Vancouver Vogue: 6 Ways to Elevate Your Casual Style Game

While I love to dress up (often more than the dress code requires), there are days that I'd rather throw on a comfy pair of pants and a good ol' sweatshirt and call it a day. I work from home, so there is hardly ever a requirement to wear anything beyond that or a pair of pyjamas. While there is nothing wrong with bumming around in a pair of old PJs or sweats at home, I do yearn for the kind of style that Olivia Pope from the TV show Scandal exudes: a sort of luxurious laid back style that looks incredibly chic and put together, yet oh-so-comfy. Think clothing you can comfortably lounge around in at home, but would also proudly strut around in outside. Seems like an impossibility, no?

Over the years, I've found some small ways to tweak my casual outfits to make them a little more put-together: outfits that can easily go from lounging on the couch to brunch out with the girls in seconds. For me, the way I dress has an affect on how I feel, and these little tweaks definitely make me feel a whole lot more ready to take on the day!

If you're in a rut, give some of these a try, to up your casual outfit game:

Switch out your plain old sweatshirt for a graphic sweatshirt. I found this one at Dynamite. I also love Brunette The Label's chic sweatshirts. Don't forget the half-tuck. I swear, this will make your outfit look effortlessly chic. Instead of leaving the sweatshirt out, tuck only the very front into your pants, leaving the rest to drape around your waist.
Upgrade from sweatpants to chic drawstring/jogger pants. These pants are everywhere right now! They look far better than sweatpants, yet are still super soft, and have a comfortable drawstring waist. Pants with elastic or a fold/roll at the ankles will make them look even more polished (no fabric dragging on the floor).
Accessorize with a statement necklace. Statement necklaces like this one from Nobis & Grey will immediately glam up the look of a casual sweatshirt or t-shirt.
Heels dress everything up. Obviously, I'm not trying to say that heels are casual and overly comfy. However, if you're looking for a super quick way to make your casual outfit a tad dressier (say, for last minute brunch plans), then this is an easy fix.
Big cat-eye sunglasses make everything better. It's the magic of sunglasses. They have the ability to elevate your look in seconds. I feel like part of it is the mysteriousness it gives us, hiding our eyes...or maybe it's because it makes us feel like a celebrity dodging the paparazzi. Whatever it is, a good pair of cat-eye sunnies are a great accessory for dressing up your look.
A swipe of red lipstick. One of the hottest beauty trends right now is a simple, barely-there makeup look with a bold red lip. It just so happens this is also my go-to when I'm leaving the house for errands and want to look a little more polished. No eye makeup needed (especially with those sunglasses on), just a swipe of your favourite red.