Loungewear or Streetwear?

from loungewear to streetwear

Has the past year changed the way you dress?

Have you started wearing casual outfits to work-related Zoom-meetings? And have you popped into your local supermarket wearing your loungewear (or even a nightie)?

In my case: yes, yes, and yes. 

I admit I’ve always been rather flexible when it comes to personal style: my idea of ‘formal wear‘ is smart casual at best. But I’m sure over the past year we’ve all blurred the line between work and play, at least as far as style is concerned.

And why not? Why should we categorise certain clothes as ‘work clothes’ and others for ‘leisure’? And what makes a certain item appropriate to wear at home but not for a night out in a restaurant?

Obviously, I’m not talking about functional clothing (such as fitness or gym wear, for example), but the elusive line between loungewear and streetwear, and whether there should be a distinction to begin with. Or, to put it this way: who cares?

loungewear to streetwear

I’m not a fan of clear distinctions. What can I say? I’m Generation X: I remember the time when it was OK to blur the lines, and refuse to fit neatly into the assigned box, or any box, for that matter… You could simply mix and match this and that to suit your personality, rather than your social class / gender identity / ethnic origin.

As you may have guessed, I’m not a fan of identity politics, either. Or intersectional whatever. Although I would definitely call myself a feminist, I see no point in assigning further labels to it. Suffice it to say that I want to feel empowered, not partake in a victim identity contest. And while I refuse to accept any labels assigned to me by others, I also claim my right NOT to define myself, or my clothes. In other words, if I have to fit into a box, it’s not my game…

casual chic loungewearcausal chic over 50

Outfit details:
hoodie (old): EDC / t-shirt (old): J.Crew / trousers: Ritva Falla / socks (old): Marimekko

Would you wear loungewear as streetwear?

Tiina

PS: There’s a new Dilettante Artist post: a self-portrait. Or two, actually…

Linking up with:

Elegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink,  Not Dressed As LambLiving on Cloud NineElegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashAway from the BlueMummabstylish , The Grey BrunetteMutton Years Style and I, Confessions of a Montreal Styling DivaIndependent Fashion Bloggers

17 Comments

  1. Flora
    28 March 2021 / 9:00 pm

    I would wear lounge wear as street wear if the trousers were as nice as the ones you are wearing, (I see they only ship to Finland, boo).

    • Tiina L
      Author
      30 March 2021 / 1:43 pm

      Thanks, Flora! Too bad they don’t ship abroad.

  2. Señora Allnut
    29 March 2021 / 11:15 pm

    I love your attitude, it resonates on me, as I’m Generation X too (and kinda proud of it, well, not bragging but quite happy embracing who I am). Totally identified with not fitting into any assigned box, nor stereotype.
    And I’m also loving your loungewear, which looks perfect for a walk or a meeting!. Comfy&cool!. I love some striped tshirts, and love your comfy trousers.
    I’ve gone to the supermarket in my (plaid) pyjamas and even wore a satin pyjama (and my father’s wedding suit jacket on top) for partying some years ago!.
    I’m glad that people are thinking out of the box, feeling free to wear whatever they like.
    besos

    • Tiina L
      Author
      30 March 2021 / 1:52 pm

      The way the world is going, the ‘boxes’ we’re supposed to fit in (or ‘allowed’ to fit in) are getting narrower and narrower, and I’m getting really tired of it. It seems that everyone is so keen to label themselves (and others) all the time, and people don’t want to be, or be seen as, complex individuals but a set of labels with more and more complicated user instructions attached…

    • Tiina L
      Author
      1 April 2021 / 12:02 pm

      I think the last year has changed my attitude quite a lot. And by that I mean it has made me lazy: I don’t bother changing my clothes just to go shopping in the local supermarket. Or to go for a walk. Or… Oh well, I guess it’s all downhill from here, huh?

  3. Lise
    31 March 2021 / 4:16 pm

    Cool trousers!

  4. 1 April 2021 / 5:14 pm

    Your lounge wear looks good enough to wear out. Like the stripes. Jacqui x

    • Tiina L
      Author
      9 April 2021 / 1:51 pm

      Thanks, Jacqui!

  5. q
    2 April 2021 / 11:40 am

    I’d not feel okay wearing formal shirt and trousers for errands, but the same applies to all loungewear items outfit also. That latter has a lot to do with the fact, that my loungewear tend to be somewhat worn-out and may not have the best fit. But on the other hand I’ve always had a lot of items in my wardrobe that can be mixed. Like I wear (or wore) some t-shirts with formal jacket to go to office and the same t-shirts are equally wearable with joggers at home. So basically most of my wardrobe is neat enough for errands but mostly used for lounging at home. But there are also many items that are only fit for lounging at home. So no, I’d not use that kind of loungewear as streetwear. Hyvää pääsiäistä sinulle Tiina! -q

    • Tiina L
      Author
      9 April 2021 / 2:01 pm

      I got rid of all of those old, worn out clothes when we moved. I always thought I had a rather small wardrobe, but there was still a lot to get rid of… Anyway, with so little storage space, I thought that every item in my wardrobe should earn its place, and make me feel good wearing them. And now that I’ve been spending so much time at home, I’ve been upgrading my loungewear, and I happily mix and match everything now.

  6. 4 April 2021 / 12:25 am

    This looks like such a comfy outfit! I think my loungewear would not work as streetwear – I don’t have any specifically purchased loungewear really! It’s all old clothes that are no longer appropriate to be worn outside, haha! Like the tee that got destroyed when I washed it after thrifting it, still works for loungewear inside my house though! Or skirts where the elastic is starting to go and could lead to an embarrassing moment outside, but work inside, haha!

    Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! Hope that you have a lovely Easter Sunday 🙂

    • Tiina L
      Author
      9 April 2021 / 2:04 pm

      I like to get loungewear that could double as streetwear. Or that I could wear to work without anyone realising that it’s actually loungewear. Does that make sense? So, I have striped nighties that could pass for a dress, for example. It’s practical. And comfortable.

  7. shelbeeontheedge1
    5 April 2021 / 1:40 pm

    I am right there with you, Tiina! If I have to fit into a box, I don’t want to play that game either! I prefer to sometimes visit certain boxes, but I do exist primarily between the boxes…where the cool people live! Haha I also am not into slapping labels on every damn thing we think and believe. Why can’t we just be?! That being said, I really like your mix of stripes in this comfortable loungey or errandy outfit! Thanks for linking with me!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina L
      Author
      9 April 2021 / 2:04 pm

      ‘Between boxes’, yes, that’s a good place to be. And you’re right: that’s what cool people do.

  8. 13 November 2023 / 11:54 pm

    Loungewear or Streetwear? Your blog perfectly explores the style dilemma! Thanks for the insights – now I’m ready to seamlessly blend comfort with street-ready vibes.

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