I’m back! Back from…wherever it is people go when they’re burnt out from the responsibilities of being a so-called adult but can’t afford an actual vacation with beaches and fruit-infused liquors and stuff.
Between working (mostly) from home and preparing for holidays that revolve around eating, it’s easy to get used to slobbing around in gear best suited for parking it on the couch. Sometimes, though, I have to leave the house (I know. I know.) and you know, go talk to people. Real live people. In person. Where they can see me.
So, in order to avoid subjecting the rest of the world to the vision that is schlubby me, I’ve developed a system to quickly go from “Girl, you better not go outside lookin’ like that!” to “Hey, you look like a presentable human-type person.”
American Apparel tee and leggings
Allen B. tunic, J. Crew socks
At this point, I feel it’s necessary to reiterate that leggings are not pants. Unless you’re belting out “Bad Romance” onstage while sparks fly out of your machine gun bra, you need to cover your ass when you’re wearing leggings. Mmkay?
BCBG cardigan, thrifted belt
Anthropologie earrings, thrifted blazer and ring
Add a scarf and ankle boots, et voila! It’s my “Of course I didn’t just roll out of bed, I’ve been preparing for this meeting all day” look!
Leigh and Luca scarf; Sigerson Morrison boots
Do you have any secrets for going from schlub to fab? Share!
Sweetie Pie
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Wow, this is way better than my go-to schlub outfit… which is simply leggings, an oversized tee, sweater, etc., scarf, and boots or chucks, depending on the situation. This looks like something I actually WOULD put time and effort into, haha!
Thanks for the tips though, I am going to try being a more presentable schlub from here on out 
~Nicole
love the concept of the post!
yay! layering! i do it ALL THE TIME.
What a great tutorial, and what a fabulously put-together final look! Thanks for putting this together!
Hello dollie!!! SO glad you are back!!! I left you several emails, including one this morning:)
LOVE LOVE this outfit…..and love the scarf….you look fabulous sweets:)
What a fabulous post! You look like a million bucks in the last pictures. Layers to perfection!
Hi, Tamia! I just found your blog and I declare myself completly in love with it!
Thanks for this layering lesson. I’m a beginer and I really appreciate it.
Have a great week!
I had to retweet this. I am down with every bit of it. Fabulous post!
I think this is a great post!
I’m all for layering but I love how you’ve shown how to go from slumming on the couch to fully dressed. I tend to spend my Saturdays around the house in the first outfit but rarely layer up to a full outfit. Instead, I’ve been changing all together.
I might have to try this out! Thanks!
Rachael at http://styleeveryday.com
@Rachael: Give it a try! Changing entirely takes too much darn effort:)
@Lollita: Thanks! I appreciate your coming out of lurkdom!
@Alterations Needed: I know! I seriously want to tell people “Um, sweetie, I can see your drawers.” American Apparel winter leggings are good and thick, no chance of flashing the crowd.
@Elena: Thanks for stopping by!
Ok, I rarely leave comments on blogs. I usually just lurk..LOL! This however, has to get two thumbs up! Love it! By the way, I love your hair.
Lo
Love this! Especially how you created the how-to! ; )
new to the blog, love it and this post!
That was so cool to see your frumpy to fab transformation! You make it look so easy!
Sidenote – I’m so scared to buy leggings because I’ve been too traumatized by all the bare @ss I see on girls who wear them as pants! Um…ladies…those things are SEE-THROUGH when stretched, ya know!
I love this post! You are a layering maven, pulling the “wool” over our eyes. Those real live people will never be the wiser!
love it..just awesome
BRA-VO.
I still don’t get why this concept is still so hard for me to understand. It’s getting cold, though, so I’m really glad you did this.
I’m being SO serious right now.
Hi Tamia- Thanks for tackling this problem. It is the biggest wardrobe issue in the fall/winter I think. You gave me some great ideas. I love your sense of humor too! Can’t wait for the next tutorial.
@Susi G.: It can be difficult to figure out which silhouettes and textures work together, but the basic idea boils down to “keep putting on clothes.”
@Joslyn: Thanks! I imagine being a parent takes getting dressed in a hurry to a whole new level!
@Alicia: From what I’ve seen, you seem to have the whole “style” thing down. And aren’t you in Cali? I spit on your “cold weather!” Pfft!
I love this post! I need to look at my wardrobe
Love this tutorial! You are very gifted
Thanks for this….I am always looking for ways to go from soccer mom to sophisticated mom 
you are so CUTE! you look so sweet and innocent in your mailbox attire.Checked the mail once in hot pink thread bare sweat pants (not even a matching top) and my neighbor happened to be out front snapping pix of the snow. She took my pic and put it on Facebook. Lesson learned!
Ha ha ha!! You are too much! Not everyone can make a tutorial so damn witty!
Thanks for the belly laugh this morning, and with all the turkey, dressing, and pie in there, it really was a jigglin’!
This was so well put together. I admit that I really don’t know how to layer that well, but will try after this. OMG…so on point about leggings NOT being pants….UGH!!!
love it!
PERFECT tutorial! I am one of those people who has no idea how to layer well – so needless to say this really helped me.
Now I just need some fun tops and jackets… hmmm
AHha yes really nice! I’d look like a muffin though with 4 layers! :/
I usually go from schlub to fab without even noticing it and wanting it, because when I pick somethi8ng randomly I usually pick something that is “too much” and I end up being “outshining” without wanting it!
And, also, the more I try to cover me up, the more people notice me: I wear those huge sunglasses when I feel schlub, maybe a hat because I have a bad hair day, and lots of stuff that do exactly the opposite of what I wanted!
So, it’s really an unknow factor for me! XD
Absolutely love this post and all your very do-able styling tips. Thanks for re-inspiring this layer-loving-lady, and for getting me excited about getting dressed and leaving the house (like you, I work from home mostly, and my motivation to venture outside and interact with others is usually non-existent).