Emerson Fry Yoshi sweater | size medium, gift from Emerson Fry to review
Frame Le Garcon jeans | couple years old
Birkenstock Shearling lined Boston clogs
Everlane long-sleeve ryan tee
I wore this outfit yesterday, mostly for lounging around the house, reading, and then to see a movie (Crimson Peak – not as bad as Splice, but not as scary as I’d hoped it would be either) with my husband.
There’s so much of interest in that statement, I feel I should dissect it for you:
- I normally never wear jeans or other “for public consumption” clothing at home, preferring to choose from the myriad items I keep around for “lounging” for, well, lounging. But yesterday, I was struggling with FOMO, and/or the feeling that I should go out and DO something, while at the same time really wanting to finish the book I was reading (Still Life with Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen – WONDERFUL book, highly recommend it). I got dressed like I was going to go out, but got sucked into the book again, and didn’t leave the house until early evening when my husband suggested a movie. Yes please.
- Also related, I bought the world’s ugliest shoes (i.e. The Birkenstock Boston Clogs) more than a month ago to wear as a cozy shoe around the house, but also because they’ll work to take Dagny out in a pinch, and be a more travel-friendly version of my beloved UGG boots (they will fit much better in my carry-on). I did not intend to wear these “out” often, because, you know, they’re SO UGLY. I mean that literally, they are really ugly; I had a couple pairs in college, of course, and they were ugly then too, but oh-so-comfy. To which I said, screw it: comfort wins. I’ll have to make it up to my husband some how…
- Not mentioned, but still related: if you saw my Instagram of last Thursday, you may have seen these Denim X Alexander Wang 003 boyfriend jeans I tried on at Steven Alan. I obsessed over these all weekend, trying to decide whether or not to order them with my return credits at Shopbop, and in what size, because I fell hard for them when I tried them on. Well, not hard, exactly, more like lukewarm, and then harder as more and more people commented on how cool they are and how great I looked (you know how that happens??). They are cool. But so slouchy, they were sort of hard to walk in, being denim and all. When I got home, as I make an effort to do now, I tried on the jeans I already have, to see if the new ones would add anything meaningful to my collection, and decided they would not; they are very different, but still similar enough to these Frame Le Garcon jeans that have served me well, that I needn’t add a new pair right now. And honestly, as I wore this outfit and viewed myself walking in and out of the bathroom at the movie theater with their multiple full-length mirrors, I was less and less impressed at the overall look. Yes, it’s “stylish” in a sense, and so comfortable (not only in a can’t-even-tell-I’m-wearing-anything way, but also in a feels-like-me way), but not exactly my best look. So why would I want to invest more money to create more looks like this?
- And finally, what has happened to scary movies?? I wanted Crimson Peak to be scary. I knew it would be cinematic-ally beautiful, and I’d missed Jax Teller after Sons of Anarchy, but I also wanted to be clutching my husband’s arm with my fingernails scared. Didn’t happen. The movie wasn’t bad. Not as bad as Splice anyway, which is our benchmark for terrible movies. And I love the experience of going to our local “fancy” movie theater with free water & popcorn, and cozy recliners, blankets & pillows, so that sometimes the actual movie is secondary, but still. Where are the scary, suspenseful movies? I suppose The Martian would have been suspenseful had I not read the book first, and anyway, it was still a great movie, but I long for Poltergeist-scary, or even more, Exorcist-scary. Well, maybe not really, as I did have nightmares from both movies, but I want to jump and gasp at a movie again, and be so scared I have to look away. Sigh. I guess that’s what the Walking Dead is for now…
Getting back to number 1 – there is so much more I can say about this whole statement, and my entire weekend, that it’s enough for another post, but suffice it to say that wearing jeans at home didn’t kill me. Nor did I “ruin” my Emerson Fry sweater by wearing it sitting in my reading chair (as if that’s different from sitting in any other chair that happens to NOT be in my house..). And the sun didn’t explode.
I worry SO MUCH about things (everything) that I set boundaries and rules for myself that have no basis in reality. Like, I can’t wear my jeans at home because I’ll wear them out faster and then what will I do? I won’t have jeans! If I wear them at home, I have to change them before I leave the house! I can’t wear OUT what I wear at home!! What will happen to the universe??
Oy. Anyway, this is something I’m working on now, and must become more deliberate about and comfortable with. Not that there are not some things I won’t wear outside of the house, but that it’s both not the end of the world if I DO, and that it’s also okay should I wear some of my favorite clothes at HOME as well as OUT.
What’s the worst thing that could happen??
Happy Monday !!
You got those shoes!!! I love those shoes! But didn’t get them because, well, they are pretty ugly. I mean, they’re an Ugg boot crossed with a Birkenstock. However, it’s not like I don’t have other ugly shoes, so why not?
The older I get, the more intentionally ugly I dress. I am still trying to explain my EF fold over pants to my husband (I got them out the outlet and paid $30 because I had a credit to boot, so I have no guilt!). Some items are just cute in their comfiness, and although I do wear those pants outside, I won’t go too far in them, because, well, they sort of look like I’m waering a diaper or something. But they are so comfy – i LIVE in them at home.
I’ve been a regular reader for a long time, but I’ve never commented before. Why do you waffle so much with your statements? You start out by saying that you “fell hard,” but then wrote that it was “lukewarm.” You do this a lot, almost in every post. It comes across as indecisive. I also don’t get the constant angst about your outfits. They’re just clothes, Grechen. If you wear a pair of jeans out, the world won’t come to an end. Your anxiety is way outta proportion.
yes, indeed, they are ugly – and of course i got them, how could i not?? 🙂 but i don’t think they’re ugly in a croc-ugly kind of way, in my opinion at least 🙂
and i think UGGs are really ugly, i would never ever wear my ugg boots in public. they don’t fit my “style” either though, so there’s that.
ha. i think that some items are cute in their comfiness also 😉
but i agree, too, that the older i get, i just don’t care anymore = uglier (but more comfortable) shoes/clothes. well, i care what my husband thinks sometimes, which is why i try not to wear things he really hates when i’m with him, but i truly try not to care about what other people (strangers) might think of what i’m wearing. it doesn’t always work, but i try !!
Those shoes are cute, not ugly 😉
Vibram Five Finger shoes .. now THOSE are ugly .. lol.
Monica.
haha…
That is the ugliest birkenstock style, it is true. I could not do a scary movie at a theater with extra comfy recliners and pillows and blankets. I fall asleep during scary movies, I don’t know why, defense mechanism? But with a pillow and blanket? Not a chance.
you know, when we first started going to that theater, i thought for sure i’d fall asleep, and i never have. i fall asleep EVERY TIME we watch a movie at home, but never at the theater. maybe it’s because we pay more $$ for it. i’m a stickler for getting my money’s worth out of something LOL
Crocs. Crocs are uglier. But are they even shoes?
Ha. Not in my opinion…
I am also vying for comfy 100% of the time. A local designer Bryn Walker (think Eileen Fisher style with some styles a little more art to wear – but wonderful fabrics and some good basics) was having 70% off and I got some jogger type bamboo cotton pants and some black linen one. My hubby hated the linen ones and called me “MC Hammer”. I love them and they are cute and comfy! My feelings were validated when my teenage daughter saw me and said “Oh mom I LOOOOVE those pants”. So there!
I have pretty much sold my J Crew wardrobe and have adopted more of an Eileen Fisher type style with pull on pencil skirts, dresses, pants and leggings. I don not have time to fuss and be uncomfortable. Here’s to comfortable “ugly” clothing! LOL
I don’t know how you do it, but I think you make those Birks look cute! Maybe it’s the break in the line created by the cuffs of your jeans so we can see your ankles, and the slim tee under the baggy sweater, what do you think? Trying to deconstruct these kinds of looks to figure out how I can look comfy but not sloppy in loose / oversized clothes!
(And ps — I agree with your review of Crimson Peak, it was nicely spooky and atmospheric, but there was no actual payoff to the suspense. And I am a really jumpy moviegoer!)
thanks jennifer 🙂
it’s the “magical” combination of showing my ankles (what little ankle i have…) and wearing a long sleeved, but slim, top to sort of visually extend the length of my arms – if i don’t show my waist or shoulders (to show that i actually have a body), showing a little ankle, and/or slim, longer arms helps me not to disappear completely under my clothes. i think, anyway…
absolutely with oversized clothes, i need to show my wrists, and/or ankles to not look completely overwhelmed. also, any dolman type sleeved dress or top GENERALLY looks best on me when they also have very slim sleeves. every little bit helps!
Hi Grechen. I love the subtle humour in your posts & think the way you expressed the rapidly changing thought processes we all engage in was particularly good! I also refuse to wear my good clothes indoors for fear of good knows what. My neighbour has a labrador 2 toddlers & a 6 month old baby and wears proper clothes at home. I’m childless & have a very aloof cat who would consider it very gauche to shed a single hair! I’m currently wearing a black tunic dress & leggings, my superpower outfit that can repel any stain! Haha
And then there’s these – they are super-practical because you can wear them inside (and then out with your dog) without tracking in dirt, chemicals, and other yuck!
http://mahabis.com/products/larvik-light-grey-mahabis-classic-bundle-slipper-free-soles
I hate to admit, but I just bought the Boston clogs last week…the ones without the sheepskin, so just very plain ugly. I love them!
yay!! 🙂
oh my goodness. i LOVE THOSE!!!!! on my wishlist 🙂
thank you sharon 🙂 i just write like i think/talk/really feel. i’m sure some gets lost in translation, but i don’t know how to do it any other way!
i wonder why we do that, worry about wearing ‘good’ clothes at home? not that what i wear at home isn’t also ‘good’ – but i have definitely drawn an – arbitrary – line between clothes i wear at home and clothes i wear out. which seems very silly to others i’m sure, but we all have our weird little “things” – right??
lol at your statement about your cat!
here here!! and your pants sound heavenly! just my style 🙂
I guess unless you’re a sycophant follower, you’ll receive no response. Although I agree with what you wrote. Take a stance and stick with it.
Hi! can u tell me about the layered necklaces? They look great.
oh, sorry i didn’t label those! the long one is kristen elspeth – mine is silver (http://www.kristenelspeth.com/collections/in-stock/products/small-bar-necklace-1) and the shorter one is by Tina Tang, and it was a gift from her many many years ago. it’s her rose gold star charm on a rose gold chain (https://tinatang.com/product/14kt-gold-star-charm/)
I LOVE my UGGS! Probably because they bug my husband soooo much. Haha! And they are the most comfy shoes I’ve ever owned. I suppose they are ugly. But in a “Isn’t that kid so ugly that he’s almost cute?” kind of way. 😉
Still have to change my clothes when I come home from being out in public. It’s a comfort thing. But if I’m honest, it’s a childhood lesson that’s stuck for too long about preserving one’s “good clothes.”
My daughter told me today that she took my 2 and 1/2 yr old granddaughter shopping at Nordstrom for shoes….and what did she want? Yup. The Crocs! UGH!!!
I wear Bostons for work because I’m on feet all day and my feet freakin’ hurt if I wear “regular” shoes. So, I’ve given into the ugly. I actually just kind of ignore the fact hat I’m wearing super ugly shoes and go with it. But they aren’t as ugly as crocs! I’m just not sure what kind of jeans to wear with them because they are so bulky :/