One Year Later: How to Style All Your Early Quarantine Buys for Real Life

Slippers, sweatsuits, boxer-style shorts, tube socks, leggings, and tie-dye anything. If you didn’t already own these things prior to the pandemic or if you just had a few, my guess is that they suddenly appeared in your wardrobe in multiples sometime around April or May of 2020. The unofficial "quarantine starter pack,” as I like to refer to the grouping, took social media as well as our shopping carts by storm and maintained its place firmly for just about a year, which is pretty much how long we spent in lockdown.

But now that things are starting to open up and we actually have places to go and people to see again, what’s one to do with all these items? It would be a shame to let them go to waste after we invested so heavily in our comfy collections. Luckily, there’s a solution. While they are great for wearing at home, all these pieces can also be integrated into your going-out wardrobe. For easy and cool ideas on how to style each one and, of course, some shopping along the way, just keep scrolling.

Boxer-Style Shorts

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(Image credit: @claire_most)

I'm actually dying to re-create this easy outfit myself.

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(Image credit: @matildadjerf)

A bralette and blazer are the perfect complements to dress up this boxer-style shorts set.

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Sweatsuits

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

When in doubt, just add party heels.

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(Image credit: @ali_tate_cutler)

Or, of course, ankle boots.

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Slippers

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Who knew slippers looked so chic with a blouse and printed pants?

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(Image credit: @himichelleli)

Proof that the most unexpected pairings are often the coolest.

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Leggings

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

A long coat makes anything look streamlined—even leggings and thong sandals. Just be sure to choose a light one for these warmer months. 

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(Image credit: @mcristinastyling)

Say it with me: tank, button-down, leggings, strappy heels.

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Tube Socks

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(Image credit: @chrissyford)

Your tube socks no longer need to be relegated to your home. If you're going out, pair them with a cute dress and sneakers to start. 

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(Image credit: @honeybelleworld)

I love this layered bike-shorts look and will definitely be attempting to copy it this weekend.

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Tie-Dye

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(Image credit: @estellechemouny)

Thankfully, tie-dye looks great with denim, so all those pieces you acquired can easily be worn with your favorite jeans, shorts, and skirts.

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(Image credit: @shhtephs)

Have endless tie-dye sweats? Style them with a coordinating crop top and easy heels. 

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Next: 49 epic summer finds under $49.

Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.