Your alarm clock blares. It’s 6:35 a.m. You’ve overslept after hitting the snooze button countless times – heavens know why the heck you signed up for that 7 a.m. class in the first place. Obv you want to have breakfast, but if you want to make it to class on time that means you only have about two minutes to get dressed and 15 to eat.
You get out of bed, and then it hits you: You haven’t done laundry in a month, so what’s left of your wardrobe is basically criminal. You have an assortment of stay-at-home tees and a pair of sweatpants so faded they make you cringe. Don’t worry, though. If you don’t have time to find something else, there are so many ways you can upgrade these classic lazy-girl staples into outfits that are both stylish and comfortable.
1. Score with a crop top
Pair a crop top with your ratty grey sweatpants, and it feels like you’re wearing PJs while you actually looking like you tried. We stan a baggy black jogger/crop top combination for a look with super casual vibes. Wear this relaxed ensemble to class or a library study session. Black sweatpants go great with just about any crop top style and color. You could totally use something like this cute Dolls Kill set.
If that ensemble is still too simple for you, try a more eye-catching color-block style. This set worn by blogger Mimi Nash gives us some major outfit inspo.
2. Elevate with heels
This sounds weird, but hear us out. Heels are the fastest way to upgrade your sweatpants and tee into something a v cool New York City influencer would wear. It’s the best combination of high-fashion and athleisure – and if Rihanna did it, y’all know it looks good.
Word of advice: Heeled sandals in black or white should be your go-to here. (Talk about a versatile shoe.) But, if heeled sandals aren’t your thing, any other style of statement sandal will work just as well.
3. Your ears can own it
Add a pair of statement earrings to your outfit, and you just made sweatpants fashion. Congrats! We love a good dangly chandelier earring for that could-still-slay a fashion show vibe.
Incorporating these is a simple way to elevate your ‘fit without having to put in a ton of effort. They upgrade any outfit because not only do they draw the eye away from the least fashionable parts of your creation, whenever someone looks at you they’ll probably think you’re heading to a gala instead of class.
4. Jean jackets for a cool-girl look
When you’re in a pinch and need to either upgrade or downgrade your look, having a piece in your wardrobe that’s scalable is key. The jean jacket is definitely one of those pieces. A light-washed, semi-distressed blue is especially fun to pair with sweatpants. Throw on your sweats, a tee, and the jacket, and you won’t look like you just rolled out of bed.
5. Boho chic all day
Depending on how you style them, boho skirts can be both casual and dressy. Pairing these long skirts with a t-shirt will dress them up a bit, and it’s a comfortable outfit for when you have to sit through long lectures. Since boho skirts are a bit of a statement piece, we suggest sticking to basic colored tees— especially white tees. For lovers of the boho style, there are plenty of ways to incorporate the fashion into your daily life.
Arhiadne, a sophomore at UPR says, “I love to pair my boho skirts with crop top tees. They’re super comfy, and on hot days they’re plenty breezy as well.”
6. Go bodycon
Bodycon skirts can be paired with just about any top. And if you only have a tee shirt to pair with it, bodycon skirts can instantly transform it into a dressy option (especially when paired with those heeled sandals we talked about earlier). Bam! You’ll walk into class looking just as hot, and put together, as Corissa from Fat Girl Flow.
7. Lace up with a corset
Corset belts are very trendy right now. They’ve been spotted everywhere from the catwalks to the streets. These belts come in a bunch of materials and types: from leather to suede, there are belts for any occasion. If you’re not convinced that this can work for you, just take a look at Rihanna rocking a plaid corset belt and basically ending us all. Now that’s style.
No matter how late you wake up or how lazy you are in the morning, having versatile and evergreen fashion staples – like heeled sandals, a black bodycon skirt, and statement earrings in your favorite colors – can instantly transform any outfit. But, you can still always stride into class in sweatpants and an old tee. As long as you’re confident, you’ll glow!