Comfort and fashion aren’t necessarily two peas in a pod. Stylish, modern looks frequently feature clothing that can’t compete with your tried and true sweat set. However, that doesn’t mean they’re mutually exclusive.
It’s possible to create a wardrobe that features pieces that are equal parts comfortable and stylish. It just requires adjusting your fashion choices. Here are a few essentials that your comfort-first closet shouldn’t exist without and tips to follow to ensure you choose the right pieces.
1. Choose the Right Undergarments
When building an outfit, you should be looking for function. An outfit needs to match your day and what you have planned. This means starting it with the proper foundation. You wouldn’t wear flip-flops with a formal gown or running shoes with a business suit (unless you’re commuting, of course). The foundation of an outfit — your shoes, accessories, and even undergarments — can make or break the look. And unfortunately, the wrong pick can leave you uncomfortable all day long.
Avoid that reality by planning ahead. A day of errands calls for a casual top and a coordinating T-shirt bra. Time spent working in the yard or at an outdoor soccer practice means a sports bra is needed. In-office days filled with meetings are more comfortable with a wireless bra that’s neutral and seamless. Your bra decision may feel inconsequential in the grand scheme of fashion. But if your bra is bothering you with itchy lace or pesky underwire all day, it’s going to be a problem.
Similarly, the right underwear can prevent discomfort and wardrobe mishaps. Opt for seamless styles under fitted clothing, moisture-wicking fabrics for active days, and cuts that complement your outfit. Save yourself the discomfort (or embarrassment) by matching your undergarments to your day’s plans.
2. Focus on Fit
Fashion has two main components: how your clothes look and how they make you feel. A perfectly tailored number paired with your favorite shoes is destined to be a hit. On the other hand, an ill-fitting or uncomfortable top with too-tight pants is a recipe for disaster.
That’s why focusing on how your clothes fit — and therefore look — is so important. The next time you’re in the fitting room, be a harsh critic of the options available. Analyze each piece for what it looks like now, and determine if tailoring may be needed for it to be wearable in daily life. Know clothing is supposed to fit you; you’re not made to fit clothing. Honestly, most clothing isn’t even made to fit you, it’s made to fit a standard set of measurements that represent the “average” body type, which often leaves room for adjustment.
That said, it’s not easy to evaluate how you look in clothes, especially if you struggle with body image. Know that you’re not alone in that regard. But also recognize that people won’t know what size you’re wearing when walking down the street. They’ll only see how your clothes fit and the confidence pouring out of you. Lean into that and you can’t help but become your most comfortable, stylish self.
3. Layer to Perfection
It’s hard to be comfortable if you’re struggling with weather extremes. The A/C is pumping so heavily that you can’t help but shiver. Or the heat is cranked so intensely that sweat is pouring out of every pore. Avoid this fashion faux pas by focusing on layering what you wear.
Start with a base outfit. That could be a simple top and a pair of pants. Then, depending on the weather and where you’re going, see what you can add to make it more stylish. If your office is freezing, a sweater or jacket and some boots may be best. If you’re headed to a standing-room-only concert, you may need to stick with a headband and some jewelry.
If you don’t know what you’re up against, opt for light layers. In the worst case, you end up holding a jacket or needing to buy a warm drink. Regardless, strategically layering when putting outfits together helps you prepare for whatever you encounter. And that saves you the headache of fighting the discomfort of extreme heat or cold.
4. Plan Your Footwear Wisely
There’s nothing quite like foot pain. You’re walking around, wincing with every step. You’re desperately hoping you can sit down to avoid further damage to your feet. The only time you feel relief is when you finally take your uncomfortable shoes off at the end of the day.
No matter how seasoned you may be as a fashion lover, this happens to most women. However, planning ahead and choosing the right footwear for your day can help avoid blisters. Think first about heel height and toe shape. A higher heel and more narrow toe box will put added pressure on your toes and the balls of your feet. Lower heels and wider toe boxes will have the opposite effect.
Then evaluate the amount of padding and how broken in your shoes are. Completely flat shoes with a hard base won’t be great for long days of walking around. Brand-new shoes may seem comfortable at first, only to leave you fighting through every step an hour in. With these scenarios in mind, decide what footwear makes sense for your plans. You may find sky-high stilettos are perfect, but more often than not, you’ll likely opt for your go-to low-heeled pairs.
5. Be Wary of Trendy Styles
It’s no secret that fashion trend cycles are shorter than ever. It feels like there’s a new style genre every other week because there is. Cottage core, mob wife, and coastal grandma have all come and gone. Unfortunately, giving into these micro-trends can come at the cost of your wallet, closet space, and comfort.
That’s because a lot of trendy pieces are made quickly. They’re often created using cheaper materials because those pieces can hit the shelves before the trend dies out. Translation: They’re not meant to last. That means you could be dealing with poor stitching, itchy fabric, and a slew of other uncomfortable fashion no-nos.
That isn’t to say all micro-trends are off-limits. You just need to pick and choose ones that won’t have you buying an entirely new wardrobe of poorly-made clothes every other week. Instead, focus on one or two pieces that lean into the trend without making it your entire closet. By the time the next style comes into frame, you’ll be glad you didn’t fully invest.
Comfortably Fashionable
Fashion sense, like clothing, isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are nearly limitless interpretations of what’s “in,” which makes keeping up feel impossible. Instead of wasting your energy striving to stay in the loop, focus on the clothes that make you feel your best. That will strike the balance of comfortable but fashionable more often than not.
