View Full Version : Do you wear scruffy clothes at home?
I have been thinking about the clothes i wear at home. I have to look decent at work but at home I tend to wear things which are almost worn out or which I don't think are nice enough to be seen out in. So far, so frugal, but unfortunately it means that DH usually sees me wearing my worst stuff and I don't feel very good about how I look at home which is a bit depressing. Yesterday I bought a new cardigan half price at ASDA (£8) - it is wonderful deep blue with sparkly bits and I have decided to wear it at home instead of adding it to my work wardrobe. I wore it last night and really enjoyed feeling that I looked nice. I think I will try to develop a budget home wardrobe from charity shops so that I can feel a bit more attractive when my hubby is around. Should be quite a fun project.
What do you all do about this?
Tussiemussies
2-19-13, 4:58pm
Hi dog mom, I have been doing the same thing and lately had the same thought so in the AM I put on my makeup and get dressed in nice clothes that aren't my very best clothing but nice. This way when DH sees me it not always in my work around the house clothing and no makeup or hair fixed. He always looks nice when he comes home from work...
Mrs. Hermit
2-19-13, 5:00pm
Since I work at home (writer and grad student), I try to look nice at home. Hubs appreciates it. And it makes a difference in how I view myself and my work. I try to look nice enough to not be embarrassed if someone stops by or I have to run out.
Clothes? My daughter came by unexpectedly today when I was working, I had to go find a pair of pants to put on :-)
Gardenarian
2-19-13, 5:06pm
Well, yes, but I like my scruffy clothes! They are usually well-loved t-shirts, yoga pants, sweats that i got because I like the colors and the fit was flattering. Once they get too ragged for work, they become my at home clothes - worn, but still lovable.
Dh is used to seeing my in every sort of disarray - just part of who I am.
I used to wear scruffy clothes at home and one day went to the door of a friend to drop off some material. His wife came to the door looking so neat and well put together that I resolved that day never to come to the door of our house looking less than neat and tidy.
I was surprised at how this choice boosted my personal sense of morale and confidence each day.
Scruffy but I always shower, have my hair pulled up or back nicely and wear mascara and my toes are always painted.
i had to change up my wardrobe. i had a guy from salvation army offer me free diapers for my kids once at the post office. i politely refused and left in the 2 year old camry.
i guess i dressed like a bum. my coat was at least 8 years old and full of holes and safety pins though.
I wear kind of scruffy clothes, period...(see the February Peeves thread I started today). I work in a deli so I don't have to get dressed up for work and it just spills over to the rest of my life. However, I am going to the Aveda Beauty School tomorrow to get my hair done finally. Trim, conditioning and coloring. I realized recently that it has been since May 2012 since the last trim, and I've let the color go since early December...I do not feel very lovely these days; perhaps this will help.
It depends on what I am doing. Gardening, cleaning out the garage, or washing the van--old, scruffies. But generally around the house I wear slacks and a pullover sweater. I don't wear make-up anytime. I don't own any dresses.
No scruffy clothes here. I like to feel good about myself, and that means dressing in presentable attire, no matter the occasion. I'm not saying that I wear fashionable clothing in the house or when outside doing gardening, etc, just that the stuff I wear doesn't have missing buttons, is stained, frayed, etc.
My day starts with a shower... from there I go straight for the coffee!
P.S. A warm welcome to our home, Dogmom! Hope to see you become a permanent fixture like so many of us have!
If I'm painting or digging in the dirt, I wear pretty scruffy clothes. Otherwise, no. If I'm not going out for the day I might, however, be attired in yoga pants and a fleece sweater. Comfy cleaning and writing clothes.
Wildflower
2-20-13, 5:32am
If I'm gardening or cleaning the house I wear older clothes that I don't mind getting dirty. Otherwise, I am always clean, and my clothes are clean and presentable. I'm a very casual person and I like the natural look for me, so showering and only moisturizer on face, lips, and hands, is all I do when I stay home or go out.... I wear the same earrings, wedding ring and anniversary band everyday too. That's just me. >8)
Blackdog Lin
2-20-13, 9:18am
I don't think I wear "scruffy" clothes, but neither do I get dressed up in any way. Like Mrs. M above, I don't wear stained or torn or safety-pinned items. My everyday look is casual, but decent enough to run to town for errands without changing. Jeans with a sweatshirt or flannel (winter) and long shorts with a tee or button-down (summer).
One thing I found Re: old clothing... whenever I accumulated old ratty stuff, I tended to add to the old, rather than keep it lean, and before long, my old collection would snowball out of control, so I have changed the way I select and stow old clothing now.
Only comfortable clothing here....no makeup and hair pulled back, shower every day :)
I don't like worn out clothes. I keep one t-shirt and pair of jeans that is strictly for painting and those are packed with the paint supplies.
I keep a scruffy pair of shoes outside the back door for yard chores but my normal jeans and t-shirt are what I wear working in the yard.
Even after all my talk and ordering 2 pair of yoga pants......I've never worn them. I already moved one pair to the donate bag. They just seemed too casual and sloppy to me.
My 'uniform' of jeans, t-shirt, sweater, and boots is just my comfort level.
Mighty Frugal
2-20-13, 1:43pm
As soon as I get home from work I wash off my makeup and put on my pjs..oops:|(
I guess it's not such an awesome look, but I like to be comfortable!
On weekends I wear a little makeup, and nice casual clothes-jeans or leggings and sweater or long sleeve t-shirt
Summer is better. I can wear loose short breezy sundresses. But winter time I am just a ball of fleece!
. But winter time I am just a ball of fleece!
Love it!!
Simplicity
2-20-13, 1:47pm
I had to laugh on Valentine's Day. DH came home from work and said "Gee look at you all dolled-up!" The funny part? I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt! lol I guess all he ever sees me in are jammies and scruffy work clothes. :D
I wear scruffy clothes at home and save my nicer ones for errands and leaving the house. I'm a spiller. If I wear nice clothes around the house, they will invariably be stained. DH is the same way, so that probably helps.
treehugger
2-20-13, 2:20pm
As soon as I get home from work I wash off my makeup and put on my pjs..oops:|(
Me, too! But I don't consider that an oops. Comfort in my own house is important to me since it's my sanctuary. My lounge clothes/pjs (I don't actually wear them to sleep in) aren't scruffy, but they aren't outdoor-appropriate either. And I am pretty sure my husband still loves me, respects me, and is attracted to me. ;) I do not put on makeup on stay-at-home days, either, and simply cannot imagine the desire to do so.
This is definitely one of those "to each her own" topics.
Kara
I pretty much wear the same thing at home as I do when I am out - workout type clothes - yoga pants or shorts, tee-shirt or tank top, tennis shoes, and a jacket or hoodie. No make up or jewelry either on most days. They are clean (at least when I put them on in the morning) and other then some fading from repeated washings, aren't too tattered or scruffy (no holes or stains or major fraying). However, since I leave my house early in the morning and spend all day away from home doing various workouty kinds of things (run, hike, kayak, bike ride, gym, play sports, etc...) thru out the day, with stops at other places like the library (where I'm at now slightly sweaty and disheaveled), store, etc... inbetween, I do get really dirty and sweaty. So I often carry some wet wipes and a clothes change so I'm not too scruffy and sweaty in public places. When I get home I walk the dog then shower and change into PJ's. I'm single (but dressed the same at home and when out when I was married too) so unless I have a dress-up type of date or am going "out on the town" with friends, I generally dress way, way down most days. I do have very scruffy clothes to do chores in - like mow the lawn, paint, work on the car, etc... and they are pretty beat up and wouldn't wear them in public.
At home I like to be comfy, so in the winter it's sweats and summer it's shorts and a t-shirt. I never wear sweats out of the house so mine are all baggy-kneed and droopy-bummed from curling up on the couch. Can't stand wearing non-stretchy clothes when I want to be comfortable.
Home is the place to be yourself; if I want to wear baggy clothes, put my hair up and be bare-faced, I'll do it. At the moment I have a cold and have been wearing sweats and my LL Bean shearling slippers every day while I've been home from work. Can't get much more comfy than this.
Gardenarian
2-20-13, 4:42pm
No scruffy clothes here. I like to feel good about myself, and that means dressing in presentable attire, no matter the occasion. I'm not saying that I wear fashionable clothing in the house or when outside doing gardening, etc, just that the stuff I wear doesn't have missing buttons, is stained, frayed, etc.
Mrs. M - I do lots of mending, and won't wear things with missing buttons, holes, hems falling down. I do some creative patching, though!
These are all very interesting replies. I'm definitely in the comfort camp when it comes to homewear and clean is a must too. I thinkI will downgrade some of my stuff for housework/gardening, get rid of some of the really manky stuff and buy a few nicer low cost tops for when I'm relaxing with DH. Then I won't have to get in a panic about how I look if the neighbours drop round unexpectedly in the evening!
Yup, I wear comfy leggings & oversized men's cashmere sweaters I've found at GW! My latest fav combo is a pale lime green cashmere Land's End long pullover & chocolate brown leggings. I alternate that with lavender leggings & a dark grey collared v neck men's cashmere. If I get really cold, I toss on a handwoven wool or cashmere shawl. Can you tell I love cashmere? I find it all the time at thrift stores.
Mrs. M - I do lots of mending, and won't wear things with missing buttons, holes, hems falling down. I do some creative patching, though!LOL!
Winter is hoodies and flannel-lined jeans; summer is T-shirts (covered with cotton or hemp shirts when I go out since I don't wear bras) and jeans or calf-length pants. I wear hiking boots, but take them off indoors for slip-ons, so the hiking boots last longer (since they cost more). I don't go anywhere where I need to dress up more than that. And winter I wear a knit hemp cap on head for warmth inside and out, and in summer a bandana out because I don't want to mess with my hair more than once or twice a week.
Another vote for yoga pants, as far as what I pair with them is whatever I grab, t shirt in the summer, winter could be fleece, sweatshirt, or one of my Dad's flannel shirts, which is nice and oversize...I try to take my makeup off as soon as I get home...and sometimes it actually happens! I have no one to impress when I get home, though, as I swear the boy and the dog are blind 1/2 the time!
Both hubby and I dress for warmth and comfort at home in winter. We heat the living/dining/kitchen with a wood stove. The rest of the place is pretty cold. Long sleeved tees or thermal shirts under flannel shirts or fleece tops. The farther we are from the stove, the more the layers.
In summer since we do not have central air, we usually dress in t-shirts and shorts or cotton slacks. Since we are both fair-skinned we throw on a sun-proof shirts and slacks to garden and a big hats.
We're retired so we dress as we please. Our son refers to our manner of dress as "senior country casual".
Forum follower
2-23-13, 10:30pm
At home, I like comfort above all. My daily clothes are sweat pants, sweat shirts, and long sleeve t-shirts. After I've done my dirtiest yard work or house work in the morning, I shower, do my hair and put on clean sweats. I like feeling clean and somewhat groomed, just my clothes are scruffy. If I'm going out I'll put on jeans, t-shirt, jacket and comfortable boots. I do't have any desire to really dress up. I don't wear make up often, just foundation or blusher once in a while.
Heck, yes, it saves my good clothes! In the winter, it's yoga pants and 1-2 layered tops, depending on how cold it is (I keep the heat low). In the summer, it's cropped yoga pants and a t-shirt. I sleep in these, too. Two pairs of pants for cold weather, two pairs for warm weather. The tops I wear are generally t-shirts that are no longer "public" worthy, although I have three nice fleece mock-turtleneck tunics that are wonderful. It's all comfy and washable. It's just me, so it doesn't matter how I dress at home. I have an office job.
ETA: I don't go out of my place in my yoga pants, unless it's a VERY quick dash to pitch my trash in the dumpster! ;)
I wear scruffy clothes at home and save my nicer ones for errands and leaving the house. I'm a spiller. If I wear nice clothes around the house, they will invariably be stained. DH is the same way, so that probably helps.
I can soooo relate! I rarely cook in my "good" clothes. On the rare occasion I have someone over for a meal and I'm cooking while they're present, I have to be so careful. My search to find an apron that totally covers my, um, well-endowedness, has not been successful. :|(
Tussiemussies
3-2-13, 6:24pm
I do wear scruffy clothes at home but I want to change after my housework, fix my hair and put on my makeup so my husband sees me looking nice....the only times he sees me looking nice now is if we go somewhere which doesn't happen a lot! :)
I'm very casual. I do wear my scruffier things when I'm home by myself, cleaning and puttering. I do have nice clothes, but I prefer to keep them pristine and new looking as long as possible, even if they are casual. Of course, I change if I need to run errands to something casual, but attractive. I have much nicer things for more formal occasions, but I buy classic things that wear well and last a long time.
I also shower daily after my dirty chores and put on moisturizer! But I don't put makeup on daily...I do, if I've some where to go, but it's minimal.
i have a chronic illness so comfort is key for me. I also have quite a few pairs of very nice looking comfy Jammie's that I wear during the day when I'm feeling under weather.
Tussiemussies
3-2-13, 9:49pm
I'm very casual. I do wear my scruffier things when I'm home by myself, cleaning and puttering. I do have nice clothes, but I prefer to keep them pristine and new looking as long as possible, even if they are casual. Of course, I change if I need to run errands to something casual, but attractive. I have much nicer things for more formal occasions, but I buy classic things that wear well and last a long time.
I also shower daily after my dirty chores and put on moisturizer! But I don't put makeup on daily...I do, if I've some where to go, but it's minimal.
i have a chronic illness so comfort is key for me. I also have quite a few pairs of very nice looking comfy Jammie's that I wear during the day when I'm feeling under weather.
So sorry to hear Barbie that you have a chronic illness....christine
Going against (most of) the grain here, but no. Comfortable, yes. Casual, yes. Scruffy? No! I wear flattering yoga pants and nice looking comfortable stretch knit tops.
I have a ratty brown, hairy, oversized wool-blend thrifted sweater that keeps me warm and makes me look like a sasquatch. Neighbors tremble in fear.
http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/artists/just_cuz/JC_domowhack.gif
I'm dresed nicely at home except when I'm gardening and working outside.
early morning
3-9-13, 2:57pm
Clean, COMFORTABLE, but scruffy at home - that's me. I try to not wear terribly stained/torn items, but honest wear makes me smile. I change out of my work clothes as soon as I get home - I'm a very messy person and in no time at all, I'm wearing dinner or the project du jour - or mud from the trip to the barn, or chicken-muck, or muddy paw prints, or....
This is why nice clothing is not worn at home, unless company is expected and I'm not cooking. :|( And for those of you who dress up for their spouse, let me assure you that DH and I are well matched in this regard, lol.
Clean, COMFORTABLE, but scruffy at home - that's me. I try to not wear terribly stained/torn items, but honest wear makes me smile. I change out of my work clothes as soon as I get home - I'm a very messy person and in no time at all, I'm wearing dinner or the project du jour - or mud from the trip to the barn, or chicken-muck, or muddy paw prints, or....
This is why nice clothing is not worn at home, unless company is expected and I'm not cooking. :|( And for those of you who dress up for their spouse, let me assure you that DH and I are well matched in this regard, lol.
LOL Same in our house. My husband is still wearing a jumper his gran gave him when he was 12 (he's 53 now) - it's a bit worn but still going strong - good for another 20 years at least.
Remember when you used to come home from school and put on your play clothes? I still do - even though I wear jeans and tees to work - always freshly laundered and no tears, holes, etc - at home it's older, softer jeans or yoga pants (all bought at thrift stores).
I do have a painting outfit - spattered with every color I've painted over the past 10 years - I was outside painting windows last summer and my neighbor just laughed at me! All I could say was that they still fit 10 years later so HAH!!
Originally posted by Chrissieq.
Remember when you used to come home from school and put on your play clothes?Yes... I absolutely do! Changing out of our good clothes (school clothes) and into our play clothes, was the rule in our house. What a walk down memory lane!
BarbieGirl
3-13-13, 10:49pm
Thanks, Christine. It's not life threatening, just chronic. >8) And annoying!
BarbieGirl
3-13-13, 10:51pm
I have a ratty brown, hairy, oversized wool-blend thrifted sweater that keeps me warm and makes me look like a sasquatch. Neighbors tremble in fear.
http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/artists/just_cuz/JC_domowhack.gif
Lol, Jane! That's so funny!:0! :laff:
BayouGirl
3-13-13, 11:15pm
Since being laid off from the library (which was a joyful blessing for me) I invested in many cute sets of pajamas and mostly wear those. There isn't much point in dressing up when we live so far from anyone, and my office is my bed anyway, were i do my online writing for the content article company I work for. Then about 2 weeks out of the moth, I spend in the city with my elderly gram and we wear pajama all day long. We never have company anyway and we love being comfy and vegging out.
Yes, i will wear scruffy clothes at hom, especially when working outdoors, painting, working on my lil playhouse, etc.
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