If you're completely over wearing sweatpants every day, I completely feel your pain. Although I love a comfy casual look, I've been yearning for a chic yet practical alternative to my baggy sweats and oversized t-shirts. Not that I don't love a matching sweatsuit, but every now and then a girl needs to pull out that 'feel good' outfit, even at home. As life on the outside is slowly reopening in most areas, some of us are not fully prepared to embrace normal everyday constricting outfits quite yet. At the beginning of the sweeping stay-at-home orders, I raced to get my hands on the most comfortable at-home staples I could find. Now that we're entering a new year, I'm ready for alternatives that still meet my everyday needs without making me look and feel frumpy.
As we slowly transition back to everyday ready-to-wear looks, I am now in the market for stylish pieces perfect for both staying in and going out. The new anti-sweat trend has arrived, meeting all of our needs when it comes to elevated comfort and style. Comfortably worn at home, luxury loungewear is solving our stay-at-home fatigue, smoothly moving us towards sleek all-day looks you'll never want to take off. If you're in need of sophisticated loungewear ideas, scroll to find a few of my favorite looks!
Feather Duster
This champagne feather duster is the perfect embellished silk house coat. Perfect for staying in or going out, this is a super chic addition to your luxury leisure looks. I'm obsessed with this color as it's a soft rendition of an elevated at-home look featuring a low v-neckline, button-down detailing, and an unforgettable feather back and sleeve detail.
Satin Separates
Perfect for a winter beach getaway, this is a 90's inspired three-piece look we all need in our lives. With "its lightweight material flowy enough for summer and its heavy-weight drape made for year-round-luxuriating," this is the perfect go-to satin look. Achieve this look with the Laina Rauma satin bikini along with the matching pajama pants and long sleeve oversized button-down.
Geometric Prints
It's all about the dramatic sleeves for me in this floral print kimono robe. Nothing is more relaxing than a silky kimono and fresh linen sheets on the perfect Sunday afternoon. Doubled as a dress, this is perfect when in need of a touch of luxury in your life.
Kimono Dress
It's all about the dramatic sleeves for me in this floral print kimono robe. Nothing is more relaxing than a silky kimono and fresh linen sheets on the perfect Sunday afternoon. Doubled as a dress, this is perfect when in need of a touch of luxury in your life.
Luxe Pajama Set
Satin is always a major look especially when worn as a casual outfit. Whether lounging around the house or out and about, it's always a major vibe. When outside the house, pair a satin two-piece with a vintage-inspired shoulder bag and a bold cat eye sunny for an outdoor sophisticated look.
Satin Feathers
The 'Party Pajamas' set is perfect for a weekend escape to Martha's Vineyard or lounging on your back patio. One of the most iconic PJ sets on the internet, this is a major look for the modern fashionista. Pair with a house slipper or flat loafer for a comfy chic outfit.
Cardigan Dress
Undeniably elegant, I'm obsessed with this oversized knit. The Hanifa brand has managed to perfect the balance of chic versatility transforming this classic style into a cozy chic staple every woman needs in her closet. Designed to complement your waist and natural curves, its classic wrap dress design is meant for everyday comfort and flawless style.
Satin Robe
We all love the perfect robe to prance around the house but the robe to wear on a night out is revolutionary. 2020 has shown us that functionality and style can coexist within our day to night looks. Make this look your own with a clutch and jeweled pump for an elegant twist on a classic silhouette.
Velour Set
The Velour tracksuit is yet again taking over the mainstream leisure world with a major upgrade. Whether you have outings to attend or have a comfy luxe moment at home, the oversized velvet look is perfect for an updated yet throwback early 2000's look. Super soft and draping, this is another look you'll never want to take off.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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Featured image by Soul Brother/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock