Confessions and keeping it real - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Confessions and keeping it real

Karie

(website)

Veteran

OK, confession time. For as dressy as I get at work and when going out, I dress like a total slob when staying at home. Seriously, folks. Old baggy sweatpants and any old stained sweatshirt are (were) completely normal for me. A few years back, my nephew came to live with us for a while. "Gee, Aunt Karen" he said, "There sure is a big difference between the way you dress when you go places, and the way you dress at home!" So I decided that this fall I was going to change my at home style. Now I'm not one to even wear jeans at home, so I decided track pants, leggings, and upscale/nice sweatpants were the way to go.

Pic 1 - Blueish green leggings - F21, black hooded poncho - JCP, house loafers - Target
Pic 2 - How look #1 evolved into a going out to church look - Same top, added a necklace, changed into my Old Navy Diva black jeans, boots are Freebird by Steven.
Pic 3 - Worn for a day totally at home. Black sweatpants, scrunched up, knee socks, scrunched down, and top - all Old Navy
Pic 4 - Worn to work. The blazer didn't photo very well, it's blackwatch plaid from BR, navy pinstripe skirt - JCP, ankle strap shoes - Ivanka Trump
Pic 5 - Changed from WIW in pic 4 to meet a girlfriend for coffee. Same shoes, velvet track pants - Joe Fresh, cable knit sweater - F21, statement necklace - Charming Charlie.
Pic 6 - Changed again from pic 5, and once home from Starbucks, it was time to relax and catch up on my reading. Everything's the same except no necklace, cozy socks and slippers (not house loafers) - Target

I applaud those of you that stay beautifully dressed when at home after a long work day, and on weekend days at home when the cleaning, errands, and outings are done. It just isn't me! But I do hope my at-home style is improving.

Comments, etc. are welcome. What is your typical at-home attire?

This post has 6 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

25 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

Aida

Veteran

I admire those who have beautiful at-home attire too! Me? I wear PJs :p Occasionally I'll wear a button-up sleep shirt with cropped leggings, but mostly a fluid tee and wide flannel bottoms, all of which really need
upgrading (of course I'd much rather spend that money on pretty fun things ><). On the weekend I step it up just a tad, usually with jeans and a sweater in case we pop out of the house, but really I just lounge in PJs when lounging is to be done. I think I'm OK with that, so really I should just get nicer PJs. Your at-home attire looks good to me

The work outfits are great as usual. Totally adore #5, where are the track pants from?

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Aida! The velvet track pants are Joe Fresh from JC
Penney.

kellygirl

Veteran

Great convertible looks! I really love all of these! I don't really have lounge wear but my every day clothes are so casual they pretty much function as lounge wear. I think that's the main difference. (I never stayed in my work clothes when I got home.) 2 and 5 are my faves! You have certainly succeeded in upping your game at home! Well done!

Staysfit

Veteran

I am too exhausted to even think about at home attire at the moment but I absolutely adore yours! Perhaps I should put a lounge wear upgrade on my to do list. It would have to go on the bottom, below all my other nagging and currently ignored ignored tasks. Until then it's flannel PJ's as soon as I get home and then a strong hope that no one rings the doorbell!

Tania

Veteran

I think your at home wear looks good.

I stay-at-home/homeschool/homestead, so my at-home gear is important to me. For a long time, I would squeeze in homesteading activities whenever I could and I dressed the part (old jeans, whatever shirts I had, old sweaters, rips/stains) so I could work outside when I had the chance. I realized that the clothes started to define me. I didn't feel comfortable going out, or saying yes to different events. Then I was ill for a while and it seemed like a cycle.

I recently tossed any really cruddy stuff (stained, holes). I sorted what was left into a wearable but older "work-outside" pile and into hiking/technical gear. I was left with almost nothing. I am in the process of building up my wardrobe to reflect where I want my priorities to be. I want to take my kids places, go out with my husband, meet friends, etc. I'm targeting a small nice but casual wardrobe, with a few special items. I don't wear PJ's except when I am sleeping, but I spent a great deal of time feeling ill for a few years and want nothing to do with that phase! My clothes are pretty casual comfy anyway. If I need to do anything dirty or sweaty, I change first. Or I'll wear an apron!

MsMary

Veteran

Karie, I love all your outfits!!

I kind of ignore this issue because I go to the gym almost every day after work and then stay in gym clothes until bedtime. On Saturdays I'll often stay in gym clothes, too, if I'm not going out. On Sundays it's jeans in winter and shorts in summer. Generally I'll toss on a cute tee or one of my beloved lightweight American Apparel sweatshirts if it's a super casual day. Oh, and flip-flops are my at-home footwear of choice 365 days a year! LOL

shiny

Veteran

YL totally F!! I'm particularly loving the F21 leggings in pic 1, and that poncho.

Do you wear shoes in the house? I/ we don't, nor am I a slipper fan, so that makes it easier to allow the rest of the outfit to degrade into slovenliness. Ha!

I also cannot stand wearing "proper" pants or jeans at home. I need loose, comfy, non-confining pants at home, which usually translates into lounge wear or leggings (smart wool or fleece - so cozy but they pill and collect lint like crazy) or PJ bottoms.

As I get older, I can no longer tolerate pants with so much structure I notice them every second of the day... so I invest in comfortable pants and jeans. Which aren't cheap. And then when at home, I don't want to wear them because they were hard to find and I dropped too much $ on them, I want to "save" them for out of the house. Do you relate?

What I am wearing these days: I just bought in two new sweat shirts from my Alma Mater. They are sweatshirts, nothing fancy, but oh so cozy and soft. Also the Sweans - the sweatpants jeans. Pricey and I do wear them out of the house as well, but they are perfect for lounging around the house too!

Aida

Veteran

Shiny, I think you bring up a good point about "saving". In my case, it's half that and half that I have a cat

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look completely fantastic. I especially love dramatic #1 on you. Wow. This is terrific at-home style, and when I worked as a teacher I did exactly the same thing, by the way. Came home and put on stretchy leggings and a long vest and tee or an oversized pullover.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Aida and Shiny, oh I totally do the "saving" thing! Anything that was expensive is something I don't wear around the house.

Shiny, I also cannot stand wearing "proper" pants and jeans at home. It's loose fitting, comfy pants all the way. Bring on those elastic waistbands! We don't wear shoes in the house, I wear moccasin style slippers and I have one pair of suede loafers that have a nice arch support that (so far) only get worn in the house.

Mary, I go to the gym 3 to 4 days a week, and usually it's early so I'll change (at least my top). If it's late (every Wed.) I go straight to PJ's. I do wear the sweatpants in #3 to Pilates and yoga. And I wish I could wear flip flops all year! My feet would freeze in our winters.

Tania, I'm glad to hear you are not ill anymore. You make a good point about the clothes starting to define you. I was beginning to feel like I just didn't want to do anything when I had on my old sweats and sloppy, stained sweatshirts.

Staysfit, I hear you on the mile-long to do list, which grows by the mile this time of year. First I upgraded my "wear outside the house" capsule first, now I'm turning my attention to the at-home stuff.

Thanks Kelly! It makes me happy that these outfits can be easily converted!

Thanks Suz! Those F21 leggings in #1 are super snuggly and comfy, and so is the poncho - a huge plus in my book!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am definitely a nice clothes to go out, leftovers when home type too. #3 looks fine to me - and approximates what I am wearing right now. Your coffee to home picture looks great!

Anonymous

From your description, I think you've definitely improved your at-home wear 100%! I really like the first outfit with the plaid leggings and the poncho, but all of them are a step up from "slob".

In the past I have mostly worn my exercise clothes at home, but this F/W I've swapped out my body con skinnies for sized up skinnies which have about two inches of ease all the way down the leg (not to mention in the waist and hip). I can wear these around the house for the better part of the day, but I confess, when I change into yoga pants and my fleece jacket to walk in the late afternoon, I keep those cozy clothes on for the rest of the evening. Like shiny I have a little bit of "Team Save" in me, and I also can contort myself into more comfortable positions if I'm wearing stretchy cotton knit pants--and I'm not even talking about yoga positions either. Hi, my name is Claire and I wear yoga pants....but I don't do yoga. :p

I've tried wearing my street clothes every day, and there is another weird problem I have with that. I'll see if I can explain it. I'm more excited about getting dressed and wearing my "good" clothes when I have a day off from them every once in a while. Just like my make-up seems to look better if I've skipped it the day before--and don't even get me started on my hair! My body just seems to rebel if I try to keep up a consistent, perfectly dressed and groomed image on a daily basis (good thing I don't have a job!). I fear this isn't making any sense at all, but I don't even have to be sick to want to wear soft clothes at home in the evening...if just feels like it helps me to rest and wind down somehow. But then again, I'm an introvert, and I need time alone to recharge. Maybe there's some kind of strange phenomenon where my body doesn't want to be "on" all the time either, lol!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

It's fun seeing your transitions, Karie. I love the outfit in 5--that one has got your style stamp, to me. Casual but polished, current and classic. Those ankle strap ballet flats are super cool on you in both outfits you've shown them with.

I don't wear loungewear. I have workout gear that is just for its intended purposes. And I tend to wear the same clothes at home that I've worn or am wearing out of the house. Sometimes if I have a completely at-home day, I will wear a simple sweater and jeans, but it's not specifically loungewear. Some days I do change into jeans after work, if I've worn something I don't want to sit around in. I always put on my makeup. I don't wear shoes in the house, so I'll put on the most ridiculous looking footwear for at-home, along with my otherwise fairly well-put-together outfit! Right now my at-home shoes are pink Mephisto sandals worn with athletic socks, while I await some Haflinger slippers I've ordered. (I need supportive soles on my slippers.)

Neel

Veteran

You are allowed to be a slob at home .. Said another slob .... I have just recently upped my game too :). I used to wear PJs (not the good ones ) for lounging. And you look smashing in your lounge clothes. I CANNOT wear jeans for lounging either. Comfy track pants and breezy tees or cotton tops are my needs.

I loved seeing your transition outfits. The church outfit is super fab

deb

Veteran

I love your at home wear. I work at home half of the week and sometimes more so I get dressed to get in the mood, if ya know what I mean. For some reason I feel healthier when I make an effort to put on clothing that I would wear to the grocery store. I never really thought if it this way before. Hmmmmm, need to ponder this some more.

krishnidoux

Veteran

I have a confession: I am exactly the same! At home, I even often actually go for the absolute ugliest, comfiest, ridiculous clothing, with mixed results. It makes me feel... cozier. But it is also visually lamentable. So kudos to your new lounge wear. It inspires me. I especially love 3. It is very cute, and dynamic.

viva

Veteran

What I love most about this post is seeing you adjust looks for different purposes -- going from home to church, from work to home, etc. I usually swap out the whole outfit, but it's pretty great to see how one small adjustments works just as well.
Since I work at home I try to dress while at home on weekdays, pretty much in MOTG clothing. On weekends while cleaning or lazing around I look just like you in #3 -- sometimes not quite that dressed up.
My pajamas, which are worn in the house quite a lot (since I work at home I don't shower at 6am when I get up) are getting a bit of an upgrade -- not fancy, just refreshed, which may help me feel like less of a slob.

I love the gamine look of #5.

catgirl

Veteran

Me too, Karie. I'm in camping gear at home. Old fleece with campfire holes, bagged out leggings, whatever. But frankly I wear my beloved items out of the house, and I want to feel like I can be on the fur-covered floor with my kid playing Jenga or cleaning up cat puke without stress. :). What can I say? It's my real life....

You look great to me!

Aubergine

Veteran

Love your outfits! The poncho top and those velvet track pants both seem like the perfect loungewear-"real" clothes crossover pieces. The velvet pants look especially fun with the necklace and ankle strap shoes.

My loungewear is usually along the lines of #3. Decently fitting and with some fun designs and attempts to make everything coordinate, but clearly loungewear. And there's no shame in that! My lounge bottoms are usually Old Navy too, mostly because I can order them in short lengths, since there's no way I'd ever bother to get sweatpants hemmed.

Astrid

Veteran

My loungewear isn't the best either and I'm often in my pajamas when I know I won't be going out the door again. Right now I'm wearing black pajama bottoms, a navy tee and my polka dot fleece shirt I bought for Scotland. Oh and colorful striped smartwool socks. So comfy. I really like your looks, I think they're great. You've done a good job at amping up your at home style.

Diana

Veteran

I love your plaid leggings!

I have a list of things I don't wear at home, unless I am having a dinner party or something. This includes: shoes, socks, jeans, bras, belts, hosiery, and anything with a fitted or structured waist area. So it's slippers, jersey knits, soft pants, waistless dresses, and loose skirts for the most part.

I think if I didn't go out most every day, I'd be more inspired to amp up my loungewear. As it is, I do get fully dressed to leave the house, most days, so I have ample opportunity to wear my clothes. The rare work from home day is a luxury to be spent sans real pants.

Beth Ann

Veteran

You look fantastic, Karie, and I'm really loving those Joe Fresh velvet track pants.

Because of homeschooling, I often end up in my sleep/loungewear items until after getting them started on their day. Yep. I grade math in my jammies. And my DH works from home, too. A year ago, I upgraded this capsule. It was a simple as updating top silhouettes and making sure they're in my favorite colors, wearing only flattering knit bottoms in two silhouettes, and two pairs of pretty slippers. I don't my kids (or husband) to remember a disheveled science teacher / cook / lover!

Don't you find a difference in how you feel about yourself at home? Oh --- and when someone unexpectedly shows up at your door, you won't hide and pretend you're not at home!

Elly

Veteran

I think these are great upgrades.

I wear fairly casual clothing, so I often wear it at home. It is really common for me to leave the house at 7 a.m. and not be in for the night until 7-9 that evening. At that point I will go straight for P.J.s but then again my town rolls up the sidewalk at that time in the winter.

When I'm home with the SO we usually have to go out both weekend days (Sunday, which is our first day off for the week) for a grocery run then Monday to do banking and other business). Because of that I'm dressed everyday and usually only in PJs before 9 am or after 7 pm.

I do like to have a couple of pieces of loungewear that don't scream "PJs" for those rare days where the plan is to hang out at home all day reading or the like, to throw on when I want to feel extra comfy, when I'm cooking something messy, etc. This is also great for when I travel, because then I have something that is presentable to wear to breakfast when staying with friends and family if I'm caught unshowered or dressed, etc.

Lyn D.

Veteran

You are looking Fab in your lounge-wear Karie!
I often do similar to you in #5-6, to adapt an outfit for wearing after dinner.
Usually it involves un-tucking and un-belting at the waist, and removing jewellery and shoes.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

Viva and Lyn D., I didn't think adapting outfits would be easy, but either I'm having fun with the trendiness of the track pants style or it's easier to modify what you're wearing when old stained clothes aren't involved and you don't have to change completely.

Elly, I go to a Pilates class every Wed. and don't get home until 7:30, so it's straight to PJ's at that hour for me too.

Krishnidoux, Deb, and Beth Ann, I do find there's a difference about how I feel about myself! That's really the reason I ditched the old, ratty clothing - I was starting to feel very blah and unmotivated. And since my mother-in-law lives 4 houses away, her boyfriend shows up quite often to ask DH for help - it's nice not to have to run and hide or be embarrassed when he comes over.

Neel and Diana, I'm with you on no jeans for lounging, and wearing nothing with a fitted or structured waist area at home.

Astrid, smartwool socks are gloriously warm, aren't they? I have to pairs and I love them.

Aubergine, that's right, no shame! I wasn't even going to post these pics because I felt kind of silly, "This is what I wear at home and I used to wear ratty old clothes" but hey, I'm nothing if I'm not real, and this is pretty much as real as it gets. I like ON pants because many of them come in tall sizes, and the price is right. Like Aida mentioned, I'd also rather spend my $$ on my other clothes.

Una, yay for real life clothing! My favorite pair of PJ bottoms is a fleece pair I made myself, along with a fleece zip-up bathrobe (also self made). Since it's DH's late night at work and Cosmo and I are snuggling on the couch watching Hallmark Christmas movies, I think it's time to go change into them right now

Firecracker, interesting that you said #5 has my style stamp, because it is one of my favorite outfits. I just love that BR blazer. I'm also starting to think I need more supportive soles on my slippers. That's why I bought the suede loafers - they're as soft as slippers but they have support to them.

Claire, what you said makes perfect sense to me. Wearing my soft clothes in the evenings does help me to wind down. Interesting thought about how having time off from your "good" clothes makes you more excited about wearing them. I look forward to getting dressed nicely and going out, and maybe I wouldn't so much if I was wearing the stuff all the time.

Shevia, #3 is my idea of an at-home uniform: comfy sweats, loose tee, snuggly socks