Fabulous dressing for Phase 3 excursions
What to wear when you head out into the world
I’d like to give huge thanks to sweatpants.
With Phase 3 of Massachusetts’ re-opening upon us, and places like gyms, museums and theaters welcoming guests with social distancing and mask-wearing measures in place, we finally have a reason to wear something other than sweatpants. (Or yoga pants, our pajamas, etc.) Loungewear has gotten us through a lot over the last several months, and I’ll never take it for granted again.
In fact, even after I get home from wearing something a little dressier for, say, an afternoon out at the art museum, or a dinner date at one of the city’s restaurant patios, I’ll still be looking forward to putting on something cozy and comforting.
But now that we have a few more options about where to go and what to do, that means we get to expand our fashion horizons, too. So here are just a few ideas of what to wear when you do venture out.
For a spin through the ICA:
Asking visitors to reserve tickets ahead of time on its website, and requiring guidelines like wearing masks and limiting capacity to avoid crowding, museums like the Institute of Contemporary Art are opening their doors to satisfy our need to soak up some cultural ideas and inspiration. But what to wear? One of my favorite, forward-thinking designers, Alice + Olivia, is just the thing. The Arden Pleated Midi Skirt (currently on sale for $198 on saksfifthavenue.com) is a visual feast. It has just the right vibe for the outing — comfy but cool, graphic, and as contemporary as any exhibit in the museum’s halls.
For a visit to The Children’s Museum: Also askflattering ing visitors to reserve tickets in advance through the website and follow guidelines, the general public can start visiting July 22. Moms like me will be thrilled to pull on easy, functional, stylish pieces that look amazingly feminine but still let me dash about to keep the kids together and following all the new rules. I’m partial to stuff like the Riva Dress from Splendid ($148 on splendid.com) — a cool tie-dye design.
The dog days of summer:
By late July and August, we’re going to be hot almost constantly. So go all in for some super cute shorts that are airy but still have some structure, like the paperbag-design and sweet gingham pattern of Topshop’s Seersucker Gingham Shorts ($40 on nordstrom.com). It’s perfect paired with a simple, loose solid top like the black Whisper Cotton V-Neck Tank by Madewell ($18.50 on nordstrom.com) and a white toss-over like the Two by Vince Camuto Denim Jacket ($99 on nordstrom.com), for when the evening gets a little chilly.
Out to dinner: Whether you’re headed to one of the outdoor tables at Uni at the Eliot Hotel in Back Bay, or the sprawling patio tables under an umbrella at The Beehive in the South End, having someone else cook our dinner has been one of the things so many of us have most missed. So this is “nice dress” territory — pretty sundresses like Free People’s Adella Lace Maxi Dress ($76-$128 at macys.com), a full-on boho look made romantic thanks to details like a lace bodice and frilly hem. Or, on the glam side, there’s Parlour’s Tie-Front Midi Dress ($218 on intermix.com), a dramatic halter number with a sexy tie on the midriff that nods to Hollywood red carpet moments.
For a sweat at the gym:
The air-conditioned environments of many indoor gyms can definitely be a relief compared to outdoors in the summer heat. When comfortable returning to your gym, there’s currently a slew of swanky workout wear out there that will be just pure fun to put on and sweat in. Example: The Speed Up Short Long 4-inch Updated Fit ($58 on lululemon.com). Whether you’re running outside or on a treadmill, the highly