My Elevated Off-Duty Outfits Rival My Workwear Rotation
Here's my secret to polished weekend looks.
My closet is essentially bilingual. It speaks fluent boardroom—sharp tailoring, luxe accessories, everything considered—and then when the weekend hits, it slips into a softer dialect. Think: cotton, cashmere, and elastic waistbands. The trick is that the latter version never feels like I’ve let myself go; I’m as edited in sweats as I am in a blazer, and that’s the key to pulling off the perfect off-duty outfit.
During the week, I’m juggling investor meetings, Zoom calls, events, and dinners. On the weekends, I’m chasing my toddler through the farmer’s market, padding across the house to make my third coffee at home (don’t judge!), and doing Montessori drop-off. The uniforms may change, but the thesis doesn’t—I want pieces that feel intentional and make it easy for me to get dressed in the morning, no matter the agenda.
Rather than dive into my workwear, I want to share the pieces that do the less glamorous, more honest work: my off-duty uniforms. The looks that see the first coffee, the last meltdown, and the errand I absolutely did not budget time for. There are three outfits I reach for on repeat throughout the week, each complete with pieces that make them feel like intentional looks, not afterthoughts.
Saturday: Farmer’s Market and Family Breakfast
Saturdays are sacred in our house. We go to the farmer’s market first thing. After foraging for our usual berries, eggs, and hummus, we pop into the local cafe for a breakfast burrito and my favorite omelette. I’m either carrying a baby, pushing a stroller, hauling produce, or spilling my coffee (likely all at the same time), so this look puts in work.
On top, I typically opt for a great long-sleeve tee—it has to be thin enough to tuck in neatly, and fall just so to be figure-hugging and flattering. On the bottom, I’ve been loving a straight-leg legging. I’ll then throw on a cinched windbreaker, slip on a pair of sunnies, and slick back my hair into a clean-girl bun. My bag is a cute fanny pack because hands-free is the way to go on days like these, for obvious reasons.
Sunday: A Cozy Day In
Left to my own devices, my perfect Sunday is embarrassingly simple: coffee, no hard plans, a playlist (lately, a lot of Hermanos Gutiérrez), and kids playing within a reasonable radius. I’m not dressing for anyone but myself and my family, but I still want to catch a glimpse in the hallway mirror and think, okay, cute.
This is where my matching sets earn their keep. I’ve been loving a soft Artless set: a subtle boatneck top, alongside a soft, flattering pair of pants (an elastic waistband is key). I like proportions that feel a little editorial, even at home—a bit of collarbone peeking through, and the perfect amount of slouch to read and feel effortless.
Monday: Pilates Class to School Drop-off
If you see me on a weekday morning, there’s a good chance I’m in a black workout set. It’s my Swiss Army knife of outfits: perfect for a Pilates class, totally fine for school dropoff, and, if I play my cards right, passable for my morning Zoom calls.
Because the look is so simple and casual, it runs the risk of erring on the side of lazy, so the quality and fit of the base set is paramount. I always opt for black—it reads intentional and polished. Over that, I’ll layer a cozy knit. The socks are key, too; I know that sounds silly, but a luxurious sock elevates the whole look instantly. A cool pair of sneakers ties everything together and ensures the look feels sporty, while a luxe tote in an interesting colorway (mine is black-and-white colorblock) that just barely fits my laptop (not too big, please!) keeps things elevated.
