Gone are the days when looking good meant you had to squeeze into tight dresses and painful heels every time. Forcing yourself into clothes that do not feel good makes dressing up a chore. And after all that stress, you often feel miserable at the end of the day.
Of course, there are occasions when you want to get completely glammed up, but that shouldn’t come with discomfort either. Thanks to changing times, we have proven that style and comfort can exist together. So, if you have been trying to figure out how to be comfortable without looking sloppy or lazy, you are in the right place.
In this article, you’ll find amazing outfit hacks, styling tips and helpful advice on how to combine your wardrobe pieces to get outfits that look good and feel great.
How to Dress Comfortably but Stylish
As a woman who puts comfort first, I’m always in search of relaxed outfits that work for different activities and I’m proud to say I’ve found many. Here are some ways to achieve cute looks that don’t require a ton of time and effort to put together.
1. Start with soft fabrics
A comfy casual outfit begins with clothes that feel soft on the skin. Based on the weather, you’ll have to pick either pieces that are light and airy or pieces that are cozy and thick. Cotton, linen, wool, silk and cashmere are some materials that fall into the soft category.
This doesn’t mean you can’t choose any other fabric, it’s the texture that matters. As long as the fabric isn’t scratchy or restricting, it’s okay to move forward with it. And since you know the pieces in your closet better than I do, selecting comfy shirts and blouses should be easy.
2. Match casual to dressy
Over time, I’ve noticed that the best comfortable outfits are created with balance. Matching casual bottoms like jeans to more upscale tops makes a look that is laid back yet fashionable. Any shirt that has unique detailing or a shape that stands out would work perfectly.
You can also do it the other way around with dressy bottoms while keeping the top simple. By styling your clothes this way, you’ll feel ready for the day even when you are relaxed.
3. Elevate the basics
Our wardrobes are filled with t-shirts, sweaters, jackets and cardigans that can make some pretty amazing looks when we style them with flair. One of my favorite cozy outfits is the sweater-jacket combo that just hits the right spot every time.
Simply pair a sweater with fitting pants and finish off with a long jacket. If you really want to elevate the look for a function, you should stick to neutral tones. The muted shades tend to add an elegant touch to this type of outfit.
4. Prioritize foot wear
In my opinion, the shoe is where comfort really comes from. Any foot wear that is difficult to walk in is completely out of the question. Here we want sneakers, sandals and trainers for starters. When you need something that’s somewhere in between shoes and sneakers, loafers are always there to fall back on especially on those long days.
However, if you want shoes with height, there are still some options to explore. Heels can be comfortable as long as you stick to the right kind. Block heels and wedges are known for their balance. Kitten heels are also preferred since they do not put too much pressure on the calves. Whatever your choice is, always ensure that there is enough wiggle room for the toes because comfort is the goal.
5. Layer like a pro
Have you ever noticed those people who just know how to wear clothes in appealing ways and you are wondering how they do it? well let me tell you, they layer like no one is watching. Take a page from celebrity stylists and spice up your wardrobe styling.
Don’t wear the pieces as they are, add your own twist to them. Take a white button-down shirt, layer with a simple A line dress and you have made an outfit that is not only cute but also comfortable. For a different event, you can wear the same white shirt but this time with a sweater over it (preppy style) and no one will be the wiser.
6. Choose easy designs
Go with clothes that are simple to put on. If you are building up your chill and relaxed wardrobe, focus on uncomplicated designs like wrap dresses, maxi skirts, wide leg pants, blazers and so on. These pieces are easy to throw on and more importantly, they can be styled up or down to suit many activities.
When running errands, a wrap dress finished with a pair of trainers keeps things comfortable. Going for brunch or a coffee shop date? Make your maxi skirt outfit convenient by matching it to any of the dressier shoe options we talked about in number four, just to keep it chic.
7. Add a pop of colour
Women who love playing with colour will find this tip helpful. Avoid racking your brain trying to check which colours work together. Instead of working with a jumble of shades, pick one bright clothing with item of clothing to be the main attraction and keep everything else neutral.
I do this a lot with blazers. All I have to do is put my favorite pink blazer on a white tee, pull up my blue boyfriend jeans and the compliments start rolling in. But why limit yourself? You can always add a pop of colour with shoes, bags and even belts.
8. Accessorize with intention
When dressing for comfort, it’s important to add accessories that give sophistication to the look. Wear beautiful earrings, adorn with necklaces and stack on those bracelets. If fashion rings are your thing, don’t hesitate to use them as well. Jewelry is one component that can add sparkle to your casual look while maintaining the effortless vibe.
Accessorizing doesn’t end with jewelry, other extras can refine comfy outfits. Scarves can be worn Turkish style like the photo above, or they can be tied as a neck piece. You can even use one on your bag when you wrap it in a bow. On sunny days, sunglasses may come in handy, protecting your eyes while finishing the look with a touch of luxury.
9. Wear matching sets
As a comfy girl, I’m a big fan of cord sets. They are the definition of comfortable clothes because they take away the pressure of matching tops to bottoms. All that is left to do is to complete the outfit with the right elements.
Linen co-ord sets are great in warm weather. You can wear them for running errands, grabbing drinks, or attending a casual event. Athleisure sets are very popular as modern travel outfits and with the right sneakers, you can rock them for your weekend plans.
10. Go black
When in doubt, pick up a basic long-sleeved t-shirt, slap it on denim pants and you are good to go. You simply can’t go wrong with black outfits because it is an amazing base shade and almost anything you decide to wear over it will work.
Some might say a black outfit can seem too serious, but that’s not always the case. If you have a black maxi dress, wear a jean jacket over it and finish off with sandals. And when you are in the mood for something more eye-catching, sprinkle some vibrant accessories to turn a simple black look into a runway moment.
Final Thoughts
Striking the balance between comfort and style is not as difficult as it may seem. With a little guidance, getting dressed can feel simple and stress-free. A dash of colour here, a few layers there, and before you know it, the comfy chic lifestyle becomes second nature.
