Leaving the house naked - YLF

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Leaving the house naked

— by Angie

on August 19, 2010

You’ve heard the expression: “I feel naked without my ……”. Obviously we don’t really feel naked because we’re fully clothed. But there are particular wardrobe items, accessories or beauty products that make us feel complete and ready for the day.

I feel naked without my watch, specs, wedding ring and a dash of my favourite scent. If I’ve left any of these items behind, I’ll turn around and fetch them so that I feel completely dressed (AND can see where I’m going).

Of course, there are few also absolute essentials that I’m taking for granted: I’ve done my 2 minute make-up routine (which includes sunscreen), I have my handbag and the hair looks okay.

Over to you. What items or beauty products make you feel fully clothed?

Accessories · Individual Style

82 comments · Add a comment

Antje

Veteran

I can’t forget my specs because I put them on before I even get out of bed But I would feel naked if I left the house without my two silver rings. I may leave off earrings and other accessories, but I absolutely need to feel these rings on my fingers and on the extremely rare occasions I forget them I feel “off” all day.

August 19, 2010 at 2:26 pm

Beth

Veteran

On weekends, I rarely wear jewelry besides a watch, and no makeup other than sunscreen.

During the workweek, I feel naked without my wedding rings, earrings, and at least a dusting of powder on my nose.

August 19, 2010 at 2:31 pm

SusanH

Earrings. The irony is that I have a short, sort of fluffy haircut and my earrings aren’t even visible a good bit of the time. But it just feels weird to have holes in my ears with nothing in them!

August 19, 2010 at 2:32 pm

Margot

I must have lipstick on. I feel completely naked and invisible without it! I have only shown up at work one time w/o lipstick on (and w/o my bag of lipsticks), and I literally ran to the drugstore across the street to buy some before anyone noticed!

August 19, 2010 at 2:32 pm

san

My hair looks OK. (I knew a gal in the past who would go to the mall with uncombed hair. She might have change that habit after running into an ex boyfriend there, I hope.)

I have switched out of flip flops into shoes, right shoe goes on first.

Sunscreen and a bit of makeup on.

Moisturizer applied all over.

My glasses are on.

And the usual, money, purse, keys, lip balm, that one should be at the top of the list!

August 19, 2010 at 2:44 pm

SkiDiva

Wedding rings, watch, and earrings. Also lipgloss and mascara.

The biggest one, though, is that I HAVE to have my contacts in before I feel fully dressed and ready for the day. If for some reason I have to wear glasses, I spend the day feeling as though I just rolled out of bed and went out in public in my pjs. Not completely sure why that is, but there you go!

August 19, 2010 at 2:46 pm

sinead

I never, ever go without my watch. And earrings are a must or I don’t feel dressed- I really love that little bit of sparkle close to my face. Makeup wise, I have to have a bit of liner on my eyes or they seem to disappear.

August 19, 2010 at 2:47 pm

Beadbug

(website)

I feel naked if I walk out of the house without wearing a piece of jewelry that I have created. It is the only advertising for my business that everyone I come in contact with can see.

I would have to say that mascara would be my second item.

August 19, 2010 at 2:51 pm

morethanbeige

Veteran

I would say specs, sunscreen, and my phone. If I have those, I am good to leave the house. If I am going someplace where I feel I will “see” people, then it is decent hair, foundation, blush in addition.

August 19, 2010 at 2:53 pm

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Perfume is a big one for me. I rarely forget it because it’s such a part of my routine, but I’ve been known to unlock the door and go back to put some on.
I also feel naked without a piece of jewelry on. It’s usually a necklace, but on days when I’m sporting a scarf (like today), I still felt earrings were manditory.
My cell phone is a non-negotiable item I need on me at all times.
And Reva’s harness. Yes, I’ve forgotten it before. :p

August 19, 2010 at 2:58 pm

Sparky

Veteran

I feel naked without my wedding and engagement rings on, but then, I hardly take them off ~ usually just for some cooking/baking but then they go right back on. And like SkiDiva, I feel half-awake and as if I’m bumbling around in my jammies until my contacts are in and eyeglasses stored away.

August 19, 2010 at 3:00 pm

Cookie

Mascara. I truly would rather leave the house without clothes than without mascara – heavy and dark!

August 19, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Luinae

(website)

I feel naked without lipstick- even just a normal, boring pink. It’s one of the things I always have on!

August 19, 2010 at 3:18 pm

Mac

Veteran

Nothing. There’s nothing I feel naked without, except maybe undies.

A few years ago, there were a lot of dreadful photos taken of female celebs getting out of cars and none of them were wearing undies and I wondered how anyone – especially women known to be followed by hoards of photographers – could leave the house in short dresses without underpants.

August 19, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Jenava

definately my wedding rings, my victorinox watch (my only watch and I love it), and mascara. The last time I went somewhere without my mascara on someone asked me if I was ill.

August 19, 2010 at 3:28 pm

Jenava

Oh, and my iphone!

August 19, 2010 at 3:29 pm

gina

(website)

Glasses or contacts. Undereye concealor. On most days, earrings.

I will occasionally skip all makeup (including undereye concealor) and jewelry (including earrings), but unless I’ve made this (rare) deliberate choice and dressed very casually and comfortably, I feel not-completely-dressed if I don’t have concealor and earrrings.

August 19, 2010 at 3:30 pm

Carole

Veteran

wedding rings, phone and now my big MK white ceramic watch!

August 19, 2010 at 3:31 pm

Auburn

Veteran

I’m not religious about putting on any particular jewelry (though I do wear my beloved diamond estate ring most days), but my “can’t leave without…” falls largely to my beauty routine.
Perfume (I’ve been on a Jo Malone kick for years, so it’s actually perfumes–2), some cream blush, undereye concealer and, unless it’s an emergency, mascara are all non-negotiables for me. I do more when I have the time, but I always MAKE time for those items.

August 19, 2010 at 3:41 pm

Steph

Veteran

I’m with Mac: nothing. If I forget my phone I often feel stranded, but I don’t think of my phone as something I wear. Other than that, I’m not wedded to anything.

August 19, 2010 at 3:41 pm

Tara

(website)

Veteran

Earrings. At least one ring on one hand. Under-eye concealer or foundation (just a little smear to hide dark circles) and mascara, otherwise I feel like my eyes are invisible.

And my iPhone. I feel soooo weird and out of whack when I forget my phone!

August 19, 2010 at 3:57 pm

Kyla

My glasses, perfume, and my hair done! I’m in a line of work where I often can’t do the latter two (scented products in bear country is a bad idea!) and I actually bring a small bit of perfume to wear when I get back to camp for the night. I tried contacts years ago and couldn’t get comfortable without glasses, so I think those are pretty mandatory for me, too.

August 19, 2010 at 3:59 pm

shell

I agree with some of the others – nothing. I never take my wedding ring off, so I don’t even have to think about that one. And, although I love my phone, it’s not something I wear, so I don’t feel naked without it.

August 19, 2010 at 4:03 pm

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

This is three of us, Mac and Steph. The only thing I would miss if I forgot to put my face cream in the morning and only because my skin feels drier without it. Oh, and my sunglasses – because I cannot drive without them. Other than that there is nothing I would miss!

August 19, 2010 at 4:04 pm

lyrebirdgully

No wonder I take so long to get ready to go out, I have quite a list!
1-Jewellery. As much as the outfit can take, but never less than 4 locations – the watch (left hand), wristwear (right hand), rings, and then necklace(s) or brooch(es) or earrings.
And I feel at the mercy of the elements and evil ultraviolet rays without the following:
2. a scarf, summer and winter. If it is really too warm to wear the scarf on my neck, it goes on my bag or draped underneath and around my jacket collar- just in case I want to put it on later.
3. Sunglasses – regardless of the weather (in daylight hours only of course) . An instant style lift!
4. a hat (or equivalent- sunvisor, headscarf, beret etc). I started wearing headgear for sunblocking purposes, but it so ramps up one’s style quotient that I now feel bereft without something on my head. I only skip this bit when I don’t have anything to go with the outfit – I am still building this segment of my wardrobe -and alas, due to carelessness I have lost 3 key, beloved visors over the years (sob!)
5. my latest obsession- gloves! Another instantly amazing style booster. I have been wearing gloves (gorgeous colours and styles) absolutely non-stop these last 4 winter months, and I am determined to find some summer gloves (vintage?) for the coming spring; then I’ll wear them as long as the weather will allow.

August 19, 2010 at 4:06 pm

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I feel odd when I don’t have my wedding ring on and my watch – although I’m getting used to the latter since I now take it off when I’m using my laptop. One time I got all the way to my car in the driveway before I realized I was still wearing slippers (hard-soled slippers, but slippers nonetheless).

August 19, 2010 at 4:23 pm

Joy

Veteran

1. specs
2. sunglasses
3. moisturizer/sunblock
4. eyebrows penciled
5. some kind of earrings
6. chain with crucifix

August 19, 2010 at 4:30 pm

summerbl4ck

Wow, I would have said makeup, but as I get older, I’ve realized that I am blessed with great skin so why not go without sometimes, and I don’t care as much what other people think. I mean, obviously I’m interested in fashion, on this blog and all its great advice, but I guess I feel more comfortable in myself. Plus as a mom of young kids, as long as I’m not actually naked, having forgotten some vital piece of clothing in the morning rush, I’m grateful!

August 19, 2010 at 4:35 pm

Kari

Veteran

Specs or contacts are essential. Without them, I’m not so much naked as I am helpless!

I feel completely ill at ease without taking a few minutes to put on sunscreen and foundation, conceal the most major blemishes on my face, and swipe on mascara. I’m way too insecure about my skin to go out bare-faced.

I wouldn’t feel much like me if I didn’t have on a necklace, earrings, or a scarf.

There are also items that I *don’t* usually wear and feel a little odd when I do: rings, bracelets, a watch, or lipstick (though I’m starting to wear lipstick occasionally.)

August 19, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Lannie

I feel naked without my rings. I can leave the house with my hair in a messy bun or even without makeup on, but I feel really strange without my rings on. I have no idea why! I’m not talking wedding or engagement rings here- just regular sterling silver rings. I guess they’ve become like a security blanket after wearing them everyday for several years.

August 19, 2010 at 5:02 pm

shana

Veteran

Earrings & a watch. I would say rings too but since I never take those off, I don’t really count them.

August 19, 2010 at 5:17 pm

Kate

Veteran

Watch, bracelet, and earrings (or at least a necklace). Also my purse. And my sunglasses in my purse.

August 19, 2010 at 5:22 pm

April

Veteran

Makeup. Even to stay home, I tend to put it on because it’s such a habit that I feel more like me with it than without. I also rarely leave the house without my watch, and never without a handbag.

August 19, 2010 at 5:23 pm

MaryK

Wedding ring, watch, earrings.

August 19, 2010 at 5:34 pm

bj1111

Veteran

specs…otherwise, i feel naked only when i’m, well, naked.

August 19, 2010 at 5:36 pm

Mellllls

Veteran

earrings.

i don’t wear my ring or watch when i’m lounging around on weekends and take them off when i get home. but it always wear earrings!!

August 19, 2010 at 5:36 pm

Meg

I think this interesting. I don’t wear a watch or perfume. I only sometimes where my glasses (since I also have contacts) and I haven’t worn my wedding ring in a while (long story, but not bad).

I do feel naked without earrings, though — and just a bit too tomboyish, especially with my hair so short. I also like at least a swipe of lip gloss, though I rarely reapply later in the day.

I REALLY feel weird going braless, though I’ve seen a bunch of people doing it this summer. Not for me, though I wish I could get away with it, lol. Other basic items of apparel stay on as well — except shoes. I like going shoe-less if I’m just walking around the neighborhood or something like that.

And while it feels a bit awkward, I can sometimes manage without my phone or purse.

August 19, 2010 at 6:09 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such a fun read!

Bet Steve Jobs would be proud that some of you feel undressed without your iphones. It’s frustrating when I leave mine at home, but I definitely don’t feel naked.

August 19, 2010 at 6:18 pm

taylor

Veteran

If everything else is done, face, hair and dressed,jewelry and handbag in hand …I will go back for my Sunnies, or my cell phone

August 19, 2010 at 6:33 pm

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

My wedding ring for sure. I can go without makeup if I’m doing some sort of physical activity and still feel fab, but if I’m missing my ring I feel SOOO bare! I actually did it yesterday, because I don’t wear my rings at home b/c they are so loose and I’ve nearly lost them a time or two.

August 19, 2010 at 6:42 pm

Frances

The one on the tip of my tongue would have been the watch. On the very rare occasion when I forget it or the battery has died, I drive myself crazy looking at my wrist all day and finding it bare or finding a time on the watch that is just plain bizarre.

But I feel naked without accessories in general. Some designer once said, “Clothing without accessories is like sex without the orgasm.” (Angie, sorry if that’s too graphic or explicit for YLF.) I think of that saying EVERY time I run out the door and forget to finish off my outfit with jewelry or a scarf. All day I think to myself, “Oh, no…I’ve become boring old sex without the orgasm!” and catch myself laughing. Funny how this stuff gets in your head!

August 19, 2010 at 7:06 pm

Lauren

I feel naked without my wedding rings, earring and eyebrow powder

August 19, 2010 at 7:11 pm

Lorem Ipsum

I need to wear my eye glasses or contacts. I’d be lost without them. My day is negatively affected if I’m not wearing a watch on my wrist and rings on my left ring finger.

August 19, 2010 at 7:40 pm

FiestyWife

1) My hair neatly (as possible) done.
2) My face (moisturizer, a little foundadation, blush, eye shadow & lipcolor)
3) My son. I’m a MOTG and I very. very rarely go anywhere without him!

August 19, 2010 at 7:42 pm

Lisa

Veteran

Sunscreen, it’s annoying that I’m always greasy from it, but I wear it everyday anyway. I’ve been know to turn the car around for my wedding rings, but that’s only on workdays. Weekends, sometimes I’m off to do something grimy anyway (I ride horses) so jewelry is a no go anyway. There’s no one clothing item I wear everyday. Although I go to the gym so early in the morning, a lot of times I have to double check I am really wearing a top and trousers (no morning coffee or tea that early). I am really peeved all day if I forget my watch, sunglasses or cell phone, but I won’t turn the car around for any of them.

August 19, 2010 at 7:59 pm

tiffany

I never take my rings off, so that doesn’t count, I guess. I won’t go out without perfume, sunscreen (365 days a year) undereye concealer, mascara and lippy (bare minimum) … Glasses or sunglasses (whichever I’m not wearing go in the handbag).

August 19, 2010 at 8:06 pm

Cricket

I never remove my wedding ring, diamond earrings, and ruby anniversary ring (all from DH) …

I hate when I forget to put mascara on!

August 19, 2010 at 8:43 pm

marianna

Veteran

I feel completely naked without a full face of makeup. It’s a sickness, I know.

August 19, 2010 at 8:49 pm

Fathenry

Mascara, no question. I have fine, blonde eyelashes and fair skin. If I don’t wear mascara, it looks like I have no eyelashes at all. Concealer or mineral makeup is a close second.

August 19, 2010 at 9:01 pm

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Brushing my teeth

I quite often don’t wear rings and watch in the weekend and if I am with my DH sometimes don’t take my phone.

August 19, 2010 at 11:40 pm

janine

(website)

I feel naked without my aviators. No matter what I’m wearing, I feel it adds a touch of “oomph” to any outfit.

August 20, 2010 at 12:39 am

anne

Veteran

Shoes, a bra (unless wearing swimwear) or like just said, brushing my teeth.

August 20, 2010 at 1:04 am

kat

Necklace, wedding ring, sunscreen. Actually yesterday I left the house without a necklace on and when I got home my two year old was utterly confused saying “necklace, necklace!” and pointing at my bare neck. Ooops.

August 20, 2010 at 2:00 am

Reen

I feel absolutely naked without my watch, wedding rings, a spritz of scent, and some mascara! I almost never leave the house without any of those and have been known to turn around on my way to work if I have forgotten my watch!

August 20, 2010 at 2:19 am

rute

Veteran

1.moisturizer/sunblock
2. make-up
3. sunglasses

August 20, 2010 at 3:01 am

Barbara

Veteran

My platinum and diamond eternity ring, a gift from my sweet hubby and my RayBan aviators.

August 20, 2010 at 6:10 am

Cindy

Scent and my watch

August 20, 2010 at 6:30 am

Susan Brennan

I am always wearing AT LEAST my glasses, sunscreen, and lipstick. Can’t see much without the glasses and the Colorado sun will surely get me without the sunscreen and lipstick.

August 20, 2010 at 6:39 am

Lady

Oh, i’m sooo like you in that I’ve got to have my glasses (if I’m wearing them that day), wedding rings, and scent of the day. I have to have on jewelry and my ‘face’ (however basic and rushed that ‘face’ is)

i rarely leave the house without perfume nowadays. Just yesterday while mentally going over my outfit (i’ve started to log them in an effort to not repeat the same stuff over and over) I realized I didnt have on perfume and suddenly became VERY self conscious! lol. it was as I thought everybody else KNOWS. which is ridiculous considering most people probably don’t bother with scent at all.

August 20, 2010 at 7:02 am

Sally McGraw

(website)

My gosh! It’s really only my wedding and engagement rings and my crown ring. Everything else is negotiable!

August 20, 2010 at 7:18 am

Mae

My rings, earrings, and some other piece(s) of jewelry. And if an iPhone counts as a fashion accessory, I’m throwing that in the mix.

August 20, 2010 at 7:26 am

Sihaya

Veteran

My watch and my wedding ring. Yesterday I forgot my hair goop and I felt off too – and so did my hair which progressively started getting bigger and bigger! So that probably counts as well.

August 20, 2010 at 7:44 am

mary b

(website)

I would feel naked w/o my wedding band on, but I rarely take it off, so it’s not like I have to consciously think about it.
Otherwise for me, it is putting on a touch of blush.

August 20, 2010 at 7:50 am

Stephani

I feel naked without my wristwatch, earrings, and mascara.

August 20, 2010 at 7:51 am

NK

(website)

Lipstick (or gloss) and earrings.

Lipstick was the first cosmetic I was ever allowed to wear, and it’s always been important to me. I was just looking at some old photos from high school and there was a photo of me taken by my friend applying lipstick.

August 20, 2010 at 7:52 am

Linda

Phone. It’s the only thing I will absolutely go back for. That being said, without earrings I don’t feel polished, but I wouldn’t go back home for them- though I often keep a generic “diamond” stud pair in the car!

August 20, 2010 at 7:52 am

Meredith

I absolutely must have my watch!! I forgot it yesterday and I was a wreck!’

August 20, 2010 at 8:03 am

Maya

Veteran

I can’t relate to this post at all. I regularly forget makeup, watches, scarves, necklaces, etc. I just shrug my shoulders and get on with my day. It never bothers me so profoundly that I feel “naked.” Certain things are annoying to forget (like my phone and sunnies) but I wouldn’t say it leaves me feeling naked. Those things are there for function more than fashion.

August 20, 2010 at 8:52 am

klauren

AH, Frances – I’ll never be able to run out without – thanks for THAT visual !! Tehehe.
In answer to the question at hand, however, my diamond eternity band wedding ring, which usually never comes off. If I’m leaving the house, the engagement ring and the five year eternity band, and a watch. I won’t even count sunscreen because it’s so embedded in the grooming routine.

August 20, 2010 at 9:41 am

Lynne

Veteran

sunglasses and lipgloss – I really feel bare with out them!

August 20, 2010 at 10:10 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I was pondering this on the way to work, when the heavens opened and I realised my answer was my forgotten brolly, it swings from my wrist most days (except when most needed).

Of course I hate to leave the house before spritzing my scent.

August 20, 2010 at 11:39 am

Michelle

(website)

I definitely feel naked without sunblock on – I wear it on my face every day. I never take my engagement and wedding ring off. I hate being without my watch. If I go out at night I feel naked without perfume but hardly ever wear it during the day now that I am a ‘sahm’. Sunglasses are non-negotiable – need them! What else……probably lip balm at the very least as far as make-up goes.

August 20, 2010 at 12:04 pm

Louise

Veteran

The only thing I really feel naked without is my engagement ring x

August 20, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Audi

(website)

I’m okay with going pretty casual and unadorned on the weekends, but I at least like to have a little mascara on.

August 20, 2010 at 2:19 pm

Samantha M.

Sunglasses. I have very photosensitive eyes and even if its cloudy out a sudden patch of sun can leave me almost blinded and with a headache. So now I pretty much wear my sunglasses whenever I am outside during daylight hours and it feels weird not to have them on, or at least perched on top of my head. Also my wedding rings and I fiddle with them all the time and if I take them off and forget to put them back on I feel out of sorts.

August 20, 2010 at 2:20 pm

LisaLisa

watch and earrings.

August 20, 2010 at 8:07 pm

Sarah

Glasses. I’ve had glasses since I was 9, and I’ll only wear contacts if I’m playing serious sports. I even go running in my glasses. It’s not “my face” without them!

Wedding ring. I lost weight and it got too big and I had to go without it for a bit and I was having several mini-panics per day feeling for it and not finding it.

Silver necklace. It never comes off, so I’m not sure it counts.

Oh, and lavender scented deodorant. I will turn back at great distance if I realize I’m not wearing deodorant.

August 21, 2010 at 7:37 am

Wendy

earrrings!

I feel naeked with out a pair!

August 21, 2010 at 11:56 am

Linda

Glasses don’t even count–it’s not so much that I would feel naked leaving the house without them as that I wouldn’t be able to find my keys, my toothbrush, my way to the coffee maker …

I feel a bit naked if not wearing some kind of necklace and the ring I wear on my wedding ring finger, though it isn’t a wedding ring. I have been known to go to the corner store for milk or eggs without a bra if it’s winter and I’m wearing a coat anyway, but pretty much anything I am wearing without a bra is deemed pajamas, even if it’s a normal skirt and T-shirt. I also wouldn’t go much farther than that without getting my hair thoroughly wet and putting gel in it. There is no such thing as combing or brushing curly hair to make it presentable again after sleeping. I will leave the house with it still wet, though.

August 21, 2010 at 4:23 pm

Calma

Earrings and mascara. In 1972, when I began the 8th grade my mom let me get my ears pierced and allowed me to start wearing mascara. Years later, I am seldom without either. I don’t feel awake without mascara and earrings fill the holes in my head!

August 21, 2010 at 9:09 pm

jessica

belt, hat

I if have belt loops and no belt I can’t deal.. I’ve bought belts to fix this.

August 22, 2010 at 3:34 pm

Jill McKechnie

I’m with Margot, I feel naked without my lipstick or colored gloss!

July 8, 2012 at 6:09 pm

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