5 Comfy 'I Made an Effort' Outfits
How to hit the sweet spot between comfortable and put together.
I’m a big advocate for putting comfort and ease first in an outfit. Shoes that pinch my little toe and rub at my ankles, jeans that need to be undone at the mere sniff of a carb, and shirts with collars so tight my breathing is heavily compromised, have no place in my wardrobe. I need to be able to sit at my desk all day and not feel restricted by what I’m wearing, or get up and walk about without worrying about pulling or pushing my clothes down because they’ve got stuck in weird places.
Yes, jogging bottoms and a hoodie may be comfortable but firstly, that’s not really my style, and secondly, that’s not the kind of outfit that puts me in ‘productive’ mode. Here, I’m talking about my tried-and-tested outfits that strike the sweet spot of being super comfortable while looking put together - rather than looking like you’ve grabbed whatever was at the top of your pyjama drawer.
Six steps to a comfy but elevated outfit
Look for trousers that are smart but have loose fits and comfortable waistbands (drawstring or elasticated are great options)
If you want to hide those waistbands, go for T-shirts or jumpers with longer lengths
Trousers with details like pleated fronts are an easy way to bring in an element of tailoring
Quality fabrics like 100% wool, cashmere, cotton or linen will always look better than synthetic ones
A pair of trainers is always a good way of ‘dressing down’ your smarter pieces, like suits or tailored trousers
Choose items of clothing with relaxed fits, so you’ll never feel restricted
Here that is in action…
Look 1
You’ve probably seen this Elwin jumper quite a few times here on Substack and on Instagram and that’s because a) it’s super warm and cosy, b) I find that natural peat-coloured wool so easy to wear, and c) that shortish length where it just sits at the hip makes it an excellent piece for layering other tops underneath (in this case, a long white Studio Nicholson men’s tee). I’ve paired it with khaki green barrel-leg trousers that I bought from COS years ago (Beyond Nine Mabels are an excellent alternative). They have an elasticated waist (always a sign of comfort) and a loose fit on the leg so they’re really easy to wear, plus plenty of room for wearing black leggings underneath for an extra layer.
Elasticated waists can be a bit of a funny one because they don’t always scream ‘smart’. That’s why I normally go for tops that skim over the waist - like here - giving the illusion of a pair of trousers that’s more tailored. Add in a pair of polished leather boots and it pulls the full look together.