Casual (Everything)

Last week, I gave you a look for a fancy night out on the town. In the comments, I was asked by Mimi to do one on how to look good in sweats. Done and done. Because if there's any look I like the most, it's casual chic. 90% of the time I'm in tight jeans, nice boots (usually my Uggs...it's like walking through the world in slippers), a white t-shirt and a tunic sweater or a tunic top, and a colorful scarf. That's easy. If my Stripes Every Day photos prove anything, it's that I dress super casual 95% of the time. It's how I live.

In making these boards, I tried to keep a couple of things in mind: 1. How can you look chic and be comfortable? (The answer is leggings and tunics.) and 2. How can you transition that look into nighttime and still be comfortable? (The answer is shoes and a good blazer.) Here are two takes on casual day, and a transition of one into a nighttime look. Mimi, you're welcome.

First up is a look I call Casual (Mama). It's perfect for if you're running errands, leaving the house for five minutes to go rent a movie, or whatever, really. I put Mama in parentheses because this is also totally an outfit I feel I would wear if I was at home with a baby and had to leave quickly to go run some errands. In fact, this was what I wore when I nannied. It's quick, comfortable, pee-proof (or easily cleaned), and easily dressed up with accessories. I also tried to pick items that were cheap, because let's face it, we all could use a break on our wallet. And if you're a new parent, you have diapers to buy, not $700 sweatpants.

Casual (Mama) by MartyJ featuring racerback tank tops

GAP racerback tank top, $25
Aerie tapered pants, $30
Aerie, $40
American Eagle Outfitters ballet shoes, $30
ASOS earring, $18
Aerie shawls scarve, $15

The next two boards are really two-in-one. The first board is a daytime look and the second one takes the first's staple pieces and dresses them up for a night on the town. I picture both of these looks with the same hairstyle, specifically some sort of braided bun that falls right above the nape of your neck. Something like this:

This is an easy hairstyle to take from day to night. You can wear the fedora over it for a casual daytime look that hides the sun, and it can be your sophisticated updo for your night on the town!

Here's Casual (Day)! This is perfect for running errands, having lunch, working from home, or taking the little ones to the park. Again I aimed for less expensive pieces, with only the watch and the shoes costing a little more money. I figure that those are pieces you would invest a bit more money in anyway. I also couldn't help but throw in the funny "Arg!" necklace, which perfectly sums up how I feel about once an hour.

Casual (Day) by MartyJ featuring gap leggings

Aerie crochet top, $30
Gap legging, $20
TopShop ankle wrap sandal, $85
La Mer Collections gold jewelry, $128
Long necklace, 7 GBP
Fedora hat, $17

And here's Casual (Night). Perfect for a night on the town with your significant other, your gal pals, or your bad self. Again, the most expensive pieces are the shoes and the blazer, both simple, classic pieces that would be an investment.

Casual (Night) by MartyJ featuring ball watches

Aerie crochet tunic, $30
Gap legging, $20
Pour La Victoire wedge heels, $171
La Mer Collections ball watch, $128
Lucky Brand gold chain necklace, $65

Hope you enjoyed looking at these boards as much as I enjoyed making them! If you desire more looks, leave requests in the comments. I'm addicted to Polyvore, and need fuel for my fire.


(1st Braid Updo Photo via Heart and Sew; 2nd Braid Updo Photo by Ali Bosworth; All Fashion Boards Created by Me via Polyvore)