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What to wear with leggings and the need for comfy casual clothes

anne

Veteran

I am increasingly feeling the need for ultra comfortable clothes to wear in the evenings that are "good" enough for non family people to see. I wear quite structured clothes to work, but I can't wait to rip them off in the evening, and then I don't even want to wear jeans.
I have very casual evening activities (like bible studies) and want the comfort of home clothes.
This is what I wore tonight to a conference on church music and is a sample of that I am currently wearing - I am not too keen on it.

Since I don't want to wear jeans at night leggings are the other choice until it gets really hot, and I feel I need some new options to wear with them. I have a few dresses (like the one below) and some sweaters that are tunic length and close to body con.
I think I need
1. something less bodycon in the sweater dept - both my sweater purchases recently were too short to wear with leggings
2 another top for weather that is warmer - maybe a long non-crushable shirt?

Love to hear your thoughts!

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from anne

bj1111

Veteran

actually...i like both of these.

maybe a different sweater shape like a cocoon --similar to what Deborah wears from metalicus? or a woven tunic--similar to what tory burch does for beach cover ups?

unfrumped

Veteran

I think both of those are fine.
I hear you on jeans--for me they are not my go-to comfort pants. Got closer though with slim BF in a soft washed high-cotton denim as opposed to the stretch and squish fit.
What about a ponte pant or track pant style as an alternative to leggings? These for me are more comfy than jeans but don't require tunic-length tops or dress, so have more options with cozy fluid fit knit tops.

Anonymous

I think leggings with a short dress over would work great. You know all those articles on how to "winterize" your Summer dresses? Put a turtle neck under them plus tights or leggings? You could do that with your Summer dresses until it warms up enough to wear them alone.

What you're wearing tonight is the silhouette I'm thinking of (and it looks good), but with Summer dresses. That pink topper looks great and it has the benefit if being in a Summery color.

rabbit

Veteran

These look good to me. (As an aside I really like cross-bodies with long tunics). I'd also look for long woven tunics, and experiment with wearing booties. You can sometimes wear a tube knit mini-skirt over leggings when you aren't quite sure the tunic will be long enough. Also look for long minimalist cardigans in various shapes, especially cocoons.

gryffin

Veteran

Anne - I think your outfits look great. For lounging (I always wear leggings) a tunic length hoodie is very comfy but more casual. A looser shift style sweater dress or sweatshirt dress would be great. If you want to glam it up and it and the tunic does not have too much volume a hip belt is great. Also EF makes great tunics and if you can get them on sale it can be a good buy. http://www.amazon.com/Nikita-W.....d=14135612 this is the hoodie I just bought. Gap also has tunic hoodies http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=989206012 For a more glamorous look from EF http://www.eileenfisher.com/Ei.....T2578M/Sco very nice with a long or oversized cardigan. Love it belted and there are other styles. Also look at tunics at nordies including EF this caslon tunic gets a lot of love. I've thought about it but have not tried it on http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ca.....personaliz Hope that helps but I love this look and its iterations are what I wear for lounge sleep!! Can't wait to hear what you come up with!!

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Elly

Veteran

A denim shirtdress or tunic or flannel tunic would be fab, and an oversized sweater, maybe something with a more open neckline, then wear it with an infinity scarf. I'd also try some of the track pant styles-- the knit ones are super comfy and could be worn with your new sweaters and casual wovens, slouchy tees with jean and utility jackets, etc.

Dee

Veteran

I wear outfits like this a lot on the weekends in winter, and every so often to work (which is very casual). This year I have purged a few of my more body-con sweater dresses/tunics because they felt a little dated to me and replaced them with a cocoon turtleneck sweater dress and a knee length sweatshirt dress. I'm still hunting for a third piece. I find that I feel more put together in a sweater dress plus leggings compared to tunic plus leggings if I'm going out or having people over. The sporty luxe trend might also be a good option for comfortable style, and shirt dresses as well if they work for you. The oversized boyfriend cardigan would also be a great option!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

What about a sporty luxe track pant style bottom & a shorter knit?

Sharon

Veteran

I second Caro's suggestion. Up-scale track pants are super comfy and it makes sense to use the sports-luxe trend while you can!

anne

Veteran

Thanks everyone so much for the suggestions. They are great! I am running off to the day long session of the conference now, but tonight I'll follow all the links and respond more fully.
YLF comes up trumps again!

anne

Veteran

Quick update. Putting claires suggestion into actionn today

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anne

Veteran

bj - thanks - and yes a cocoon shape may be the way to go. Are they only in cardigans - cos if so I'll need to have another layer. I took a look at tony burch too (for inspiration only)

unfrumped - thanks. I did buy a ponte pant last winter and do in fact wear it in these settings. Unfortunately the one I bought had quilted knee patches which are a little uncomfortable and is still too tight around the bottom for me not to cover up.
I had wondered about the luxe tracky pants thing you and quite a few following you mentioned. The comfort looks great, undeniably. I guess I wonder if I'd style them too casually. There is no way I'd be wearing high heels in this situation for example.

Claire - already trying out your suggestion!! (see my later picture) Felt comfy and appropriate and helps with the (already not high) CPW of the black dress which is now too low necked to be worn without anything underneath.
And yes that pink topper cost me only $10 last month but has been worn so much - so versatile (even though the styling may be a bit dated)

Rabbit - yes - booties would be fine. Your idea of a mini tube skirt is interesting - I see your logic and kind of like the idea, though am simultaneously a bit worried about it being too clingy around the thighs. - But I guess if it was mostly covered up by the top that would be less of a concern, but would feel better when bending over.

Gyffin - yes I am sold on a hoodie tunic - on the list for next winter for sure (specially since I am getting rid of my 3 years old sweatshirt tunic length jacket that DH doesn't like) Thanks for all the links - I like the last one best I think.

Elly - your suggestion reminds me that I meant to buy an infinity scarf last winter!

Dee - I like the way you are thinking!! Have you posted pics of those 2 dresses - I would love to see them.

Caro, Sharon - yes I'll have to try the luxe trackpants out!!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I'm also going to suggest track pants, and I don't know if anyone else suggested it, but how about cargo pants and upscale sweat pants? I'm loving the tweedy upscale sweat pants looks that I've seen lately.

Mellllls

Veteran

i think the leggings option is great. what is your hesitation?

catgirl

Veteran

Track pants! My track pants from Old Navy have been a workhorse and the cargo ones Angie posted are the same. With real shoes and a fun easy top they are like stepped up loungewear that can be seen in public.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Hi Anne. I'm a *very* recent convert to the track pants trend, but I'm never looking back. I cannot remember ever being so comfortable in clothes that still maintain a high elegance factor. Also, do you own ponte-knit pants? Because those are fabulously comfy too and would offer greater top-styling flexibility than leggings alone.
Your reply

Anonymous

I'm totally with you here. I don't find jeans particularly comfy either, so it's always a pain to find presentable casual stuff that's genuinely comfortable and doesn't look either too overdressed or like I just wore my sweats. In fact, I think I wear jeans more for Fridays at work than anything else, because the less-than-ideal comfort level makes a lot more sense for a work outfit than a downtime outfit for me.

So I rely a lot on leggings outfits too, especially ones that are kind of similar to your second one up top, with a tunic-style dress and a long cardigan. (Your outfits look good to me, by the way!) The other thing I do is wear longer tops or sweaters with elastic-waist ponte skinnies. I'm sometimes worried it's flirting with the dreaded leggings-as-pants, but I think it's okay, especially if I wear boots or booties, which somehow makes them read more as skinnies than leggings.

I'm a little wary of track pants because I'm afraid they might look sloppy on me, but I did get the pants below recently. The fabric has a denim-like diagonal weave and they have a normal hem that can be worn rolled or unrolled instead of elastic cuffs, which makes them feel more like pseudo-jeans and less like something athletically inspired. Not sure you have Loft where you are, but maybe something like that would work for you?

Lou & Grey Twill Drawstring Pants

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Lyn D.

Veteran

A great topic Anne- nothing to add but reading with interest!

anne

Veteran

Ooh some more posts, thanks Mellllls, Una, Michelle (yay!!) Aubergine and Lyn.

Mellllls _ guess my hesitation is that a lot of my options feel too body con. I am slightly up in weight atm and that might be impacting on things - or else just the current trend towards oversized or at least fluid fits.

To all of you who suggested the track pants - I am quite ready to be persuaded - guess my hesitations are
1. My real lounging wear is tracky pants - old hand-me-downs no less!

2 The newer versions often seem to be dressed up with footwear.Many of the places I would be wearing this sort of thing I'd be taking my shoes off either because it is a cultural thing for the household or, if it is my place, I may well quick off my shoes while sitting on the couch!

Karie - how are sweat pants different from track pants? (I'm Australian, and I don't think we use the term sweat pants, so am not sure what they are:-))

Mellllls

Veteran

anne--do you wear jeans to work?

Elly

Veteran

Another way to dress up track pants is with the topper--- a stretch denim jacket adds instant structure while still being super comfy. Knit track pants would look good with sneakers like Adidas gazelles paired with a tee and denim jacket. Alternatively, woven track pants can be worn with a sassy sweatshirt and comfy flat booties.

anne

Veteran

Hi Mellllls - I can wear jeans to work. I don't that often, perhaps because it requires more thought than sticking to the work wardrobe I wore in my previous ( no jeans ) job.
Elly - thanks