How Much Do You Dress Up For Routine Stuff?
Posted by: Leonora Epstein
Filed in:
style
5:20PM, Tuesday October 27th 2009
While fashion blogger Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes makes dressing up her job, you’d expect that from time to time you might catch her making a coffee run in nothing more than a pair of sneaks and some wrinkled jeans. It would seem, however, that Jane would never make the pages of “Stars! They’re Just Like Us!” because she takes fashion so seriously that she always wears something rad. Always. The teen blogger once told Teen Vogue that it doesn’t matter where she’s going, she makes it a point to put together an outfit, which she enjoys and makes her feel good. In Jane’s most recent Sea of Shoes post, this proves to be true, as she’s put up some pics of her in a grocery store with one very chic getup—shearling sweater, an emerald crushed velvet skirt held up by a larger-than-life belt, and (of course), some sky-high pumps.
This got us wondering about how much effort we actually put into our day-to-day looks. Work attire aside, what do you wear when you’re dressed just for you? We’re thinking post office runs, shopping trips, getting groceries, taking a walk, etc. Do you throw on whatever is on the floor and not care what you look like? Do you do basics with a touch of trendy? Or, are you like Jane, and you enjoy looking like you’ve walked off a magazine page—no matter what. Discuss in the comments below. [Sea of Shoes]
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Jillakiss
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 04:28 pm: [report]
I love dressing up for routine things (and, conversely, hate dressing up for Halloween… but alas, that’s another Comment box). I kinda feel like I owe it to myself, because I spend a decent chunk of time and money shopping. It can be a pain b/c I also spend a lot of time at my bf’s house so I’m packing outfits and accessories galore, but at least I feel like I’m putting my clothes and jewels to work.
TinaLish
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 04:31 pm: [report]
I wear whatever fits the weather outside. I’m usually in jeans and a shirt, or jeans and a tank with a hoodie. I don’t really wear much out when I’m running errands. Mostly because I don’t have the kind of bankroll to purchase all the accessories I would need to pull off such an awesome outfit. I’ve tried to dress up a little tho, you never know who you might run into.
lea322
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 04:39 pm: [report]
My rule is, if I’m not going to the gym, I can’t wear gym clothes out in public. The amount of effort it takes to put on jeans versus sweats is the same, so I might as well look like I bothered to get dressed this morning. I probably wouldn’t put on a dress and heels just to run to the store, but jeans and a t-shirt with a cardi is at least an outfit. A hoodie and sweats are pajamas.
Cat_D
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 04:58 pm: [report]
I love getting dressed up! I’m a pretty shy person, and dressing up makes it way easier for me to handle meeting new people etc. I don’t really care what they think I look like, but if I think I look great, then I can remember that the rest of me is too.
amandabear
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 05:17 pm: [report]
I like to dress up a bit on weekends, just to go sit at a coffee shop or hang out at the park. During the week I work in an office with no dress code and only one or two other people around, so it’s really easy to wear jeans and a t-shirt every day. So I like getting a little dolled up in my down time, not because I necessarily care what other people think when they see me (because at this point I seriously don’t), but because it just puts me in a better mood when I’m wearing something pretty.
That said, I don’t particularly care if I’m wearing jeans or a dress when I go to the store.
Perceptible
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 05:25 pm: [report]
I dislike dressing up, but I wish I liked it more. I wear jeans to the office and BRING meeting-appropriate clothes to change into for the hour or two I have a client meeting, then change back into my jeans and sneakers. It’s that bad. Good thing I own my own business! I do feel weird wearing sweats in public, though. They’re too much like pajamas.
I Go To 11
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 05:25 pm: [report]
@ TinaLish: Right there with you. If I’m just running to the store to grab a few things, it’s jeans and tshirt or hoodie. I’m still probably more dressed up than others I see at Walmart, anyway. Why bother getting all dressed up to grab a carton of milk? Seems pretty pointless to me.
Buhri
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 05:27 pm: [report]
I go with the comfy basics but I try and add come cute. Maybe with come fun sandals or a pretty cardigan and some fun jewelry.
Lynn
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 07:57 pm: [report]
If I’m running errands or something I’ll usually put on straight leg jeans, cute flats, and a top with some sort of interesting detail. Sometimes I do bust out the dresses and skirts though, because why not? They’re even comfier, often easier, and look better.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 08:43 pm: [report]
Wow the picture is hot. Unless you’re 4’11” ditch the shoes and call me.
Lexington
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 09:01 pm: [report]
I’ve gotten to the point where 95% of the time, when I leave the house, it’s fairly dressy. I feel more comfortable in cuter clothes, and if I’m dressed down it generally means that I’m unhappy with myself in some way, or I’m sick. On occasion I’ll leave in jeans and a t-shirt with tennis shoes, but most of the time I at least make the effort to put on cute boots and a necklace. I just have flashbacks to bad times if I’m not making an effort- if I make that little bit of an effort every day, it makes me happy with myself, and it doesn’t take me any longer!
bethlynn00
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 10:06 pm: [report]
I defintiely try to put an outfit together whenever I leave the house, even if it’s not to go to work. I mean this city is so small I never know who I’m going to run into, including an ex, or better, a Hottie McHottie, so I want to look good all the time. Maybe once I get married I won’t try as hard, but probably not. And know that there are sites like People of Walmart I would never take any shopping trip lightly!
lewomack
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 10:59 pm: [report]
Usually just jeans and a tee, but I do shower and try to make it look like I didn’t just roll out of bed. But there are those times when I conform to my collegiate peers and just get up and go.
cadyms
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 11:12 pm: [report]
Grad school plus a lot of trouble with sleep = less time in the a.m. to get ready. I like to get dressed up, as I feel better about myself, but sometimes it’s just surviving the day.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 11:20 pm: [report]
@cadyms: As a dude I feel the opposite. Any time where you can be yourself, hence express your emotions is a good thing…I like to overwhelm my day with shorts as much as I can.
fallonthecity
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 06:43 am: [report]
Yeah, I pretty much live in jeans, hoodies and Chucks.
Blazicus
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 07:49 am: [report]
I usually have to be dressed up because of my job and i end up spending way too much money on clothing because i’d rather not be told “you look like you’re dressed up for sunday school” or “you look like you’re about to tel me the weather”, i wouldn’t call me work environment hostile but clothing wise its a friggin PITA. i would much rather wear hoodies/jeans/t-shirts and almost all of my comfortable clothing has some holes in it because throwing away my 1999 Munich Hofbrauhaus t-shirt is just not an option.
bellarose
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 09:36 am: [report]
I’m always dressed up, I get compliments all the time. But I don’t spend a lot of time getting ready, most of my friends are suprised that I can get ready make-up and all within 10 minutes and always look totally together. I usually wear a dress or jeans and a cute top with boots, heels, or cute sandles. I can’t leave my house if I’m wearing an old t-shirt, old jeans or sweatpants. It makes me feel gross, plus it’s always best to look your best, no matter what happens you can only make a first impression once, and you never know who you’re going to meet…
Humble Bee
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 11:08 am: [report]
sorry people, but I make first impression with how I speak and act, not what I’m wearing. I love dressing up, but I love to be comfortable more than looking cute. I wear running shoes almost everyday, with Lounge clothes. On weekends I’ll wear heels or whatnot to an event, but not on a daily basis, its too much work, and in the end its even more work to take off all the make-up, accessories to put away, I praise you pretty ladies who get dolled up, I dont have the time or energy for that sh*t.
*Lee*
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 11:19 am: [report]
I don’t know if I would call it dressing up exactly, I do like to look nice when I go out in public. That doesn’t necessarily mean full on heels, hair all done, and all that. But I really think it’s not that big of a deal to take 10-15 minutes out of my day to put a little make up on and tie my hair up nicely. Even if it’s just jeans, t-shirt and such, you look a little more put together.
spatula
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 11:45 am: [report]
not as much as this chick here, that’s for sure. i love that outfit, but i wouldnt choose it for grocery shopping, unless i already had it on.
I really like what @Lee said. Also, I really beleive in dressing for the occasion. I’m not going to wear sweats and a sloppy t-shirt to the grocery store (anywhere) but I’m not going to put together quite the ensemble pictured here, either.
Also, i work in an office and have to dress “professionally”. My office is laid back, so I can have some fun with it, but you can really only take that so far. SO in my downtime, I tend to go more casual and funky, and wear things that aren’t as basic or tailored, that I couldn’t wear to work.
eggsandbacon
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 11:54 am: [report]
I adore looking ‘done’ whenever I leave the house. During the week I’m in shift dresses and heels with something from my treasure trove of Vintage jewelry. On the weekend I’m more rock and roll but I still put the same amount of time into it. When I take a few minutes to focus on me in the morning I’m more secure in myself all day.
LilMissSunshine
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 01:25 pm: [report]
When I was a teenager I used to get glammed up like that too. Then when I was out on my own and every dollar that came my way couldn’t be put to clothes or accessories my style changed. It doesn’t matter how nice you look when your rent check bounces.
Though I have to say I think I’ve taken it too far. Now is definitely a time to re-access my wardrobe. And how I present myself to the world. I have lost the stylish girl in the transition. But she’s dying to come out and play.
Aida
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 02:06 pm: [report]
as much as i love getting my glam on, for my saturday morning trips to the grocery store, its PINK shorts and tangtop for me. dont mind the stares too much! comfort wins over shame.
NaomiK
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 02:30 pm: [report]
Hahaha! I was wondering if the picture was a fashion “don’t”. She looks mismatched and kind of frumpy to me. If she brushed her hair and traded out the sweater for something that wasn’t so hobo-y she’d still look better.
I have thyroid issues that keep me on the chubby side so I tend to dress up a bit when I go out. I tend to go for nice structured pieces with pretty detailing that are still casual though. I just hate looking like a slob.
NaomiK
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 02:32 pm: [report]
also, nothing beats a beautiful jacket and jeans.
erinsaurus
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 08:27 pm: [report]
Jeans and a sweatshirt. Pretty much always. I have to dress up for work 5 days a week, so in my free time, it’s not worth it to me. I have a friend though who gets super fancy regardless of where she is. Full make up, high heels, even to amusement parks.
JaclynKennedy
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 09:42 pm: [report]
I break in my heels doing routine stuff. Like walking around the grocery store to get used to my new heels… Awesome!!! win/win. I try and balance the heels with some jeans and a decent top or I put on work clothes to make it look like I just came from work to balance the heels lol. I mean how crazy would it be to be in sweats and heels. But I am def. not dressed up.
LifeisGrand
wrote on October 29 2009 @ 07:12 am: [report]
I tend to go casual. I (and others) spent our entire adult lives dressing up everyday for work. Now that I’m retired (and under 50 btw), I dress for myself. Casual, comfortable, little makeup, hair nice, but most times I leave the heels at home. Jeans/sweaters in the fall-winter and skirts/dresses in the spring-summer. But I rarely ever forget my earrings.
DancerNinja
wrote on October 29 2009 @ 09:35 am: [report]
Jeans, t-shirt, chucks. Every chance. I bike to most places, so I’m not about to wear something I can’t move in, sweat in, or risk falling over in. But I ALWAYS put on some make up. Otherwise, I’m featureless.
brades33
wrote on October 30 2009 @ 11:43 am: [report]
the girl featured clearly has a lot of money. if i had a lot of money i would look fabulous all the time too.