I would: (pict. with green puff coat)
Last week I mentioned how it was OK to go with the “comfy look” when preparing for school. So, I decided to use my very own personal example of what I consider to be comfy-cute; and not everyone has to agree, but until you have your own fashion column, you are forced to listen to me.Here we have a classic pair of black terry cloth pants. These can be worn low, like we all know and love, and are extremely versatile. You can wear them to bed, to the gym, or to school; which is exactly what I do with mine. Once you’ve decided where you will be wearing them, you must finish the outfit accordingly. In this example, which is my school version of the black terry cloth pant, I paired them with a fun puffy green jacket and my most favorite fall item, moccasins. Since we are busting into outerwear at a fast pace, you can actually change the entire look of your outfit by choosing the right coat. It’s nice to have a few options; where in this instance I wouldn’t necessarily throw on a wool pea coat or a leather jacket…that’s just me. However, I felt that this coat was the best choice and that it did what I needed it to do. Beneath the coat, since you won’t be wearing it all day, you can wear any type of simple cotton T or long sleeved shirt. There’s no need to get fancy, so don’t go over board.Now here comes my pride and joy: moccasins. They’re creative, innovative and believe it or not, they started appearing towards the end of the summer. Whether or not you’re a fan, it should be clear that I give them two thumbs up! They are comfortable, and keep your feet warm even without socks. They are a way to spice up this comfy look without putting on sneakers. Moccasins come in different colors and styles, and run anywhere from affordable to not so affordable. I actually saw them in stiletto form and was very tempted, however my wallet was not. Whatever your cup of tea, slip on a pair of moccasins and parade around! Don’t be shy; they just might change your life!(Note: moccasins may also be worn with jeans and skirts.)
I wouldn’t: (pict. with long dress over pants)
What appears to be comfy, might actually just be unnecessary. I call this outfit “hippie love fest meets celebrated religious holiday”; and I must mention I’m a fan of skirts or dresses over pants. However, this style is best executed when done in a more fitted/realistic kind of way. Yes, it always comes back to the “fitted” issue, which seems to be a real issue. I appreciate clothes being slightly more form fitted; and if this feels too tight, at least make sure they fit your body and aren’t hanging off in loose layers. This dress might as well be a potato sack or a long frumpy nightgown…and that is not flattering. Also, when layering dresses over pants, they are often the dresses that one might consider too short by personal standards. Therefore, you purchase it anyway and wear it over your favorite pair of jeans. You don’t just take any old dress and throw it on, you must think about the size and length, and what you will be doing with it. A flat shoe is worn with this outfit, yet another option is trying a pair of heals. Sometimes layers can begin to shorten one’s frame, so a little added height can help in this area. Now that we’ve covered the lower half, let’s talk about the upper half. We go from layering the long frock over jeans, to adding a croppy zip-up sweater. This creates funny proportions and can only make things worse. A rule that I like to go by, is making sure your outerwear covers your underwear…no not that kind of underwear. In other words, you don’t want your outfit to be sticking out from underneath your jacket. If your shirt, or dress, hangs further than your coat, or sweater that is serving as a coat, you may want to readjust things by wearing a three-quarter-length coat. It would take a really long coat to compensate this outfit, however three-quarter-length would be a start. Not to worry, this rule does not apply to all layering techniques. If you have a cotton T that shows just below your cute sweater or hoodie, you’re in the clear! Now in the meantime… lets all be conscience of what we discussed and put it into practice!
