You’re Not Doing Sunday Right Until You’ve Dressed the Part
This story is part of the Healthyish Guide to Sunday, a compilation of recipes, suggestions, and obsessions to make the first day of the week your favorite.
Wait a second. Are you reading this while wearing pants? If so, that’s your first problem. Because on Sundays (or a snow day, or a holiday, or any day while you’re trying to max out on relaxation), we don’t have time for pants with zippers, buttons, or constricting waist doodads.
Take it from this professional lounger: You’re only as comfortable on the inside as the fabrics with which you swathe yourself on the outside. And while this might sound like shameless consumerism in the guise of finding inner peace… okay, it is. As I write this, I’m wearing designer fleece pants I snagged at Century21 for $200 below original price (that’s INSANE), my softest Zara long-sleeved t-shirt, and a largely pointless bralette in a blue floral print that reminds me of my grandma’s bedsheets. Speaking of bed, that’s where I’m writing from, because I’ve got this whole life thing all figured out. Trust my authority!!
Let’s discuss every comfy clothing item you “need” to laze about for hours on Sunday. Like a “professional.”
Photo by Chelsea Kyle1/6A Housedress
Depending on the weather, or the state of your boiler, it might be housedress season. This Elizabeth Suzann number in the color of butterscotch pudding crosses a lot off my list: handmade of organic cotton with no ethically questionable factory business; hits past my knee caps; reversible so you can put it on without even thinking about which way is up; and hella soft. If someone dares invite you outside of the house, just put some shoes on. You’re good to go, if you must.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle2/6A Super Soft Tee
Nothing makes me feel cleaner than taking a bath and really scrubbing the places that haven’t been scrubbed in a while, like in between my toes, and then throwing on a white tee. I feel like a goddess on sick leave from Mt. Olympus, doing chores in Brooklyn to get in touch with my human side.
Alternative Apparel’s eco-jersey has that eco-silky feel, so buy by the three-pack. I’m particularly obsessed with these hemp hippie Jungmaven tees, and by obsessed, I own one and wear it five times without washing it. They’re soft, but the hemp gives them an expensive-looking texture, sort of a pilly, pebbled look that’s perfect for a goddess in disguise. Also acceptable for wearing in public. But who would you want to go there?
Photo by Chelsea Kyle3/6A Comfy Bra
Like combing your hair and flossing your fangs, this is 100% optional!! However, I love a comfy, padless bra for whatever purpose it serves. Since they stopped making Splendid bralettes, I’ve moved on to the supersoft ones from Land of Women. The land of my people. And Baserange, OMG. Is that magenta velour? I NEED IT. YOU NEED IT.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle4/6Slippers
This is a very personal decision. Do you want flip-flop style? Slides? Fur-lined? I have a variety of slippers based on season and occasion. I snagged my favorite pair, camel cashmere with black leather tassels, for $30 on One Kings Lane. Can you imagine? I regret not buying three pairs and I’ll live with that regret the REST OF MY LIFE.
These Auntie Mame-approved jewel-toned cashmere ones are nice though. As are these silky quilted ones. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was flopping around the casa in these trusty Dearfoams in reality.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle5/6Sweatpants, Finally
You could wear your usual long sweatpants and the gnarled hoodie from that half marathon you ran in 2008 (a good year for running). Or you could blow up the whole sweats scene with a genre-bending SWEAT SHORTS SET. And are those POCKETS? For storing used Kleenex and bobby pins. Essential! Everything from Entireworld is soft and couch-positive comfort wear, earning my seal of lazy approval. For a sportier look, this satin-striped lightweight terry set from Liana is nice enough for a gallery opening, I think? No one invites me to those. Which is fine, as I’d prefer to stay inside.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle6/6Nice Jams
I might sleep in a raggedy hamburger tee and underwear with questionable elastic during the week, but Sunday is sacred. A matchy-matchy pajama set, something in the flannel family, with unnecessary chest pocket to drop popcorn kernels into—that’s what’s up on Sunday. There’s the uber preppy Sleepy Jones stuff, and Entireworld has some stripey fun ones, but Anthro nails with this pale pink cotton geometric print set with thick ribbony drawstring. I mean come on: The brand is called YAWN HOUSE.
That said, you can always find comfort in the flannel corners of the Vermont Country Store, where time hasn’t moved forward since Eleanor Roosevelt was First Lady.
And now I need a nice glass of sherry and a murder mystery. I’ve peaked, folks.
Buy it: Yawn House of Cards Sleep Set, $145
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