Home clothes don't have to be shabby
By Samantha Critchell
Associated Press
NEW YORK — The best gift might be the one that comes after all the holiday hubbub: a chance to relax. That might mean no makeup, no high heels, lots of leftovers.
But when it comes to at-home clothes, there is a difference — a not-so-subtle one — between slobbish and chic.
Designer Eileen Fisher starts every outfit with a pair of slim pants with stretch fibers, and they're almost always black.
"This gives me movement. They're washable. And they're always elegant and versatile."
She then usually puts on a sweater since "they go everywhere today." Her top sweater silhouette for this winter is a modern turtleneck she calls a "scrunch," which has a fairly wide neck but isn't quite a cowl.
"When you're trying on clothes, dance in the dressing room. Sit. Walk. Stretch. Make sure they move."
Also, Fisher says, concentrate on finding great pieces that work with each other, not finding a single outfit that can't be adapted for multiple purposes.
Donna Karan launched her DKNY Pure collection, which includes clothes and home accessories, two years ago to suit an entire lifestyle. She wanted it to represent a calming, cozy weekend at the beach and have a lived-in feeling.
She says she likes to bundle up at home with a cashmere throw. But don't go so far as to eat, sleep and play in the same years-old sweatshirt.
A sweater set, especially one in a cotton-Lycra blend, might be the most versatile item in a woman's wardrobe because it looks polished, yet it's easy to wear and it can go in the washing machine.
The sweater coat that is so popular this season also wraps one in comfort and high style but here's one that can't be worn too tight, Kate Rice, style adviser for California-based retailer Mervyn's, advises. "If you're a small, get a medium. The most universal length is just above the knee. If you get the right size, you get a sleek, smooth line. Too fitted is a problem because it grabs at both the bottom and the chest."
Rice's other tip is "buy Lycra."
"It's not too tight, it adjusts to your shape and it requires little maintenance."
