March 6, 2023
It was pajama day at the local café, but only my toddler and I embraced the occasion. On that particular day, I sported a camouflage fleece hat (a must for concealing my bedhead), oversized fleece pajama pants (the comfiest option, with an extra size or two for optimal coziness), and my beloved hooded sweatshirt. I even donned earrings to ensure no one mistook me for a man. It’s a small discomfort I endure to avoid the awkward “sir” comments.
Truth be told, every day feels like pajama day for me. I find myself resembling a walking testament to the concept of “casual,” preferring loungewear over conventional attire. My fashion sense drifted into the realm of Lounge Luxe after I transitioned to being a work-at-home mom (WAHM). Despite having a decent wardrobe, it felt unnecessary to dress up when my office is the couch and my workday blurs into my personal life—an endless cycle of tasks without the usual cues to signify downtime. Thus, I opted for relaxation in my comfy clothes.
Life as a laid-back dresser isn’t without its challenges. Once, while visiting my mother, I took a call in her backyard, and she mistook me for a rogue teenager, suspiciously wandering through her gated neighborhood. Another time, while walking my dog near the local elementary school, my neighbor slowed down to scrutinize what she thought was an unfamiliar figure—me. Thankfully, she recognized my dog and realized it was just me, buried under my husband’s enormous flannel pajama pants, a sweatshirt tucked in to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions—a true slob trick.
Shopping while dressed down often comes with the price of overly eager customer service. Sales associates and sometimes even security seem to shadow me, asking every few moments if I need assistance. I often want to quip back, “Can you help me steal this outfit by stuffing it in my pockets?” (I have a knack for using my hands, pockets, and occasionally my bra as a makeshift purse, but that’s a story for another day.) Usually, I hold my tongue and accept that looking scruffy attracts attention.
However, there are perks to this relaxed wardrobe. My kids rarely request rides to school, preferring to take the bus instead of being seen with my mismatched ensembles. One of my favorite morning looks involves layering a nightgown over pajama pants, topped with a velour robe. Sometimes, I swap out my hat for a hair wrap, which enhances my “fierce” look—by fierce, I mean quite disheveled.
Wearing comfortable clothes means I can nap at any moment’s notice. Most importantly, I always feel at ease. Best of all, it’s possible to achieve a more polished look (again, relative) just by switching to leggings or well-fitting sweatpants and swapping the fleece hat for a scarf.
Today, for instance, I feel fabulous. I’m in leggings, snow boots, a sports bra, and a cozy oversized “dress” (okay, it’s a sweatshirt, but I swear it’s from the women’s section at Target—not my husband’s and definitely not tucked in). I even applied some lip gloss and mascara. Today, I’m “fancy” at the coffee shop, and as a casual dresser, it doesn’t take much to feel that way.
I know I’m not alone. Many work-at-home moms (WAHMs), stay-at-home moms (SAHMs), and weekend working moms share my preference for function over fashion. I see you out there, celebrating your own pajama days whenever the mood strikes, relishing comfort even as you’ve outgrown the stroller.
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Summary:
In the world of casual wear, Lucy Hartman shares her journey as a work-at-home mom who embraces the comfort of loungewear over traditional attire. From her amusing encounters while dressed down to the perks of being a laid-back dresser, she finds joy in her unique style that prioritizes comfort and functionality.