If You're Lazy But Like To Look Pretty, You Need These 13 Things In Your Wardrobe
One is $28. It might be our favorite.
by The Candidly Team
If we had to pick two words to honestly describe our style, it would probably be lazy chic.
The reason is that our very real, very visceral love of clothes is in constant conflict with the amount of time we’re willing/able to spend putting those clothes on our bodies.
Most days, after breakfasts and drop offs and pre-8am Zoom calls, we are not realistically gonna squeeze ourselves into any uncomfortable 7-piece ensemble.
So our solution is this:
Make a collection of comfortable (verrrrry crucial they be comfortable), luxe-looking, seasonal pieces that you know will make you look good all - by - themselves.
This season, we have 13. Pluck any one of them from the sea of sameness in your closet, and you’re already 75% percent of the way to being “styled.”
They’re trend-proof. They’re uncomplicated. They’re flattering. And they elevate anything else we wear with them.
Ready for us to make our case for each and every one? Let’s do this.
1. The Plaid Blazer That Feels Like A Sweatshirt
Avec Les Filles Relaxed Blazer Jacket
A patterned blazer instantly gives you a "look," and that look is very much Sally Albright strolling mid-autumn through Central Park. Blazers already make us seem a little more spiffed up and polished. But they can also be boring and stiff. This one is almost like a sweatshirt, soft and flexible, so you can enjoy how it feels as much as how it looks.
Price: $148
2. The Button-Down You Don't Have To Roll Up Or Re-tuck 27x an hour
J.Crew Herringbone Twill Button-Up Shirt
We’re big believers in button-downs. Every classic, elegant woman we’ve known seems to know their power. You can switch out any top you’re wearing to a button-down and whoosh … you’re chic! But we admit, the tucking and re-tucking and the rolling up of the sleeves take a bit of effort we don’t always wanna make at 7:42am. So we wear this one. The length and shape are perfection, hitting at the exact right spot to not have to tuck but to show no tum. And the 3/4 sleeves are so flattering, especially on a thicker arm.
Price: $98
3. The Most Gorgeous Ballet Flat
Madewell The Greta Ballet Flat
Heels aren't going to happen 99.9% of the time, but these are just as graceful and feminine and can make a rolled-up pair of boyfriend jeans and a white tee look like something Audrey Hepburn would wear to grab coffee in Rome.
Price: $98
4. The Effortless Midi Skirt
A New Day™ Women's A-Line Midi Picnic Skirt
Just tossing on a skirt instead of pants makes you appear intentional and “dressed.” This one is the perfect color, shape, all of it. Also comes in black and sizes to 4X. Plus, it’s as comfy as pajamas.
Price: $28
5. The Cardi Set We'll Be Living In Til Next Spring
We weren’t going to get through this without showing you a set, the live-in uniform of the lazy- chic lady. We admit, we joined the craze and fell for THIS famous one from Free People last year, and we have zero regrets (might even be wearing it now). But something about this pretty cardi set makes it feel even less like house clothes and more like something we can wear out and about from errands to afternoon teas. And trust us when we say MANY people will ask where you got it. The good news is it comes in a million colors, so let the world follow your lead, you’ll still likely be an original in “babe blue” or “powder sand.”
Price: $128
6. The Most Amazing Trousers In The World That Are Fiiiinally Back In Stock
We’ve been in mourning over these pants disappearing from the Anthropologie website for the better part of a year. What else are we going to reference every time we write the phrase “best drapey trousers known to man?” But thankfully they’ve returned, and they are truly the best drapey trousers known to man. Incredibly flattering on curves. We dress them down with sneakers and up with heels, and it makes our legs look a mile long either way.
Price: $148
7. The Heavenly Soft Vest That Makes You Look Like A 90s Rom-Com Queen
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Sweater Vest
If you’re a person whose primary motivation is to be cozy, cashmere is always a good idea. So owning a cashmere vest that you can wear as a top or layer over a tee and look quietly luxurious is an even better idea. Especially at this price.
Price: $80
8. The Toile Tote That Replaces The 6 Sad Shopping Bags You Use To Lug Your Entire Life
Free People Printed Caravan Tote
Toile has had a bit of a hold on us lately. Frankly, we’re not opposed to anything that makes us feel a little more like we’re on our way to a picnic in Provence. This tote does just that. And all the pockets are a godsend.
Price: $88
9. The One-And-Done Dress That Looks Great On Everyone
J.Crew Elena Shirtdress In Cotton Poplin
We all need more good dresses in our closet. Even if we’re not “dress people,” it’s hard to resist the appeal of having one piece we know looks great on us that we can just toss on for any occasion. This dress is so flattering with the smocked waist and perfect poplin skirt. Black is a staple, but it also comes in white and red. And sizes up to 24.
Price: $168
10. The Smoothing Column Skirt We've Spent Years Searching High And Low For
Gap CashSoft Rib Maxi Sweater Skirt
There’s something about a ribbed column skirt that’s as effortlessly chic and trend-defying as it gets. A fitted skirt is the perfect piece to balance with all our chunky, gorgeous sweaters, and this butter-soft version from Gap is like the missing piece for any fall wardrobe.
Price: $70
11. The Tee That's Simply More Flattering Than Any Other Tee
Everlane The Luxe Micro-Rib Scoop-Neck Tee
This is one of those staple pieces we all immediately buy in multiple colors, because the fit makes us look significantly better than we do in pretty much all of our other tees. Plus, it works with every single bottom. Every one.
12. The Cashmere Cap So You Look Luxe When Being Lazy About Your Hair
It may sound frivolous and silly, but the number of days this casually chic cap will save you from having to do anything with your hair makes it wildly worth owning. Possibly in two colors.
Price: $50
13. The Silk Pants You Didn’t Know You Needed
Quince Washable Stretch Silk Palazzo Pants
These pants singlehandedly solve the riddle of what to wear out at night. The shape is beyond flattering, the silk is washable, and the waist is elastic, so they’re actually practical. The dream.
Price: $90
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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