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Needed: ideas for how to look/feel stylish at home

rholmes27

Hello fellow YLFers! I know this topic has been covered before, but I have a different spin.

Since I joined YLF, I have put a lot of time & effort into honing what I would call a mom-on-the-go wardrobe. However, due to a medical condition, I now realize that my wardrobe should be woman-at-home. I hoped my condition would improve, but my doc recently told me that I am in the final stages of my treatment plan, & my condition is unlikely to change too much.

With that in mind, could y'all give me suggestions for a wardrobe for the days I'm at home? On those days, I putter around the house with breaks to sit & rest. My clothing needs to be comfortable for moderate housework & for my sitting rest periods. I've thought of leggings but I've never found any that were that comfortable & I'm petite so I wondered if I would look even shorter.

I'm a petite hourglass. Any help anyone can give would be great. Tia!

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from claire

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I'm so sorry about your doctor's prognosis. I hope that you exceed all expectations!

As for sitting for long periods, no wrinkles under pressure! If leggings don't work, smooth fabrics in the bottoms, thinking about what I would wear on a transcontinental airline flight. Jersey, no denim, maybe linen if I was certain about the temperature. Natural fabrics. They are making some comfy fleece leggings these days How hot or cold do you runn?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Clothing with stretch such as jersey or stretch cottons would be my choice for bottoms & cashmere or cotton for tops depending on the weather.
If you prefer dresses what about tights & a dress?

Hope you don't mind me saying but doctors aren't always right about these things either

shiny

Veteran

I switched to work-from-home years ago because of a medical condition. When I'm at home, if I'm not required to be on video conference or have or expect company, it's cozy comfy practical lounge wear all the way!! This is one of the advantages to being a woman at home! And it makes dressing up to go out all that more pleasurable.

Sweat pants and sweat shirts- I now have an array from my kids' colleges, and DH's because we were recently at his reunion.

Victoria's Secret or Gap or Target pajama sets in flannel or modal... I get solid colors like black, which can look passable if I need to toss on a hoody because someone's arrived at the door. VS' XS works just fine length wise for me. For Gap & Target, if there aren't any petite choices, then I select ankle length.

Another great place to shop for cozy loungewear is Aerie. My DD#2 is all about soft and cozy, so she has totally turned me on to Aerie, her favorite source.

Smart Wool leggings + top set (black) are a splurge but totally 100% worth it. Nothing could be warmer and softer and cozier in the winter. I also wear them under gear to exercise outdoors... when I am okay enough to exercise.

Similarly a North66 set, black, purchased on a trip to Iceland.

One thing on my list for ages, which is even more of a splurge, is a cashmere set -- hoodie and sweat pants. OMG. How wonderful would that be???

If you want something more dressy, then I highly recommend you check out Theory's pull on leggings, which have 5 pocket styling, so they look like pants, but are leggings. SO incredibly comfortable. I am 5'0 tall, so they are super long on me and need to be hemmed, but these will be my "go to" slacks for airplane travel.

For tops I have a stable of Jcrew vintage tees - they offer them in petites. So soft. Wear and launder well. Loose/fluid fit, but sized just so for us shorties. I also have a stock of cotton camis I got at H&M. H&M has the best camis. They last forever. With adjustable straps.

If your puttering includes cooking and cleaning then invest in a fabulous apron or two. Something that makes you smile. Yes even if you are wearing "just" loungewear, an apron is a necessity.

Socks, if you don't wear shoes in the house (we don't): look for cashmere blend. Target often has good choices for this. Smart wool socks are another great choice.

Gigi

Veteran

I really like pull-on maxi skirts for comfort. I'm petite too (5'2"), so it does take some looking to find a cut that doesn't swallow you up with fabric, and you might have to get it hemmed, but I find them very comfortable.

I also second Shiny's suggestion of an apron. It's wonderful to be able to wear nicer stuff around the house and not have to worry about spilling tomato sauce on it or something! Mine gets a lot of use. I could probably use a second.

I'm very sorry to hear your doctor's prognosis. It is very difficult to adapt to such a lifestyle change.

Jen W

I'm so sorry to hear about your prognosis, but also know how important it is to feel good when you are home recuperating. I like fashion sweatshirts, washable silk tanks, tees with some kind of shaping or detail, and drapey loungewear pants or looser linen pants for the weeks when my health issue leaves me less mom on the go and more mom needing a nap. An apron is always a great idea, as are toppers to throw over for answering the door or getting the mail. If sporty lux is your thing, I find the style very conducive for home time.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I am so sad to hear you are having health struggles! On a plus side, does this mean you get to spend more time on YLF?

As for the at-home wardrobe, I like wearing boyfriend jeans! Right now I'm wearing mine from Paige, True Religion and Mother denim. There is such a big selection out there. Kut makes some good ones too.

And I agree with Shiny on the J Crew Vintage tees. They are as nice as pricier ones from Splendid.

When it cools down I like to add a plush cardigan either in luxurious cashmere from Vince or in a synthetic from Free People. I am not really a leggings or loungewear girl, I am a jeans and tee and cardigan type.

I do like the suggestion of a pull on maxi though! You can get them really cheap at H&M for $10, although they are really long, too long for 5'4" me so I've avoided them. If you are handy with scissors or can alter things, I'd give them a try too.

I think that at home wear should be current, why not treat yourself to stylish clothes while at home I say. This is my new thinking. I used to spend all of my money on my smart clothes but then realized I rarely wear them.

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

Even though I don't consider myself a dress girl, I use cotton jersey dresses for my lounge wear. They are as comfortable as pajamas but way more polished if I take the dog out or anything like that.

rholmes27

So many great ideas already-things I had never thought of.

Rambling Ann- I live in a climate that is predominantly warm & since moving here, I tend to feel warmer.

Sal

Veteran

Sorry to hear that news. Dressing well will help you feel more yourself when people call in.

There are some wonderful winter suggestions listed above. I will offer some summer ones-soft silky trackpants/capri pants with a quality tee shirt,a soft tube skirt,a knit dress.

A shirt dress can be comfortable but often needs ironing but something like that will work.

Some yoga gear or sports gear including yoga pants can be very smart and comfortable. I have a bright pink "under armour" hooded top that always looks good and can be worn for exercising or lounging.

I would get some good slippers/house shoes too that are comfortable but smart in because you will wear them a lot.

Let us know how you get on.

Style Fan

Veteran

So sorry to hear about your doctor's prognosis. Take good care of yourself. In my thirties I suffered from a medical condition where my joints would swell and everything was painful. I wore very comfie clothes. I still wear natural fibres and soft clothing.

I am at home and I wear linen pants or shorts in the summer. I do wear BF jeans as well. I save my Yoga clothes for Yoga but I could see wearing those for house wear. I have some soft T shirts (some are from J Crew) and my hoodies are from Lululemon and Roots. I have a cashmere hoodie from about 10 years ago that is still in great condition. I also wear a denim shirt that is loose fitting.

I wear an apron when I cook. I don't want to ruin any of my clothes.

I am also a fan of Smart Wool Socks. Even in the summer. I wear them around the house.

Inge

(website)

I'm so sorry to hear about the ongoing health issues, R. Hang in there!

I love all the suggestions above, and second Kiwigal about the tube skirts. I have a few for working from home, and they are fantastic for warmer temps. Plus they truly feel as comfy as pj's while looking more polished. Pair them with tees, tank tops (and a cardi if you need an extra layer), a fluid fit pullover (lightweight fabrics like linen or thin cotton, silk blends, open stitch detailing etc. for warmer temps, a few examples below), and Bob's your uncle.

I was also going to suggest ponte knit pants as an alternative to leggings. They might be a little too warm for your climate though?
For days when you are in the mood for something a bit dressier, I also like the Gap True Straight Pants (still very comfy and easy to move in).

True straight pants

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Vince Camuto 'Retro Stripes' Midi Tube Skirt (Regular & Petite)

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Vince Camuto Striped Midi Tube Skirt

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6

Linen high-low hem sweater

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13

Open-stitch sweater top

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2

Eileen Fisher Bateau Neck Sweater (Regular & Petite)

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1

Eileen Fisher Jewel Neck Stripe Sweater (Regular & Petite)

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6

Banana Republic

Ribbed Linen Pullover

Sale

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Silk Linen Jumper

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Linen V-neck sweater in garment dye

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Two by Vince Camuto Placed Pointelle V-Neck Sweater

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2

Deb

Veteran

I am sorry you have serious health problems and I appreciate it can be life changing and difficult to adapt to chronic illness. The above suggestions from the ladies are good ones, and I probably have nothing further to add, but I do hope you can find suitable and comfortable clothes that make you feel attractive. All the very best to you rholmes27.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm so sorry to hear about your prognosis. It's really hard to adapt to that kind of lifestyle change. I do hope Caro is right and your doctors are mistaken!

In the meantime, I love the tube skirt suggestions. As someone who works from home I find them a wonderful option in our warmer months.

I mostly wear jeans (BFs and well fitting skinnies) in our colder months, along with pullovers of various kinds.

In summer, a really great option for me has been the J. Crew linen pull on pants. They are as comfy and soft as pajamas but a lot more stylish. And they are on sale! Not in all colours now, but still. They also come in petite.

For a warm climate, they'd be a great wardrobe stretcher for at - home days.

Linen drapey drawstring pant

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SW Ann

Veteran

I stay at home ALOT although out and about to run errands....I find that if I do not "dress" fully,--put on some makeup, and even add a cute necklace or earrings, or something uniquely me, ( in fall and winter I like a scarf with lots of color) with whatever I wear, unless I'm really really under the weather (IE full blown flu) --I don't feel very good, and my mood deteriorates because I don't like what I "see" when I pass a mirror. Therefore, I have a couple of comfy cashmere sweaters in bright, flattering colors), and some comfortable but stylish ponte pants in colors I like (for me, black--but there are other colors out there--brown or navy, etc) plus some low heeled booties for winter that I wear for puttering around the house. For summer and warmer temps, I wear dresses--I have a chambray one, a red one, and a dark denim one that I have worn a lot over the summer. (shirtdress style, buttons down the front) These allow me to accessorize again, to make them "me"..... They came with belts, but I cut the little loops off, and don't often wear the belt at home.... Sometimes I add a belt to change the look (leather one or other type) when I'm "out" but with the new fluid look being current, find I do that less now. I also carry a fun, bright, handbag when leaving the house.
I hope some of this is helpful to you.....
And, I hope the dr is wrong, and that you continue to improve....

rholmes27

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes. And thanks for so many great ideas!

I've started taking notes.

Peri

Veteran

My sympathies too. I have pain issues and some limits due to those too...I hope you are able to do better than your doctor suggests. Sometimes they can be insensitive,

No one has mentioned Athleta. They have nice looking items that blend workout and street wear and with the current "sporty luxe" look are considered right in style.

E

Veteran

I'm also primarily a woman-at-home due to health issues (I'm sorry to hear about yours), but I choose to dress in regular outfits most days (unless I'm in a flare up), just because I enjoy it. Not that there's anything wrong with opting for a great loungewear capsule instead!

One thing I'd add to all of the great advice you've been given is to consider silk, especially woven silk tops. They feel great, they're breathable, have a nice luster, and in my experience are quite sturdy and get along fine with a machine wash on the most delicate option followed by air drying. I'm a big thrifter, which of course makes silk much more affordable, so I even use silk camis as my pj tops! I also have a couple pair of silk pj pants that feel *so* luxurious.

The other thing that makes me feel better, even on the really bad days when I stay in pjs and can't do anything with my hair or makeup, is making sure that all of my clothes are in flattering colours. That may or may not perk you up, but I really love the way my skin & hair look in my best colours, so it helps when I catch my reflection in a mirror and don't look like death warmed over. My most flattering colours are also the ones I find most comfortable psychologically (I feel muted cool colours are calming & peaceful), so that's probably a factor as well.

claire

I'm so sorry about your health issues and can totally sympathize, I've spent the better part of the last three years at home recovering from an injury. Comfy at home clothing is so important! I second Gigi's recommendation for maxi skirts, the Gap Pure body line has some nice ones, and they also have some nice modal drapey wide leg pants that are super comfy. Drapey t's work for me, either with yoga pants, maxi skirts or (soft) bf jeans, depending how sensitive you are to fabrics. If you're up for a splurge, my sister gave me the best present ever and I've worn them probably every day, the comfiest yummiest cashmere track pants. Seriously, you can feel awful and put them on and it's like wearing a hug. You need one piece that feels like that, it's worth every penny. If track pants don't work, maybe it's a wrap you can use while you're resting or a cardigan for evenings, but have one piece that feels like a hug and feels a little decadent when you're not feeling great, it'll help pick you up a little.