WFH outfits of the week: the comfy & the chic

On The Sunny Side #17 my go-to's for feeling put together behind my computer screen

On The Sunny Side is a weekly round-up where I share a few sunny things that have brightened my days, what I’m reading, watching, and obsessing over too. If the email cuts you off, you can view it on here.

Hi!

Another week has past and I’m officially back-to-work baby! While (im)patiently waiting for my laptop to be delivered, I woke up each morning buzzing to get dressed and dust off beloved pieces I hadn’t touched in months. Getting dressed in the morning is something that I (on most days) genuinely look forward to. It makes me feel put together, more productive, and it boosts my confidence.

Today, I’ll share my week in wfh approved outfits that might spark some inspiration for you to try out too.

---

In today’s post:

• Outfit formulas I gravitate towards

• My week in wfh approved outfits

• Everything I read, listened to & watched this week

Okay, before we get into the fit pics let’s clear something up. I have no qualms about wearing jeans around the house. In fact, I like it. I’m probably the opposite of most people because I don’t enjoy wearing leggings around the house. This is two-fold 1/dog-cat hair sticking to them like crazy and 2/as a yoga teacher my leggings are reserved for working out or teaching.

Now, let’s chat formulas. True to my millennial nature I love a good sweater + jeans AND/OR cute top/shirt + jeans combo. I rotate between these ‘looks’ while I try to add interest with jewelry and accessories.

I would describe my style as classic, unfussy, with pops of color. This is by no means a post where you need to buy this exact [insert product here] to change your life post. It’s simple a wfh wardrobe diary and something I hope sparks inspo for you heading into a new week!

Let’s dive in :)

Monday

Started the week off with a banger. Chicago reached a high of 68 on Monday and the sun was shining. I took full advantage with exposed ankles, forearms, and took my new you-got-the-job trench out for a midday coffee break (by the evening I could go outside coat free).

I loved this outfit. Cuffed jeans are everywhere right now and I have a pair of loose, baggy levi’s that are really long on me, so I decided to cuff them. I think it gives the outfit a bit of interest. As does the cutie little sweater over the shoulders. These jeans are also ridiculously comfortable to sit in for hours.

Tuesday

the inspo pic on the right

Jeans + Sweater: you know her, you love her. I zhuzhed it up with some drop pearl earrings and chain necklace. I’ve had this cardigan for years, and noticed I wasn’t reaching for it much recently. I scoured Pinterest for ‘cream cardigan outfits’ and came up with this.

I don’t know what it is about a white t-shirt, but it can really pull together the most basic of outfits. I’ve been challenging myself to find new ways to wear items in my wardrobe instead of buying a new piece, as I’m trying (and struggling) to buy 1-2 clothing items a month. When I need a little inspiration I head over to Pinterest with a keyword search or take a peek at some of my favorite fashion girlies recent outfits. A few favs include

Stitch & Salt

,

The Wardrobe Edit

,

The Look Buffet

or

Natalie Borton

Wednesday

Quite possibly my favorite outfit of the week. When I got an email notification last week that the DONNI Baby Rib Scallop pants in espresso came back in stock, I’ve never hit purchase faster. I’ve been 👀 these pants since late November, and I’m already obsessed. These pants are crazy comfortable and since they’re flares don’t read ‘sweats’ and I love that. The sweater I grabbed to sling over my shoulders has been in my ‘maybe’ donate pile for a while and it’s another example of finding creative ways to get the most out of neglected pieces.

The color story of this outfit is everything to me. It’s polished-comfortable, ‘is she wearing pajamas?’ chic.

Thursday

nothing like some chunky earrings to mask three day hair

With temps getting warmer outside (Chicago temps are like whiplash rn), I’ve been gravitating toward my thinner sweaters that get neglected during winter since I run *very* cold.

Thursday, I decided to slick back my hair as it needed a good wash and love how this cardigan looks with a sleeker hair style. Again, I donned a necklace and some bigger hoops. If I were leaving the house, I’d wear my leopard print mary janes that go great with the olive color of the sweater and adds some much needed texture.

Friday

when in doubt, pull out the denim on denim

And we made it to Friday! I had an early morning derm appointment before logging on for the day and wanted something laidback but still put together. This is what I came up with. I really like the mustard yellow with the dark-blue denim—I don’t know why, but it’s giving Winnie the Pooh vibes.

The weather took a 180 by the afternoon, reaching high 70s, so needless to say I did not wear my denim jacket or my sweatshirt past lunch. Instead I slung the sweatshirt around my shoulders, because again I get chilly, and just enjoyed wearing a white tee and jeans (bliss).

So there, you have it a week of simple-wfh outfits to make you feel more put together!

What I’ve been reading & watching this week

currently reading/listening to

• I finished up French Braid by Anne Tyler (spoiler alert, I really liked it) and picked up Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson and I’m only liking it okay—here’s hoping it picks up soon.

• I’ve been listening to Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker. I wasn’t sure about it because many people compare it to The Push which I did not like, at all. But (!) it came highly recommended by many people who’s taste I trust and is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld who I love.

• In terms of music, thanks to

  Olivia Muenter
  reminding me about my love for The Chicks, that’s basically all I’ve been listening to. Oh, man how I use to belt their songs in the car! Long Time Gone… absolute perfection!

• Onto TV. We finally finished up Bad Sisters, and damn. The last two episodes of S2 had me gripped. It doesn’t seem likely they’ll do a S3, but I will be first in line to watch if they do. Then we’ve got the usual line up watching White Lotus which is finally getting juicy and Severance (oh my god, can you believe there’s only one episode left?!)

---

In case you missed it …

Little joys of springing forward: the recipes, outfits, and books I’m looking forward to.

February Fixations and the *perfect* everyday blush I swear by

A reading recap of what I read in February

Thanks for reading and supporting Short Story Long. If you like what you read then please do share, like or drop a comment—I’d like to share my style content in the future and I want to know what you’d like to see!

A peek at my wishlist? How I take advantage of Poshmark saved searches? Wardrobe wins and misses?

XO, MacKenzie