We’ve all been there: hitting the snooze button and finding out that it is 9 a.m. and you have to make it to your 9:20 a.m. class or waking up from a nap, only to realize you have 15 minutes to run out the door. Whether we like it or not, running late is something that occasionally happens to all of us. But don’t worry, just because you’re late doesn’t mean your outfit or hair has to suffer. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are in a rush and don’t know what the heck to wear or do with your hair, here are some ideas that will help. 

1. Grab your favorite pair of leggings or sweats. 

The fact that leggings and sweatpants have managed to make a huge comeback is amazing for people who, like me, get tired of wearing jeans but don’t want to go for the alternative of skirts and dresses. The great thing about leggings and sweats is that you can put together an outfit in a matter of seconds without having to overthink it. Plus, when you are in a rush, they slide on a lot easier than skinny jeans ever will. 

2. Stick to neutral colors.

When it comes to putting an entire outfit together, one of the most time consuming things for me is picking colors that work together. Avoid the mess of mixing and matching and instead pick out clothes with neutral colors. Black, white, beige, navy and gray never fail, and make it easy to create a quick and simple look. 

3. Toss on a jacket or hoodie.

If you want to have an outfit that looks like you put effort into it, but it literally only took you five minutes to pull together, put on a moto or denim jacket. Putting on a simple jacket can give the illusion of a put-together look. On the other hand, a hoodie, either opened or zipped, can also have that same power but in a more relaxed sense. Whether you are going for a crisp or casual look, this tip of tossing something on will help you achieve your goal.

4. Choose a sweatshirt or graphic tee. 

For those moments when absolutely nothing comes to mind when searching for a last-minute outfit to wear, just throw on your favorite sweatshirt or any graphic tee and you are good to go. 

5. Select comfy footwear. 

You never need to sacrifice comfort for style, especially when you’re running late. There are plenty of comfortable footwear options. If you want to wear something that offers a little height but doesn’t slow you down, wedges, chunky heels or platforms are the best option. It is also helpful to have a go-to pair of shoes in your wardrobe that can go with any outfit for those moments when you have no time to think about what shoes to wear. 

6. Throw on a hat or a headband.

I couldn’t leave out the easiest solution to bed head in the morning, which is to cover it with a hat. A good beanie, snapback or baseball cap can transform any bad hair day into a decent one. If you’re not a hat person, a simple headband can help you fix any bad hair day as well and add some flair to your day. 

7. Braid your hair or put it up into a bun.

Sometimes throwing on a hat or a headband just doesn’t cut it. Style your hair into a regular braid for a quick fix. Or, if you want something that looks nicer than a regular braid, but requires a minimum amount of effort, try a French or fishtail braid. A final option is to style your hair into a quick bun and secure it with bobby pins. With these looks, you’ll never suffer from post-nap bed head. 

Contact Angie Diaz at [email protected].