Self Care Essentials: Let's Normalize House Clothes

 

If you follow me on Instagram - why wouldn't you be following me on Instagram - then you were likely around for our conversation about "outside clothes" and the rules we all have (or don't have) around em. So many of you had feelings around letting people in your homes with outside clothes and your routines when it comes to outside clothes. In summary, outside clothes are exactly what they sound like - the clothes you wore when you were outside. Personally, I grew up with very clear lines between what we wore to work, church, school, etc... and what we wore around the house. It was a cultural thing, for sure; however, living in NYC... no one wanted whatever was on the bus or train getting on our sofas & beds. As I got older, I maintained those same boundaries for myself — outside clothes, house clothes — and yes… for guests too.

Personally, I have always had, no less, than a drawer full of house clothes — not pajamas, not work out clothes, but actual pieces of clothing solely for wearing around the house. It was usually old t-shirts, sweatpants, and shorts collected from school p.e. or family trips. I remember when I found out that not everyone wore “house clothes” and I was very confused… "So like y’all are either in pajamas or just what y’all wear outside?! What kinda 90s sitcom life is this?!"

Now that I’m full-time adulting (as I like to call it lol) I have upgraded from old tees & sweats to stylish & cozy sets... and generally just being more intentional about my house looks — comfort without sacrificing style.

At the top of the pandemic, when most people were shut in their homes, working remotely, and/or quarantining, I observed a noticeable shift — it became okay to be dressed to be home. I was no longer the only one with a solid rotation of outfits to be cute & comfy at home — from 2 piece leisure sets to what I’ve decided are my “daytime” pajamas aka pajamas that I don’t wear to sleep because they’re cute enough to be worn around the house or to pick up a package at the door lol. More and more people were finally catching up on what, for me, was always a comfort essential. All of us — hubs, the mini, and I — have house clothes, although theirs aren’t nearly as put together as mine since I am home full time. I have a variety of looks depending on the kind of stay-at-home day I'm having — am I working from my desk or from the couch, will I have any on camera meetings to attend, is it going to be an actual working day or just a stream & chill day. Every "occasion" has an appropriate fit.


How am I making my housewears selections?

I like to stick to two very simple criteria — comfortable & stylish. Yes, I'm aware of how broad and/or vague that may seem, however, for me it comes down to whether or not the pieces I'm shopping for are both comfortable & stylish... not either or... it must be both. That in mind, I like to keep a mix of pieces — onesies, cami dresses, short sets, pant sets, sleeveless, long sleeve, and so many other variations so long as they are comfortable & stylish. One piece items such as onesies and dresses are a great way to ensure comfort — I mean... who isn't comfortable when they're wearing a onesie!? I also take into account the material & the season. I need pieces that are breathable in the summer and warm in the winter... and they don't have to be the same items by the way. Sets are perfect for finding stylish solutions, especially when purchasing sets that come with pieces that can be mixed & matched. One of my fav sets, at the moment, came with a long sleeve button down, pants, camisole, and shorts. That's 4 pieces, yet 6 outfit combinations... not accounting for if I decide to mix match them with other sets altogether.

Finding the right outfits is, admittedly, only one piece of the puzzle. As someone who is (and always has been) top heavy, I have a love/hate relationship with braziers. Last summer, I went on the hunt for bras that I wouldn't hate, being really strategic about trying a bunch of brands & styles at once for my present day body type. I bought full coverage bras, demi cup bras, unlined bras, strapless bras, wireless bras, and even a few bralettes. I ended up falling all the way in love with Harper Wilde bras, especially for my at home comfort. Never did I ever imagine that as an F cup I'd be wearing wireless bras & bralettes, comfortably, throughout the day... yet I am! And lemme tell ya... no matter how comfortable your outfit is, with the wrong bra, you will not be comfortable!

For staying comfortable all day at home, I am currently obsessed with The Bliss, The Bliss Triangle, The Lounge Scoop, The Lounge Triangle, and The Luxe Bralette. They owe me nothing when it comes to comfort & style, and support. I wear each style, as I do with each outfit, to match the vibe of the day — the exact style, the color story of the day, whether or not I'm menstruating, and the day's activities. Gone are the days of me tugging at my bra strap or fussing with my pants drawstring, because I have curating my house clothes wardrobe to suit me in this season of life that I'm in.

With the right brazier and outfit, I go the whole day feeling super comfortable, which in turn makes me more productive... regardless of what I choose to do with that productivity. Do I have to occasionally leave the house? Yes. And I'm not talking about actual outings. I'm talking about short trips that don't involve any people'ing. Grab a package outside. Go to the mailbox. Do a Target drive up pick up. Get the mini to & from school. I have lounge attire suitable for all of the aforementioned activities... I just grab my extra long fuzzy hoodie — aka my "outside robe" lol — and do what I need to do.

The way I saw people finally prioritize comfort at the height of the pandemic, I'm sad to see people slowly stray away from this as they return to their previous hustle mentality. The choice to have a rotation of house clothes — comfort attire, loungewear — isn't just about keeping germs out of my home or protecting the furniture. All of that is still very top of mind for me, being very clear about what I wear when I'm outside outside, and having a very clear routine for when I'm back inside — hamper baskets in every bathroom, hidden valet bar in the bedroom, seating by every point of egress... like I said... forever top of mind. Now, however, it's equally about being intentional with how I take care of myself in all ways.

It's well believed that getting dressed in the morning, even when working from home, signals to our minds that it's time to be "on" for the day; however, no one ever said getting meant putting on formal attire. Allowing myself the luxury of something designed to make me feel good & look good is "getting dressed" and therefore an mental cue to start the day... even if it is just to binge all 11 wizarding world movies with my mini. It's still a signal that sleep time is over, or in the words of young Anna from Frozen I, "The sky's awake, so I'm awake."

Shopping for house clothes has become a gift to myself. I have a very simple morning routine that includes combing my hair, putting on my earrings, and then getting dressed. These kinds of simple gestures of "self indulgence" have become popularized as "soft life" yet I been about this life. I learned a long time ago to prioritize making myself feel at home at home. It shouldn't have taken a pandemic for this to become a universal priority... yet here we are.

Welcome!