on a day of virtual meetings confidently with the addition of some jewelry or a fashion scarf to elevate your look.
Our Pick: Free People So Low So High Cashmere Sweater, $148 (click here)
The Sweater Dress
Finally, if you are looking for a piece that’s even more business-friendly, sweater dresses give the illusion of elegance while simultaneously offering a level of comfort equivalent to your favorite pair of pajamas. There’s an endless variety of sweater dress styles out there, inclusive of form-fitting options, turtlenecks, long or short sleeves…the list truly goes on and on. All you need to do is determine which style leaves you feeling the most at ease (and empowered), and shop away!
Our Pick: Abercrombie & Fitch Fit & Flare Sweater Mini Dress, available in 3 colors, $79 (click here).
Looking professional does not have to come at the expense of your comfort. In fact, the most empowering outfits are those that you feel the most secure in. So take the most important elements of your personal style, select a few staple comfort pieces, and let your outfit do the rest. Stay-at-home orders may have impacted aspects of your social life, but they can never take away your affinity for fashion!