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Your Leggings and T-Shirts Aren't Cutting It Anymore

Did I get your attention?!  Good! Because this is not a drill. The Covid pandemic is over and sloppy dressing is not doing you any favors. You may be thinking: "So are you saying that I can't be comfortable anymore?" and the answer is NO, that is not what I am saying. However, there is a way to dress in a comfortable way that is not sloppy and that has more refinement. 

Okay, so tell me WHY I can no longer wear leggings & tees

via GIPHY

In all honesty, friend, there are a couple of reasons. 

First, and most importantly, it impacts how you feel and how you take in and respond to information. There is scientific proof to this. A study was done in 2012  and found that what you wear can affect how you think! The study showed that people performed better on attention tasks when they wore a lab coat (thought to symbolize attentiveness) compared to their own clothes. However, just seeing a lab coat or wearing a different coat (like a painter's) didn't have the same effect. Basically, wearing clothes and their symbolic meaning work together to influence our minds. The phenomenon is called Enclothed Cognition.

What this means is that when you are wearing your sloppy leggings and t-shirts, your brain is actually not working as well as far as your performance AND they make you feel less smart.

The second reason is external. It's perception OF you. In our fast-paced world, first impressions are formed quicker than ever, within seconds. The clothing you wear is a large part of those first impression-making observations. Like dressing in a dated manner (wearing clothing that are out of style) subliminally suggests that your skillset is also dated in the workplace, when you are wearing clothes that are seen as sloppy, people are less likely to trust you and your capabilities. 

If you sat two women next to each other, one wearing leggings, a t-shirt, and trainers and one wearing a pair of knit wide leg pants and a cropped striped t-shirt and low profile white sneakers, the difference in impression made would be palpable. Both of those women are comfortable, but one looks more elevated because she put a bit of intention into her outfit.

So, what should you wear INSTEAD and still be comfortable?

There are some great options to consider when you want to be comfortable that are more elevated.  Here are some ideas to get the ideas flowing:

1. A comfortable matching set in a plush fabric. Make it a wide leg bottom.

2. A maxi dress


3. A pair of cropped Ponte knit pants with a soft t-shirt that is a bit dressier

4. A pair of cargo pants with a graphic t-shirt


5. A pair of joggers with a dressed-up hoodie


6. A jumpsuit


7. A comfortable wide leg pant paired with a top with some interest

Bonus styling tips:
  • Don't forget about accessories. They can be a simple necklace and a pair of stud or hoop earrings. 
  • Also, don't forget that instead of trainers, you should wear a low-profile sneaker or a simple ballet flat or metallic sandal.
  • Adding a 5-minute face to your look makes a big difference. A CC cream, a coat of mascara, a dab of blush, and a flush of color on your lips is all you need.
  • Instead of wearing a normal baseball cap on a bad hair day, choose one that has a bit of smooth texture, like faux leather, which will take the baseball cap look up a notch.

That's it!  You now know how to dress in a comfortable, casual way, but with an elevated style. Go forth in cozy style, my friend!

Stylishly Yours,





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