What Is "Self-Care" Clothing, You Ask? These 20 Comfy-Chic Buys Spell It Out

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(Image credit: @jordanrisa)

At long last, 2020 is coming to a close (finally) but hasn't it also felt like we've lived a million years in the last twelve months? I know I'm not alone when I say that it's been one of the most challenging and enduring years but it's also given me a lot of time to think, reflect, and ultimately, grow as a person. One thing that's become so much more important to me? Self-care. Whether your definition involves booking a fancy massage or simply going on a walk, self-care has taken on a whole new meaning this year and so has the comfortable-chic clothing that goes hand-in-hand with it.

I'm talking about the live-in-them-24/7 sweatpants and the slippers that feel like you're walking on clouds—aka the loungewear staples that have felt like the embodiment of self-care this year. To uncover more of these comfy-cool buys, I tapped a number of stylish ladies who inspire both my outfits and my mindset. Including stylists, buyers, and wellness experts, continue on to discover their cozy fashion favorites and what self-care means to them.

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Chloe Pierre, digital creator and founder of Thy.Self
(Image credit: @chloepierreldn)

Chloe's go-to self-care strategy: "For me, it's knowing when to switch off and testing out new ideas of self-care alongside things that work. So I will prepare my bedtime outfit before running a bath with Epsom salts and vinegar (helps with my skin condition), before lighting a Thy.Self candle or one from a local business I am supporting and ensuring that I meditate in the bath for at least 5 mins before getting out of it."

How her definition of it has changed this year: "As someone who works in the wellness industry, my understanding of self-care continuously grows via experiences and conversations I have with a variety of wonderful people. Self-care to me is taking action and making this a consistent practice in order to benefit and fulfill yourself emotionally, spiritually, and then physically."

Shop her comfy picks:

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Jordan-Risa Santos, social media consultant and content creator
(Image credit: @jordanrisa)

Jordan's go-to self-care strategy: "One thing that instantly helps me unwind is a good book. Nothing takes my mind off things like being transported through the pages of a really good story. A walk to get some fresh air is always nice, too!"

How her definition of it has changed this year: "When a friend asked me what I do for self-care recently, I had to look it up because I honestly wasn't sure how I was taking care of myself, especially this year. Self-care by definition is "the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health; the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress." And yes - it definitely has changed this year, with the pandemic, election, and racial injustice at the forefront in this country. All of those things have resulted in periods of unhappiness and stress so I had to ask myself what *I* can do about it. I can learn, I can find resources to share, I can find ways to take action. And that's what's made me happy. Knowing that I was working towards positive change. That felt like self-care to me this year."

Shop her comfy picks:

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Michelle Li, fashion editor and stylist
(Image credit: @himichelleli)

Michelle's go-to self-care strategy: "Going on a long run is what instantly helps me unwind. I have a very specific route along the river that just automatically clears my mind or takes my mind off of things. I was never a runner until this year and it's been an outlet for me to get all of my anxious energy out."

How her definition of it has changed this year: "I think it means indulging in yourself without feeling guilty. I think it's changed this year in the ways that I indulge and just be me. I no longer overthink things, I just do what I want and give myself (or carve out) the space to do what I need to do."

Shop her comfy picks:

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Telsha Anderson, owner and buyer, t.a.
(Image credit: @telshaanderson)

Telsha's go-to self-care strategy: "My go-to self-care strategy is as cliche as it gets, pampering! Self-care for me involves including myself in activities where I can't use my hands so I'm not tempted to check my email and in turn getting my nails done is that go-to, it also takes a solid two hours out of my day. I also love binging different TV series late at night, I just finished The Undoing with my family and watched it in one day."

How her definition of it has changed this year: "My definition of self-care hasn't changed so much as it has now become more important than ever. Self-care is continuing to keep yourself a top priority in the midst of everything happening in the world and aligning yourself with positive energy and understanding. When running a business, it's easy to become consumed with generating revenue or building a social presence, and oftentimes taking care of yourself is left last on the list. During quarantine, I began to take 30–40 minutes per day just for Telsha, and that's a routine I carried outside of quarantine and once the store opened in July."

Shop her comfy picks:

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Bianca Valle, holistic nutritionist and artist
(Image credit: @vbiancav)

Bianca's go-to self-care strategy: "I love music. Listening to a song can completely change my mood! I have felt this since I was a little girl."

How her definition of it has changed this year: "My definition changed about two years ago when I realized, after lots of money spent, you cannot buy wellness. I had to learn the hard way, that wellness was doing the inner work, making choices best for your mind, body, and soul. I now listen to my own gut and my gut only."

Shop her comfy picks:

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Anna LaPlaca, associate editor, Who What Wear
(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

My go-to self-care strategy: A quick 10-minute meditation. In theory, I would be able to do this every day, but the reality is that it's more often on the weekends when I'm less busy. When I am able to though, it's a game-changer for staying focused and present in the rest of my day.

How my definition of it has changed this year: I used to think of self-care as some sort of luxury that I had to work hard to deserve, like booking an expensive facial for instance, but if this year has taught me anything, it's that taking time to do things that bring me back to myself is actually a necessity and not luxury. It looks different for everyone, but for me, it's all about doing things that remind me who I am outside of life on the internet—whether it's setting down my phone, having a long conversation with a friend, or doing some journaling.

Shop my comfy picks:

Next up: 6 winter loungewear trends that are promising to be huge.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.