If you purchase a product through a link in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to us.
For many of us, our default state in the morning is urgency. Alarms go off, notifications pile up, and before your feet even hit the floor, the day has already started calling for something from you. Over time, I’ve learned that that first hour shapes everything that follows: my focus, my energy, and even how I deal with stress. My mornings aren’t always perfect (a lot happens in life), but it’s intentional. Small ritual (going out beforehand) checking cell phonemoving my body, sitting down and drinking coffee instead of multitasking) have changed the tone of my days more than any other productivity system ever.
What you wear for the first hour is more important than you might think. The right item doesn’t just look pretty. They support rituals. Regardless of how my morning is going, I often reach for the next thing. Heaven Well Within Thoughtfully designed layers. It’s comfortable, yet structured and streamlined so it feels snug and put together.
Here are three ways to start your day off to a slow start, and what to wear for each.
morning of moving
Let’s start with the body.
When you wake up with excitement, start with movement. A short sunrise walk. Stretch for 10 minutes on the terrace. Before opening your laptop, take a slow lap around the block. The key to focus? No full training required. Your body needs a reset.
Acting first often leads to clearer thinking later. Breathing becomes deeper. Your posture will change. The nervous energy that builds up overnight has somewhere to go. The clothes you choose can support or distract from that change. I’m drawn to easy fabrics that are soft against the skin and hold their shape well – fabrics that allow me to move freely without feeling overly technical (I’m obsessed with organic cotton right now!). If you feel comfortable and supported, you’re much more likely to follow through.
For a movement-focused morning, think about it this way.
- Natural fiber leggings and fitted tanks
- Lightweight layer that can be removed when you warm up
- Hat (so you don’t have to worry about your hair)
Nothing complicated. All the pieces move with you and make it easy to get out and about.
Before heading out, I started adding one more small cue. It’s just a few sprays of magnesium spray on your shoulders and legs. It takes a few seconds, but it shows me that I’m transitioning from sleep to daytime. This kind of repetition creates a sense of familiarity. Over time, the body begins to recognize it as a beginning.
Even 10 minutes is important. Starting with your body changes the pace of your entire morning.
quiet morning
Please leave a space before typing.
Some mornings I don’t need movement, but I need some breathing room. instead of reach for mobile phonereaches for the mug. Sit in an area with natural light. Please open your diary. Maybe read a few pages. Or wake up slowly without filling the silence.
It doesn’t even take an hour. Even a short amount of time can change the entire tone of your day: before emails, before headlines, before other people’s needs.
On these mornings, I’m drawn to linen sets. It’s airy and purposeful with an oversized button-down and cropped pants. Linen has a non-stiff texture. The collar gives a sharp look. It’s a relaxed and easy cut. You will feel relaxed without feeling formal. Comfortable but dressed enough to start the day. The silhouette is relaxed, but not casual. It is breathable yet tightly packed.
If this is how you feel in the morning, think about it this way.
- Oversized button-down with sleeves that can be rolled up
- Cropped linen pants that reach above the ankle
- Bare feet indoors, simple leather sandals outdoors
This short time in the morning doesn’t seem dramatic from the outside, but there are ways to resolve everything before the day begins.
intentional dressing
Start your day (even if you are at home).
Working from home has made the transition easier to blur. Coffee in your inbox. I put on my pajamas and went to Zoom. The day begins completely before you arrive. I’ve found that getting dressed (actually getting dressed up) creates a line between sleep and work. It’s not elaborate, it’s just intentional.
On days when I work from home, I reach for a matching set of a clean-lined linen top and wide-legged pants with an elastic waist (I’m still all about comfort!). The fabric is breathable and the silhouette is modern yet unpretentious. It’s comfortable enough to sit on for hours and structured enough to keep your head clear.
When you change what you’ve been sleeping on, subtle changes occur. Your posture will be straighter, your decisions will be clearer, and you’ll spend your mornings with a little more purpose.
If you’re building your own version, think of it like this:
- structured linen tops
- Wide-leg or tailored pants that drape rather than cling
- minimal sandals or flat shoes
In the morning, while I’m cleaning the kitchen or making my bed, I sometimes take an extra few minutes to put on a face mask. Just like my magnesium spray, it’s a small cue that the day has officially begun.
If this doesn’t resonate with you, consider reconsidering your frame. Dressing intentionally is not about impressing someone. It’s about aligning how you feel inside with how you show up on the outside.
Sometimes, the reset you’re looking for isn’t a new routine. It’s the outfit you love and the decision to treat the day with care.
takeout
A slow morning isn’t about adding more routines. That means editing it. Decide what you want to grab in the first hour and what will help you feel refreshed and calm before the rest of your day begins. Whether it’s taking a walk, spending a few minutes quietly, or wearing clothes that make you feel like you, small choices like these can influence the rest of your day. And when you start intentionally, everything that follows will feel a little more aligned.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
