Written by Lauren Di Bartolo (Founder of Australian Style Institute).
Originally published on Fashion Journal.
Because sweatpants deserve better.
Call it the ‘pandemic effect’ or just a collective revelation but we’ve all learnt one thing: comfort is non-negotiable. Yet somehow, so is looking like you’ve got your life together. The tricky part? Making sweatpants look like a choice, not a cry for help.
That’s where styling comes in, not to overcomplicate your life but to add just enough intention. The difference between comfortable and ‘can’t be bothered’ is about 90 seconds’ worth of tucking, rolling, accessorising, and actually looking in the mirror. That’s it. And when you need a boost or a pivot, 90 seconds can be all it takes to look and feel better. Below are six tweaks (plus a truth) that’ll have you looking polished without compromising on comfort.
Add a third piece and make it structured
This is the stylist’s secret weapon and this time of year is the perfect time to try it. If you’re wearing a tracksuit, yoga pants or your trusty jeans and tee, you need a third, fourth or even fifth piece, something that adds a bit of shape, texture or interest. Think a sharp blazer, a tailored trench, a structured knit or even a printed neckerchief or scarf.
A matching tracksuit under a trench is nothing new but it’s a Princess Diana-coded classic that won’t date. And if you’ve ever wondered why WardrobeNYC keeps repeating the ‘could be a yoga-pant’ + white tee + blazer + knit + cap look, it’s because it works.
Adding structure tells the world this outfit wasn’t an accident, you chose it. In a world focused on output, we often skip on adding layers but it’s the first step to changing the dimension of your outfit and taking it from ‘off the rack’ to considered.
Cuff, roll, or push up
Somewhere between WFH and brunch culture, we became allergic to anything too tight, stiff, or too serious. And honestly? Fair enough. But here’s the catch: comfort without styling looks like… well, comfort without styling. This is another small tweak that makes a big difference: Roll up your sleeves, cuff your jeans, push your sweater sleeves to the elbow – these tiny adjustments create clean, deliberate lines that give your outfit shape and energy.
It also opens up space to showcase jewellery, a watch, or even just your forearms, all of which make you look more styled without adding anything new. If you can scroll TikTok for 40 minutes, you can tuck your sweater and roll your sleeves. Did I just channel my mum?
The (half) tuck
This one feels almost silly in its simplicity but it works. Whether it’s a knit, a button-down or even a hoodie, a little tuck at the front (or to the side) instantly creates shape and makes the proportions of your outfit look intentional. It also shows off your waistline without fully committing to fitted clothing and helps balance oversized pieces. Yes, even with sweats. Try it.
Shoes matter, maybe the most
You don’t have to wear heels but you also don’t need to wear your oldest sneakers. The easiest way to change the tone of an outfit is to style it with unexpected footwear. Yes, we’ve all learned how to tone down the formality of an outfit with trainers but the same can be done in reverse. Instead of sweats with a sneaker, try a loafer. Add colour with socks or tights. Intentional shoes change the tone completely.
Layer with texture
If you’re keeping the silhouette simple, bring polish in through fabrics. Think wool over cotton, linen over polyester, satin instead of jersey. Texture adds depth, colour variation and interest without adding fuss.
Grooming above everything else
You can nail every one of these styling tweaks but if your grooming isn’t on point, the illusion falls apart. This doesn’t mean a full face or an elaborate blowout but clean, tidy hair, hydrated skin, a swipe of gloss or balm, and a signature fragrance go a long way.
Psychologically, we interpret grooming or polish as a signal of competence, confidence and respect (for yourself and others). It’s what researchers call the enclothed cognition effect – what you wear affects how others see you and how you see yourself. Polish is less about the clothes and more about the overall impression you leave, so grooming is non-negotiable if you want to feel good.
When you feel like you’ve taken some time to take charge of your grooming, you’ll present better, communicate with more confidence and not let an internal monologue about what someone else might be thinking take hold.
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Lauren Di Bartolo is a fashion stylist and human behaviour expert based in Melbourne. An industry innovator and founder of Australian Style Institute, she has spent decades observing the relationship between people and their clothes. She’s a regular contributor to Fashion Journal, answering our burning style questions in her monthly column.
