It’s mid-February, and quite frankly the Columbia Campus (and New York in general) is looking pretty bleak. The excitement of Valentine’s Day and the semester’s first snow has passed, and we’re left with overcast skies, slush puddles everywhere, and the knowledge that spring break is still a month away. On top of that, midterms are rapidly approaching and it seems that everyone who lives in a campus dorm is sick with the same cold.
Ok, sorry I just complained about life for an entire paragraph – after all, we still live in the best city in the world and go to the best women’s college in the country (amiright?!) But I know that at this time of year, everything just seems so hard to handle! The culmination of these abysmal circumstances is a feeling of utter defeat, and we want nothing more than to give up. I don’t know about you, but the first thing to falter when I’m exhausted, sick, and cold is my sense of style. Last week I literally only left my bed for class and cafeteria food, and when I did, I honestly looked homeless. I rocked the bed-head and holey-sweatpants-with-Uggs look, and it did not work for me.
Hopefully you all realize that this is so not me (I mean I have been giving you all style advice for an entire semester)! So one day I woke up and attempted to put just a smidgen of effort into how I looked, and something amazing happened: I felt ten times better. I’m here to tell you that it is totally possible to be comfortable without wearing actual pajamas and slippers to class, and when you do, you feel more confident, beautiful, and motivated to keep going.
I don’t want you to repeat my mistakes and suffer a week of looking terrible, so I’m giving you some pieces of key style advice to pull of the “comfy-chic” look; it’s all about appearing put together, even when you’ve just rolled out of bed.
Opt for “loungewear” vs. sweats
If you want to feel like you’re wearing pajamas all day, “lounge” jogger pants or harem parents are literally you’re best friend. You can even wear them with a plain jersey tee (quite possibly the one you slept in), but if you throw on a leather jacket or blazer and some jewelry, you’re good to go. The great thing about this ensemble is that it’s supposed to look casual and thrown together, and appears to be a fashion statement, as opposed to sheer laziness. Pair with some high-top sneakers for a streetwear/hip-hop vibe, or shearling lined booties for a chic winter look that feels just like sweats and slippers.
Jersey and knits are your new BFFs
Sometimes the thought of putting on a dress when you’re tired and sick just seems like way too much effort. But imagine if said dress was made of the most comfortable material on the planet! Jersey, basically what all you’re sleepwear and tee shirts are made from, is unbelievably comfy and easy to throw on. It’s also what most maxi-skirts are made from; this makes them a great alternative to sweatpants or leggings. Bonus: they’re also much less constricting. Pair that with a cozy oversized sweater, and you’re good to go! These materials don’t wrinkle, so it’s easy to wear your jersey lounge pants and sweater while you nap, and then go straight from bed to class.
Rock the thick headbands and turbans
Didn’t have time/energy to shower? No problem. The hair wrap solves all. Do you know what these women’s hair looks like underneath their turbans? But you didn’t notice that, because you were too busy looking at their fun headwear, am I right? Ok so this one’s a bit obvious, and don’t overuse it otherwise people will start to catch on (and also cause you should shower, like, at least every so often.) However, for those days when you just can’t, throw your hair into a bun and whip out a brightly patterned scarf! A fun fabric or pattern will distract from your hair, and make it look like you’re going for that bohemian, messy up-do look. Plus, the thicker you tie the headband, the more of your hair it covers