https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:09:56 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-823079 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:28:44 +0000 rosee 823079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been following Rachel Meek's blog for some time now and I love her philosophy. The "comfortably dressy" style really resonates with me too and it's something I have been trying to achieve for the past couple of years or so. There seems to be a dichotomy in North America sometimes where we dress to the nines or we schlump around - it's only now that we are seeing more people move to prominent attention who fit in between these 2 extremes, "comfortably dressy". Meek's time in Europe likely had a big impact on how she dresses now in the US and I'm glad she and people like Angie are bringing this style to the forefront more. You can be polished and completely comfortable.</p> <p>My own version includes dark denim, trousers with some stretch, washable knit tops that look more blousey than like t-shirts, cardigans and fitted jackets with some give. Light on the accessories, though I do like using colorful scarves.<br /> And good shoes and boots (because for me it always comes down to good shoes or boots).</p> <p><a href="http://smallnotebook.org/2011/10/11/the-style-guide-comfortably-dressy/" rel="nofollow">http://smallnotebook.org/2011/.....ly-dressy/</a><br /> <a href="http://smallnotebook.org/2011/10/17/the-shopping-guide-comfortably-dressy-style/" rel="nofollow">http://smallnotebook.org/2011/.....ssy-style/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-822912 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:05:34 +0000 Freckles 822912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes and no...</p> <p>My new this season black cashmere/wool sweater toggle coat is being worn at least a part of every day and probably won't make the cut to out of the house clothes by next year. It was too expensive to last only one season so I do save some things for going out and not wear them at home, although not this sweater coat as it is perfection being warm and cozy.</p> <p>After I realized this about the sweater coat I quit wearing my new cashmere turtles for only at home wear. There hasn't been a problem with them at all but I want to make sure of that. If I'm going somewhere, maybe just chalk talks, I will put it on in the morning but cover it with my fleece blazer that I was going to get rid of but now use as an apron. You take your apron off when you answer the door don't you? Okay, maybe not but yes I do when I actually go out of the house... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-822883 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:37:25 +0000 moira 822883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think if you don't say, "Oh crap, someone is at the door, maybe I won't answer it", you are probably doing just fine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-815140 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:46:04 +0000 ManidipaM 815140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post! Thanks for sharing it. This is the same idea that struck me last year, Mander, as I struggled to lift myself out of blah-dom in my at-home outfits. </p> <p>Resorting to relaxed, pilling loungewear or shirts and stretched-out T-shirts 'demoted' for household chores was fine to do---when I went out to an office job each day and dressed up for it, then returned home to actually mostly just lounge and do the chores in the evenings and weekends! But once I started working from home, it turned into a terrible trap. My favourite 'good clothes' languished while I felt shamefully shabby much to often. And it seemed silly to dress up just to go to the corner shop, the newspaper stand, to take out the trash or pick up the mail... you get the drift. A no-win situation.</p> <p>I think it is all too easy for us to associate home with a certain relaxing of standards as well as comfort. It is not as easy these days---with the era of grand old houses where people dressed up for afternoon visitors and changed for dinner long past---to associate 'dressy' with 'at home' any longer. 'Daily dressy' has, for the most part, moved to the realm of the business district for very many of us. And yet, the wheel is coming full circle, with technology enabling more and more people to work and study and entertain themselves without stepping out the door. Which means, 'dressy' needs to come home to roost --- without fighting a territorial battle with 'comfort'.</p> <p>We'll make peace between them yet, I hope, and soon --- both of us! </p> <p>For me, it's been an inspiration to watch Suz get them sorted out in style, because she's expressed similar discomfort in the past. </p> <p>It's also helped to actually reorganize my closet to demolish the segregation that BJ talks of. Maybe TMI, but putting the loungewear and faded flowers into a separate bin or basket, tucked out of the way, means I'm confronted with only my 'real clothes' the moment I open the dresser or armoire to find fresh undies --- and it's actually easier to just dress in them now than to go traipsing off in another direction to pull out a set of shabbies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-815094 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 07:34:36 +0000 Caro in Oz 815094@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting - I think I do this already. I wear the same things around the house that I wear out. I feel that if I had separate round the house clothes I would stay in them all day &amp; they would start to get sloppy. I do have comfy items for the end of the day - when I know I'm not going out again but these are more like pjs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-815065 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:52:23 +0000 Diana 815065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yesterday, I wore my first wide-leg trousers in years. It felt like I was wearing pajama pants! So I think that qualifies as comfortable dressy! I feel like this in soft silk blouses, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814974 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:15:13 +0000 carolbee 814974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This sounds like a great concept for me. I'm retired but go out a number of times during the week for various activities. These are all casual but I do not want to wear the same things that I wear "around the house". So aiming for comfortably dressy means my at home wear would be upped a notch and I can just check my grooming and head out the door. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814778 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:54:19 +0000 Suz 814778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beth Ann - LOVE what you are wearing today. You look spectacular in that!! That's the epitome of the idea, to me. Gorgeous. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814767 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:51:25 +0000 Anonymous 814767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Who wants to be dressy and uncomfortable? Lol</p> <p>This makes me think of the 'chic' definition Angie was looking for </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814674 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:30:49 +0000 lyn* 814674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I aspire to be "comfortably dressy" too, even though I have to work outside of my home, I feel I can wear a lot of my outfits to lunches and the occasional dinner - while still being able to sleep in my outfits! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814636 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:54:01 +0000 Beth Ann 814636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mander: What about trying some of Angie's "capsule" ideas? I also like the idea of incorporating more "comfortably dressy" items in your days at home. I'm at home today, and I met a friend for coffee. I'm wearing this: </p> <p>I take pictures daily, which the family thinks is a little weird, but they're getting used to it. The pictures help me make choices in a hurry and remember favorite combinations. I actually look at my YLF photo album in iPhoto, rather than stare at my closet. Then, every few weeks I spend an hour or two in my closet, tidying and trying new combinations. Need to do this again! My t-shirts are spilling all over the shelf! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814437 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:36:12 +0000 rachylou 814437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really love this idea too. I think it would be perfect for my modern office environment, self-described as "casually intense." It's an odd place to think about. You don't have to wear a navy suit here, but you do sorta have to be stiff and formal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814357 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:36:20 +0000 Sara L. 814357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is a good phrase to strive for in my casual style. Comfortable is important but still dressy enough to feel good about myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814292 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:50:02 +0000 Anonymous 814292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love this phrase and lately have been feeling that comfort is of very high priority to me, more so in how clothes actually feel to move in as well as stylewise. I too work from home and I think this should be something to aim for. Kim, I agree about elastic waists and expansion of girth so maybe not too much comfort! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814170 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:22:01 +0000 Kim 814170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I run an all-toddler home childcare so I aim for comfort first, then a bit dressy next. I do NOT wear gear at home (unless I'm on my way to the gym), I think it's just a slippery slope for me and an easy way to let my hips and waist expand! (Elastic waists on gear lie to me about my current weight...LOL)</p> <p>Today I'm wearing (as I type) an pair of eggplant colored slim fitting denim, a breton striped knit top and a long polka dot scarf in the same colors as the top. I'm pattern mixing. The daycare kids could care less but I feel better about myself when my hair and makeup are done, and I'm comfortably dressed for the day. I kind of think "Well, anything could happen now and I'd be ready to go for it at a moment\s notice!" Always the optimist I guess! LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814146 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:11:34 +0000 Suz 814146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Because I work at home, I do what BJ suggests. I dress comfortably dressy at home as well as going out! I admit, the comfort factor is more important for purely home days vs. days when I am also out and about. So I will wear my baggy jeans at home and may or may not wear them going out. I will wear knit tops at home (in winter) but may change to a button down going out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814091 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:34:02 +0000 bj1111 814091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>this is a great way to get over the mental block of segregating clothes into "too nice" and "not nice enough".</p> <p>perhaps you could practice being comfortably dressy at home so getting dressed for going out is less of a stumbling block? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/comfortably-dressy-something-to-aspire-to#post-814059 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:13:29 +0000 Mander 814059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The blog Small Notebook has a series of posts about paring down a wardrobe, and while this concept was not the focus of <a href="http://smallnotebook.org/2011/04/07/add-classic-style-to-the-small-wardrobe/">this post</a> I found the idea of being "comfortably dressy" rather appealing. I suppose it is a lot like Angie's MOTG, but somehow the notion gels better with me.</p> <p>Perhaps this is a good thing for me to aspire to! Most of the time I just feel schlumpy and not fit for public viewing, and although I have been working on upgrading my schlepping-at-home style in the last few months I still seem to be frequently paralyzed when getting dressed to go out of the house. Aiming for "comfortably dressy" in most situations would be much more manageable and might help me get over my mental block about "nice" vs "everyday" clothes. </p>