Making a Weary Day’s Wardrobe

Photo Courtesy from Hawa Patel/Instagram @HawaaPatel

As the weather changes, classes pick up and you forget what sleeping feels like you might be tempted to throw on the same oversized sweater you had the good mind to buy in three different colors with the same leggings and flats.

“I don’t have the energy to dress cute,” you might find yourself whining.

You don’t have to compromise style for comfort. I mean, Vogue editor Anna Wintour has had the same haircut for years and German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has his uniform white hair and suit and glasses, and they never go out of style. You can find an outfit that’s your “comfort zone outfit” and wear it on repeat like a style icon. While high fashion can be about getting wacky or always looking a certain way, style is personal and can’t be compromised to fit into a certain mold because it’s yours.

To avoid looking slouchy, lazy or just plain unbothered to make an effort, consider adopting a “tired day’s wardrobe.” If you have a midterm and haven't slept in what feels like days, make sure to wear your favorite dress or boots or lipstick to the exam.

Build your “tired day’s wardrobe” around versatile pieces that are comfortable, no crazy/ out-there prints, stick to minimal prints such as polka dot, flats or your favorite pair of boots. Layering pieces also works, but most days, it’s easier to throw on just one top and go. Make sure the pieces are ones that you actually like and won’t have any qualms about throwing on when you’re late to an exam. The versatility of the pieces will allow you to wear the same top, pants and boots over and over again without anyone really noticing or feeling like a total slob. Just make sure to wash them at least once a week if you’re going to be doing some heavy-duty repeating. If you were to play close attention to my style Instagram (@hawaapatel) you would notice I wear a certain black flowy cardigan, velvet cobalt boots and boyfriend jeans all the time, just styled differently each time.

If you’re a sweatshirt and leggings kind of person, then that's okay too! It works for you just like it works for Wintour and Lagerfeld. Just as long as you feel your very best in your favorite sweatshirt and leggings then you’re being true to yourself with style. If sweaters and leggings are the ONLY thing you wear October through February, then I suggest adding actual pants, a dress or two and maybe sweaters that actually fit you for once. You’ll feel even better, I promise.

Just because you’re exhausted and dead on the inside doesn’t mean that your clothes should reflect that. Own your outfit! I mentioned owning your denim in my last column, and the same goes for your “too tired to function outfit.’ Don’t let the day, be it a Monday or exam day or an exam on a Monday morning at 9 a.m. day, dictate your outfit.

Someone approached me about my purple lipstick and purple hijab combination last week. Despite feeling like I was hit by a truck I had decided to don my favorite scarf, the purple color is a perfect pop. I put the two together not caring if there was a purple overload, I liked the color enough to buy the lipstick in it, and I sure as hell was going to wear it the day I felt my worst. It was my “you-can-do-anything-even-wear-purple-lipstick” day slash the day I cried after a midterm.

The person complimented how well I pulled the color off before exclaiming that she wishes that she too could wear bright colors or even dark colors.

“Anything but nude lipstick looks terrible on me,” were her exact words. Now, I want to remind you that you can pull off anything, even on your most tumultuous days, as long as you think that you’re rocking it. Screw your complexion or what norms are set by society. Screw the tired demons inside you. Your style is you not all those other factors. So, don’t forgo those new shoes or the special blouse on your ‘bleh’ days, you’ll probably cry by noon but at-least you’ll be feeling fabulous while doing it.