Fashion is a tool. Not in the “He’s such a tool kind of way”, but as in something useful. Nicholas K, a brother and sister design duo, nailed the balance between athleisure and enchantment. Inspired by the deserts of Africa, the color palette consisted of beiges, blacks, olive greens, taupes, and grays – all known for giving a sense of security. The catch is when fashion becomes unintentional – whether by choice or by requirement – it doesn’t always support our lives.
Gliding down the runway, picturing myself and other woman practically within these pieces become involuntary. The lightweight jogger pants, shown below, allow you as the soccer mom to drive around your energizer bunny children with ease, instead of maneuvering in stiff blue jeans. Chunky statement jewelry paired with simple silhouettes, such as off-the-shoulder jackets, oversized sarong-like dresses, and timeless button-down shirts, created an effortlessly empowered look for the runway. Overall, the collection revealed that one dauntless piece is all you need to go from chilled out athleisure to a strikingly chic statement (all while maintaining the loose, unconformative ease you love).
Uncomfortable clothes distract us from living in our surrounding experiences. In my case, finding clothes that don’t make me look like a giant blob or a hoochie mamma can become quite the task. One night when my friends and I were painting the town red, I realized the buttons on my beloved green blouse were not cooperating. The entire night consisted of check ins with my chest to make sure my skin was covered (because I would rather be known for my brains than bosoms). A friends’ summer send off celebration quickly turned into unyielding internal distraction wishing I had worn fit flatters joggers, interwoven with contentment, and an oversized cardigan (like the ones below) rather than leather pants, meaningless heels, and a disruptive blouse. Nonetheless, I conjured up the challenge to maintain the evening within my discomfort because I knew spending these moments with my friends were more important than losing memories to an outfit change – even if literally crawling out of my own skin was a quite likely result. I did vow however, to avoid further internal rallies of unpleasantness, I would start making a conscious effort to select my outfit choices on what will help me show up and stay present.
When your fashion choices are intentional, life has moments. Work at home one day without self-reproach in your comfortable jammies, or something resembling this sateen jumper (below). They’re like footie pajamas, but the grown-up version. Then alter your mind-set from I don’t have my life together because I’m still in clothes from last night, to I checked three things off my task list in less than two hours – all while rocking my soothing staples.
Here is another challenge for when girl’s night out rolls around once a month. Throw out the crazy idea that everyone wears their best athleisure look to dinner. Yoga pants are fair game and in fact encouraged to pass this test. Wear your fashion tennies, the one’s you don’t drip sweat on when you workout and add a hat for good luck. (Bonus points for the person with a floppy hat that looks like something from Nicholas K’s collection above.) Throw on a lightweight off-the-shoulder jacket, and you will be deemed queen bee of your girl squad.
Get comfy because these soothing staples are now a classic component that are here to stay.
Comment below and let us know how these little experiments worked for you.
Source Images: Alexandra Barone
