TOP - EQUATION boutique, PANTS - ATHLETA, SHOES - schutz

Right now, staying in our PJs can seem like a solid sartorial choice. After all, who is going to see us? The only people who witness what we do or do not put are those who’ve already beheld us at our worst. Since they’re looking similarly unkempt, they’re unlikely to critique our appearance. In such a low-pressure style scene it’s easy to get in a rut – leaving us feeling anything from uninspired to unproductive to unsexy! But take heart, there are ways to soup up our stay-at-home look using just what’s in our closets. To get some new ideas, I tried Who What Wear’s 30-day Wardrobe Challenge, Hanging at Home Edition – a daily dare to quit your comfort zone without making you physically uncomfortable. Here are the eight top tips I’m excited to share.

1. Layering adds warmth and interest

shirt - nation ltd, belt - loeffler randall, shoes - soludos

I gave a little whoop whoop for all us chilly climate-dwellers when, on day 20, we were tasked with trying “an unexpected layering combo.” Layering can let you wear that sundress – or tank or tee – when the meteorological season hasn’t quite caught up with the fashion season. If a 40-degree morning turns into a 70-degree day, you can handle the fluctuation, no sweat. With each layer you also add interest. A sweater tied nonchalantly over your shoulders adds warmth and ‘oh, I just threw this on’ sort of chic.

2. Colors can play well together

blazer - derek lam 10 crosby, shirt - claudie pierlot, jeans - mother, shoes - castaner

It’s natural to want to pair color with…well…naturals. But coupling colors can make even the basic outfit look fashion-forward. Who What Wear had us “pick one color family and dress in it head to toe.” I chose variations of red because, well, that’s what happens to you when you’ve spent 10 years in TV! But you could just as easily make your monochromatic look out of shades of beige, blue or grey – playing with texture, patterns and cuts to keep things interesting.

3. A fresh color palette can create a whole new you

jacket - hampden, belt bag - senreve, jeans - trave

Fifteen years ago, I swore I would never wear beige again. A candid colleague told me my beige blazer washed me out on air. I’ve assiduously avoided the color ever since. That was until the Challenge told us to “gather our beige items and try oat-milk dressing.” Yikes! I had to dig through the depths of my closet to find a “croissant” colored jacket that I’d bought before admitting croissants were beige. But you know what? It felt great! This is a case where ‘a change is as good as a rest.’ Love brights like me? Give neutrals a chance. Already a buff of buff? Why not brighten things up?

4. Colorful shoes can brighten your outfit and your mood

Day 27 of the Who What Wear Wardrobe Challenge dared us to wear socks with shoes

Sometimes the Challenge taught a different lesson than the one intended. “Let your inner grandma out with socks and slides” taught me to never ever to wear socks with slides – no matter how trendy the look. However, if you take away the terrible tube socks, you do see the joy of the bright shoes I wore to distract from the horrid hosiery. Not only do brights liven up even the most ordinary outfit, they make you smile! Just think back to those halcyon days when you saw beings other than your pet, partner or progeny. Didn’t you feel happy when you saw someone with dazzling footwear? It’s amazing what a difference a shoe makes.

5. Prints let you instantly feel in season

top - ganni, jeans - trave, shoes - jibs

Do you have a print that makes you feel, ‘ah, spring has finally sprung?’ For me, the season started in earnest when I put on a floral shirt for “pick a print, any print” day. Maybe your preferred pattern is polka dots or gingham or tie-dye – all au courant for SS2020. Can’t choose? Don’t! Pairing patterns is a savvy sartorial choice – if you couple carefully. Whatever your pick, a print can pull us out of the winter doldrums. Or other doldrums. Since there are rather a lot of doldrums to go around this year!

6. Real pants can be right at home in your quarantine closet

On day six we were challenged to “wear real pants.” After wearing sweats, leggings or maybe PJs for weeks, this seemed like a bit of a stretch – or rather lack of stretch. However, once I’d remembered what real pants were, it was surprisingly easy to fit them into a stay-at-home wardrobe. Trousers this season are relaxed. Knit pants, cargoes, wide legs and stretchy waists are all at our disposal. When you can go from a virtual meeting to a bike ride without changing out of your chinos, that’s got to be a win, right?

7. A dress can be as comfy as sweats

There are lots of associations we make with dresses that are the opposite of relaxed. ‘Getting dressed up,’ ‘dressy,’ ‘dress clothes.’ But when the Challenge told us to wear our ‘most nightgown-like dress,’ it was a reminder that this year, dresses don’t have to be fancy. Easy, flowy and stretchy are more appropriate this season. Yay for us! Plus, would could be easier than picking out one piece of clothing and calling it an outfit?

8. It’s chic to throw on a baseball hat

If quarantine is giving you a perma-bad hair day (hello frizzy roots!) then thank fashion it’s now OK to throw on a hat. “The fashion girls have spoken,” proclaims Who What Wear when challenging the reader to ‘try a baseball hat for your social distancing walk,’ “baseball caps are in.” I need no more encouragement to don the most low-effort of all looks! How about you?

I found the Challenge a fun way to get dressed for a month. Hopefully you found the tips helpful too - and maybe a bit of inspiration for when someone other than your housemates will get to appreciate your efforts! Stay safe and do share any stay-home dressing hacks you’ve found helpful with a comment!