Raiding My Sister’s Closet: What to Wear When You’d Rather Stay in Pajamas
My mom is a serious believer in getting dressed every single day. Even when she’s sick, she showers and puts on some semblance of real clothing. She always says something along the lines of, “Lying around in dirty pajamas is going to make me feel more sick, not less sick.”
I’ve definitely picked this up from her over the years – even if I’m deathly ill, I’ll still shower and put on clean pajamas and brush my hair so I don’t feel so gross.
In fact, I can’t remember a day in the last fifteen years where I haven’t gotten dressed and done at least some semblance of my hair and makeup.
Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t days when I’d WAY rather stay in my pajamas and lounge around as comfortably as possible.
Here are my three go-to items for getting dressed without sacrificing the comfort of yoga pants (and it doesn’t include wearing a dress – I’ll never understand how a dress is more comfortable than pajamas for some people).
1. Leather Leggings
When I wrote about these leggings, I’d owned them for all of a day but I’ve now worn them at least twice a week since we arrived in London. They are the only pants I own where I’m not scrambling into my pajamas ten seconds after I close the door when my girls go to bed. I’m not a mega-fan of regular leggings, but the faux leather on this pair make them look more like real pants and also like you aren’t wearing pajamas, even if it feels like you are.
Also, a couple people asked if they were super hot to wear, but they feel exactly like regular leggings to me. Also, $8 from Forever 21.
2. A scarf.
When I’m feeling particularly pajama-happy, the last thing I want to wear is jewelry. Is it just me, or can a necklace feel so itchy and heavy around your neck sometimes? A scarf makes your outfit look more pulled together, adds some pattern, color, and texture, and doesn’t feel all weighty. A jacket is also one of my favorite additions – it’s cozy and is a great way to finish off an outfit.
3. Comfortable real shoes.
This is a very convenient time for sneakers and flats to be hugely popular, since I can wear heels about one block in London before I want to die. I pretty much live in my Converse shoes these days – they go with everything, they don’t fall off, and they’re wildly trendy right now. Plus, they look great with my leather leggings.
If you’ve seen me in the last month, the chances that I’m wearing some combination of this outfit are through-the-roof high.
Great lesson from your mom…and I totally agree. It makes you feel so much better…even if you change from pjs to yoga pants! 🙂
I've never tried the leather leggings (I always think about Ross and the Friends episode with leather pants)..hah!
It has to be the right kind of dress, but I can think of at least two I've had that are more comfortable than anything else I've ever worn.
I think these look great on you, but I am having a hard time coming around to them for myself. I've tried them on and my husband laughed and laughed and laughed… then he genuinely apologized and then laughed some more! I guess leather leggings are not for everyone. 🙂
I'm the same way – I have to shower, put on clean clothes, and do a little bit with my hair and makeup every single day, or else I feel gross. For me, ponte pants, a tunic, and boots are what I wear when I would rather stay in my pajamas 🙂