Anyone who regularly works from home knows that kicking about in your pyjamas all day long quickly loses its appeal. Even though you might be able to see your bed from your desk, it doesn’t mean that you should be dressed like you’re about to go back to sleep.
On the other hand, a three-piece suit would probably feel ridiculous in your home. However, dressing to distinguish your work persona from your home persona is the right thing to do if you want to get in the right mindset for a productive day.
So here are some quick tips on what to wear when you get up in the morning to work from home.
1. Getting dressed for work puts you in productivity mode
Even though it might be tempting to support a casual attire all day long, it’s important not to make a habit out of working in your pajamas. We’ve all been guilty of occasional pyjama days, but they should definitely not be the standard.
When you work from home your life you have days when you just don’t feel like dressing up. That’s totally okay, especially in these uncertain times when clothing can be a source of comfort. So if you want to put on your softest sweats and your fluffy slippers, go on and do that. However, it’s important to establish a regular routine and figure out the right balance.
If you were going into the office, you wouldn’t skip getting dressed, and your brain knows that. Get ready for a productive day by continuing a routine of getting dressed before you start work. Besides, getting dressed for work has other perks as well — now that you have to keep the tea and coffee station topped up on your own, you’ll eventually have to venture out for supplies, so your well-picked outfit won’t go to waste.
2. Experiment with your look
Since you don’t have to worry about dress codes anymore when you work from home, this is the perfect time to experiment with your casual yet smart look. Most experts say that a business casual is the best choice for remote workers because they will keep you feeling productive while also being casual enough to keep you comfortable.
For example you could pair your favourite jeans and T-shirt with a casual blazer. Everyone wants to feel comfortable and this is especially true when we work from home. To achieve the perfect balance between comfort and putting your brain productivity mode, opt for looks that combine fashion and function.
3. Choose colours to boost your mood
Dressing in colors that reflect your mood can give yourself a boost and make
a difference in the way you feel. Your personal mood is affected by the colours that surround you.
Hotter shades such as red, orange, or yellow can get your adrenaline pumping and your brain moving, so they are perfect for those fast paced days where you have deadlines to meet. On the other hand, cooler shades such as greens or blues are more relaxing, so they are ideal when it’s time to slow things down.
You can add a dash of color to your work outfit with accessories or makeup as well. For example, you can add a bright necklace or use us a sassy shade of lipstick before a Zoom meeting.
4. Don’t forget about shoes
We’ve all seen those funny memes with people dressed for office but wearing slippers under the desk. While that’s certainly a super cosy approach to remote working, putting some proper shoes on can make you feel like you’re actually working.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to wear the same sneakers, loafers, or boots you wear outside (especially if you’re a no-shoes household). Instead of dragging the dirt from outside into your home office, buy shoes with the sole purpose of wearing them inside.
A lightweight pair of sneakers, some Birkenstocks, or even some Oxford shoes that really mean business are all good ideas. Make sure that the shoes you choose for your work-from home attire are comfortable, so you won’t be tempted to take them off after the first hour.
5. Be creative with your wardrobe
If you’ve transitioned from a cubicle or office job to remote work, you may already have lots of business casual pieces in your wardrobe that are just sitting there gathering dust.
Try to find some ways to incorporate them into your work-from-home attires so they don’t go to waste. For example, you can combine casual tops with bottoms that mean business, or the other way around.
6. Don’t wear something that you wouldn’t wear in a real office
Just because you work from home now, it doesn’t mean that you’re free to wear any old T-shirt with offensive slogans or that’s way too revealing. This is particularly important if you have the kind of job that involves lots of video conferences. If you think that anyone could object to something you’re wearing to work from home, it’s better not to wear it at all.
7. At the end of the day, do what works for you
If the dress code in your old job was a source of stress for you, you may want to spend every day in your comfortable leggings and slippers. That’s perfectly OK but give real clothes a try after the joy of not having to dress up in the morning wears off. You are likely to see a boost of productivity and feel like you mean business.
The fact that you’re working from home doesn’t mean that you don’t need a self-esteem boost every morning. By dressing the part, you’ll notice a positive effect not just on your productivity, but on your mood as well.
