I Let My Stylish Cousin Pick Out My Rehearsal Looks for a Week

And by "let", I mean I begged her for fashion help.

Sep 09, 2024

A few weeks ago, I found myself in a style rut while getting dressed for rehearsal. I thought I had hacked my rehearsal vibes last winter, but the combo of extreme summer heat and a MIGHTY air conditioning unit was starting to really throw me. Theater rehearsal schedules are 8 hours a day, 6 days a week—so what I wear during these seasons of my life really affects my mood.

It may come as no surprise to you at this point, but I am not the only person in my family who loves a personal style deep-dive. We enjoy getting dressed! And when I hit this specific style rut, there was only one person to call: my very stylish cousin, Claire.

She’s one of my best G’s and I love her so much!

Not only does she have great taste in fits (it’s giving effortless!), she is also an exceptionally beautiful, badass boss lady and fitness queen; has a great sense of humor; and is essentially the nicest person on the planet.

And so, Claire agreed to help me pick out my rehearsal outfits for the upcoming week over FaceTime, and thus delivered me from my personal style desert, right as it was hitting its peak [week 3 of 5 in the studio]. She also kindly let me record our conversation, so that you, too, might benefit from our athleisure laboratory. The outfit formulas we came up with are below! [I snipped up our conversation some for length, but this post is still long—here’s your warning to hit that “View In Browser” button.]

The Assessment:

Kristin: So, I’ve been feeling kind of meh about my rehearsal looks.

I was thinking about it, and one of my aspirational style words is “chic” or “elegant.” And I feel like that might be the element that’s missing right now in my rehearsal fits. It feels like a problem worth addressing, because right now, and for the next year, I’ll be living in these clothes, during warmups and understudy rehearsals. And, not that you know my wardrobe by heart, but you have the best fitness style of anybody that I know—

Claire: Wow. Way too kind.

K: No no, just facts.

C: Love.

K: Facts, no printer, as the youth used to say.

C: *cackling*

Snaps in the wild! On our way to an 80s/90s themed outdoor cardio class three years ago, C looking cute cute cute!

K: So I thought you could help me make…three?…outfits for the week.

C: Yes! I love that idea. And we want to lean into elegant and chic? Because we feel like those two are kind of missing right now?

K: Yeah. It’s a real challenge though, because I also don’t want to be overdressed in rehearsal. But I want to figure out, fitness-wise, how to get a chic element in there.

C: And are we talking about walking into rehearsal, and then you can take a piece off before you dance, or are we talking actual active movement?

K: Great question—so, every morning we have a warm up, in which I often get pretty sweaty. But then the rest of the day I’m getting up, sitting down, taking notes; I’m not always actively on my feet rehearsing. So I think adding and subtracting pieces is going to be how we do this. Keeping in mind that it’s hot right now, so this wouldn’t be with coats or jackets.

C: Right. So it’s funny you mention this because, when I went to pilates on Thursday, I had to improvise because I didn’t bring an athletic t-shirt or jacket. I had leggings, a sports bra, and a little tank, but it was kind of windy and cold, and I didn’t have any other [sporty] layers. But I wore that Old Navy cardigan we both have to work that day, so I put that over the whole thing, and it felt very chic. More elevated than wearing a zip up sweatshirt or like, I don’t know, a bigger, oversized T.

LOOK 1: We Try a Cardigan.

K: (holding it up) Here’s my Old Navy cardigan, lol—

C: Cute, exactly! And I’m really into a slick black and brown combo, so even if you do just black leggings, whatever sports bra, a white tank, and then your brown cardigan, I just think that’s so cute. And roll the cardigan up a little, so you can see your wrists.

K: Okay my white tank is in the laundry. Maybe black?

C: Yes. Black and brown is my favorite combo right now.

K: Okay, one moment while I find my pants. I don’t want to get super sweaty in these, so I’ll probably wear biker shorts underneath, and then I can swap to just the pants after warm ups. Ugh, I love these pants so much. And actually…let’s come back to the black tank, because I think with the brown cardigan I want to try this top—

Workout tank (in “bronze”), brown cardigan, black ribbed pants.

C: Yes! This whole outfit is a vibe.

K: So we have: fitness top, loose black pants, cardigan, and a possible biker short underneath.

C: Is that outfit number one?

K: Outfit one!

Formula 1: cropped fitness top + cardigan + loose black pants + white sneaker

Elevator selfie! A slightly more elevated fitness look, version 1.

A BRIEF INTERLUDE TO DISCUSS THE SHOE:

C: And you wear sneakers during rehearsal? What sneakers do you wear?

K: Yeah—actually the two pairs I’ve been wearing the most are my OnClouds, or my Nike Cortez. My lower back is being cranky, so we need—

C: We need full support—

K: Yeah we need support.

C: Let’s do a couple with whichever shoe is most supportive for your back.

K: Okay, we’ll make a few with the OnClouds. This is not an ad, but I love these sneakers so much—

C: You and mom both. She has an indoor pair and an outdoor pair.

K: Of course she does.

(We cackle like little witches.)

K: Your mom has good taste and so do I!

LOOK 2: Dressing for the Kicks

K: Okay, blue sneaks. Are we coming back to this black tank? And I still think we can experiment with the sweater.

C: I think we can too. Do you have a black cardigan?

K: Yeah, here— (holding it up)

C: I feel like with the blue tennies and a black tank, the black cardigan might be a little bit better.

K: I have the urge to try this with a sportier top than the tank, because I want the vibe-contrast with the cardigan.

C: You could do just the sports bra.

K: Okay, we’re going to start with this blue sports bra. I’m not going to wear just a sports bra in rehearsal all day, that’s not the vibe, but (putting the cardigan over the sports bra) this is kind of cute?—

C: Oh this is cute!

K: Let me see, if I have…so there’s this little blue top I could put over, which feels a little bit more like a shirt. So I’m not just wearing a bra to rehearsal, lol.

Blue sports bra and crop top, black cardi, black leggings, blue tennies.

C: Oh yeah, I love that.

K: And then the sweater over this feels a little bit more like sporty-plus-chic.

C: Yes, yes I agree. I like where this tank hits.

K: Do I look like you?

C: (laughing) Yes.

K: Werk.

C: Typically it’s me looking like you!

K: Werk! Wait, the other thing I could do instead of a cardigan is this—and make, like, a monochrome…moment…(getting my button up shirt off the hanger). Wow, this is fun!

C: This is so fun (laughing), I freaking love it.

K: This is giving fitness-professional. Lol. Okay this is done, this is a day. Number two!

C: Boom! So cute.

**1.) Once again, monochrome dressing to the rescue. 2.) A button up shirt is a freaking hero piece. 3.) The cropped top here, underneath an oversized shirt, is good for tension/balance.**

Formula 2, featuring a gentle monochrome moment: crop top + oversized button up + black leggings + tennies

K: Yeah. And you know what, because I’m seeing a show after rehearsal, I could just change the shoe here and probably get away with it.

Me later that night at The Play That Goes Wrong. I changed the shoe AND added this little denim number. Easy outfit swap!

K: Ugh, doing this now is so nice, because then I don’t have to think about—

C: —getting dressed this week.

K: Exacto.

LOOK 3: Real Pants but Not Hard Pants

K: Okay I have some cargo pants.

C: Oooooo.

K: I bought these last summer, and Eric thought it was so funny, that I came home with cargo pants. He asked me what I was going to put in all my pockets, ha. But actually I bought them for rehearsal! (Holding up the pants) I was rehearsing for a play, and I wanted real pants that I could still move in.

C: I love them. Cady Heron wore cargo pants and flip flops—

K: So I wore cargo pants…!

(more cackling)

K: Um, okay. There’s a couple things we could do here. But I think this is going to be the winner…(holding up a light grey fitness top)

C: I can already tell, I’m in. The monochromatic look, the pants, I’m there.

K: Yeah, cause the top is gray and the pants are brown, but it’s still kind of tonally a match—

Muted tones! Grey fitness top, brown cargo pants, light blue tennies.

C: No, Kristin, this looks—I think this is my favorite!

K: Werk fave!

C: Oh my god that looks really good.

K: I think we need to find a sweatshirt for this.

C: I was about to say you might get chilly, when you’re sitting out.

K: Adding the sweatshirt is hard, because sometimes the sweatshirt makes me feel frumpy. But the AC is really bumpin’ so it’s a requirement. (Putting on a cropped sweatshirt) this is not bad—

C: It’s not bad. Is that like a mustard color? What color is that?

K: It is, it’s like a mustard-brown-something. It needs a steam.

C: We’re headed into fall! I do like, when you head outside, this tied around your shoulders or waist.

K: Okay (putting on an oversized denim shirt), or is it this…?

C: Oh wow, that’s just like a full-on outfit.

K: It’s good right?

C: I would wear that, not to rehearsals. I kind of like this a little bit better. It’s giving Chessy.

K: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh my gosh. You’re Annie?

C: Hahahahahahaha.

K: Okay we can call this look Chessy. With the watch especially, l-o-l, I’m dead.

Formula 3: fitness top + cargo pants (in tonal/harmonious colors) + oversized denim shirt + tennies (+ The Parent Trap references)

LAYERS! When You Can Only Pack One, Go Oversized

K: I still will bring a sweatshirt to leave in my locker as an extra layer for all of these, because it gets so cold in the studio.

C: Yeah, stay cozy.

K: But I wonder if I bring something that is like, blatantly oversized—(holding up Canterbury Episcopal School sweatshirt)—so then it just becomes….

C: *cackling*

K: …not this one? (laughing)

[Ed note: A lot of context is needed to understand why Claire is laughing at this. This sweatshirt is from my high school—my dad got it when I was a little kindergarten bebe (our school was K-12). Claire and I both graduated from the same school, but this sweatshirt is old enough that it has our FIRST mascot on it, the Owls. (This one looks EXTREMELY similar to the how many licks Owl.) By the time Claire and I were playing school sports, the mascot had been changed to the Cougars, and no offense to us, but that is a way more boring choice. So this sweatshirt is basically priceless. It also belongs to me now, sorry Dad. Eldest daughter’s rights.]

C: You have to bring that one—(laughing) how do you still have that?!

K: It’s a collector’s piece!

C: That is so good oh my god—I like the color of the white with the pants.

K: But does it need to be a fitted sweatshirt with the cargoes, because they’re kind of baggy?

C: Okay, here’s the thing—I feel like you need to go oversized so that it’s visible that *this is not a part of the outfit.* Like I just grabbed this and threw it on. You know what I mean? And the whole point of this part of the exercise is that you just need to be warm and cozy. Can you show me what it looks like with the cargo pants and the white sweatshirt? I think if you do baggy and baggy for both it could be a vibe with like, a front tuck.

K: Yeah I can tuck it.

Styling oversized with oversized! I also think this would work with the Nike Cortez.

C: Yeah see, I kind of like it.

K: It’s baggier than what I normally wear—but it’s not bad. I just never dress like this. But okay, yes, we love new things, we’ll do this.

C: Roll up your sleeves for sure. I was just looking at how Mary Kate and Ashley [Olsen] wear their baggy clothes—you have to show your wrist.

Not a formula, but: baggy-on-top-of-baggy can still look intentional/pulled together with a little front tuck and a push-up of your sleeves.

A Surprise LOOK 4: 90s Dad but Make It Glam

K: I think that’s the last problem to solve. Great!

C: Great outfits! And if you need another one, I would do your Nikes with white socks. I think that’s really cute, to lean into the dad-vibe. Giving 90s-dad-workout-style.

K: Okay, we’re trying a stylish dad.

C: You could do this with biker shorts or with leggings, depending on what’s more comfortable.

K: I think I’ve gotta do pants, even though it’s 100 degrees outside. For 8 hours I’m at the mercy of the AC.

C: Fair.

K: I have these black leggings, I love these, with the little splits—

C: Ohhh at the bottom!

K: This would be better for a yoga day though…oh, the black sweater! Should I try it with the black sweater?

C: Yes. For sure. Oh my god this is going to be cute. I’m glad you have the crop.

K: Okay this is fun, I like this—

My mirror is really in a state I’M SORRY. **But again, the contrast of a cropped top with a formal layer is good! We are demure, but not too! And the shoe, wow, the shape and look of the tennis shoe when wearing athleisure is everything.**

Formula 4: black cropped top + black cardigan + black leggings (with an interesting detail!) + white crew socks + white tennies

C: Love it. What’s everyone else’s vibe?

K: I don’t think anyone else cares this much hahahaha.

C: Couldn’t be me.

K: Four!

C: Wow!

SIGNING OFF

C: Love it. And now you have your formulas. So tough, when it’s hot outside and an icebox inside.

K: Yeah it forces functionality over everything. And that is not my favorite way to get dressed! Ha.

C: Look, now I’m about to do the same thing. Just a quick little run to the grocery store!

K: Cute! Okay yay! Wow, that was so productive. Thank you very much.

C: Let me know how it goes!

Black cardi and a little white tank! Bye Claire!

ALRIGHT Costume Change, that is IT. Fin. I hope that was as helpful to you as it was for me!

Our fitness formulas again, summarized, for your personal experimentation journey:

cropped work out top OR tank + cardigan + loose pants, leggings, OR bike shorts + white tennies
cropped work out top OR tank + button down + loose pants, leggings, OR bike shorts + any tennies
work out top + cargo pants (or any loose “real” pant) + oversized denim (or otherwise comfy) shirt + slim profile tennies
in monochrome (or a tonal match): cropped work out top + leggings (or biker shorts) + cardigan + white crew socks + white sneaks
other important deets: an oversized sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed up can work over pretty much everything; a harmonious color palette solves a lot of problems; the sneaker really matters! And, for heat, key that you can tie those layers around your waist.

GOOD LUCK, from me and C! For what it’s worth, if you don’t have the AC battle to fight like I do, I also think a lot of these would work with loose, sporty athletic shorts.

Bye!

Costume Change is a styling newsletter (vs. a shopping newsletter). There’s no spon-con above—any references to clothing/shoes/shops, etc. are purely honest-to-goodness thoughts and recommendations. As always, I hope that Costume Change first and foremost provides you with inspiration to re-style inside of your own closet. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Thanks for reading!

Costume Change