Dream Outfit: Waking Up

It’s Monday, and lord knows I didn’t get enough sleep. I stayed up too late Saturday night, and though had enough forethought to get up early on Sunday morning, I couldn’t help taking a nap mid-day. It ruined my circadian rhythm, and meant that this morning I barely wanted to move, let alone find an appropriate office outfit and get on the bus.

(I am lucky enough, however, to have a boyfriend who woke me up with, “I’m out of here; love you; there’s fresh coffee in the kitchen!” I’ll give you a minute to get over your jealousy.)

(Ready to move on? Okay.)

Today, I’m wearing a simple, striped maxi dress and platform sandals. The dress means I don’t have to worry about my unshaven legs, and the platform sandals are not only nice for summer, but also kind to my feet, which are especially achy after a long weekend.

But honestly, this outfit kind of sucks. It’s a little bland, a little safe, a little “meh.” It’s just not…enough. You know?

With fashion ennui to guide me, I prepared my dream outfit for today. It’s still simple, catering to those same unshaven legs and sore feet, but it also has a punch – to compliment the pick-me-up in that fresh cup of coffee.

First, the bad news: if you’re not in the UK, you’re out of luck. These dresses are available for £24.99 at Uniqlo.com, but the company only ship within UK boundaries (and not to PO Boxes). Since maxi dresses are everywhere, though, you can probably find almost the exact same thing at Old Navy (or a thrift store, or H&M, or anywhere else, really), if you’re a US resident.

The accessories are so easy. There’s a reason Lindsay and I keep talking about our search for the perfect sandals in both flat and platform style: if you find the right pair, they’ll spice up any outfit you own. I’m especially excited about matching bright belts with similarly colored shoes. As long as you’re wearing a single-color or ditsy-print maxi  – nothing too flashy – it isn’t “too much.”

Here’s the rest of the list, with shoes running around fifty bucks and belts from eight to twenty-four:

What do you wear to work on those lazy Monday mornings?