How to: Lazy Layering
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How to: Lazy Layering

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!

33 Comments
  • Nicole Martin

    November 29, 2010 at 9:24 am

    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

  • Giorgia Student-Flair Blog

    November 29, 2010 at 9:24 am

    love the concept of the post!

  • D R E W

    November 29, 2010 at 9:49 am

    yay! layering! i do it ALL THE TIME.

  • S. of Narrowly Tailored

    November 29, 2010 at 9:55 am

    What a great tutorial, and what a fabulously put-together final look! Thanks for putting this together!

  • Collette Osuna

    November 29, 2010 at 10:18 am

    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:)

  • Tanvi

    November 29, 2010 at 11:42 am

    What a fabulous post! You look like a million bucks in the last pictures. Layers to perfection!

  • Elena

    November 29, 2010 at 11:55 am

    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!

  • fashion butter

    November 29, 2010 at 11:56 am

    I had to retweet this. I am down with every bit of it. Fabulous post!

  • Rachael

    November 29, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    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

    • tamia

      November 30, 2010 at 8:17 pm

      @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!

  • Lolitta

    November 29, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    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

  • Christina

    November 29, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Love this! Especially how you created the how-to! ; )

  • Nat

    November 29, 2010 at 1:28 pm

    new to the blog, love it and this post!

  • Alterations Needed

    November 29, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    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!

  • Fajr | Stylish Thought

    November 29, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    I love this post! You are a layering maven, pulling the “wool” over our eyes. Those real live people will never be the wiser!

  • Sasha-Shae

    November 29, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    love it..just awesome 🙂

  • Alicia

    November 30, 2010 at 1:29 am

    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.

  • Susi G.

    November 30, 2010 at 9:04 am

    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.

    • tamia

      November 30, 2010 at 8:11 pm

      @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!

  • Emily

    November 30, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    I love this post! I need to look at my wardrobe 🙂

  • Joslyn

    November 30, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    Love this tutorial! You are very gifted 🙂 Thanks for this….I am always looking for ways to go from soccer mom to sophisticated mom 🙂

  • Tiffany

    December 1, 2010 at 1:08 am

    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!

  • Shawna Katz

    December 1, 2010 at 9:17 am

    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’!

  • BrownFace

    December 1, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    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!!!

  • Vilese

    December 2, 2010 at 7:02 am

    love it!

  • Erin

    December 2, 2010 at 6:31 pm

    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 🙂

  • Vivian

    December 15, 2010 at 10:23 am

    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

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  • Jax

    October 20, 2011 at 5:42 pm

    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).

  • Lo

    September 28, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    This is so fabulous! I love the way you make it so easy for us normal folks! 🙂

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  • Elsa

    October 27, 2015 at 5:34 am

    I’m also at a loss when it comes to summer waredobrs! I wanted to layer up so badly today but when I walked out, the 90 degree heat punched me in the face. I just went with it, though, and drove to an air-conditioned store.I love this outfit of yours – the flannel top is the perfect addition!