What to Wear When You Work from Home: 5 Outfit Idea

When going to work is as simple as rolling out of bed and walking across the hall to your home office, it takes time to feel motivated to get dressed. Your pajamas or workout clothes can quickly become your everyday business uniform.

Getting dressed for work is more important than you may think. Putting together a work outfit, even casual, creates a professional mindset that results in a more productive day. Here’s how to dress casually, be comfy, and do the job while working from home.

1. Try a  Long Top with Leggings

Nothing feels comfier when sitting for hours at a computer than stretchy, soft leggings. But they can easily make you look and feel frumpy, too. The trick is to wear them with something other than your basic workout tee.

Try a cheery, trendy top like this sporty, yellow-striped pullover. This top is soft to wear with a laid-back feel, but the chic funnel neck and on-trend drawstring hem give it loads of style. Black leggings are the old standby, but white ones also look great in warmer weather.

2. Slip on Stretchy Jeans and a Tunic

If you love to wear jeans, here’s a cute look. Add a flowy tunic to your favorite stretch jeans for a chic black-and-white look. This playful, zip-front top with friendly polka dots will make you look casual and confident as you adjust to your new normal.

3.   Stay Relaxed in an Oversized Shirt

You’re at your desk, on the phone,  in the kitchen making everyone lunch, and on the couch with your laptop watching Trump on TV. You don’t want anything tight or hot when you move around so much. A relaxed cotton shirt is an excellent way to go. I love the sunset colors on this boxy, cool shirt worn with your favorite jeans.

4. Get Comfy in Cotton Dress

Pants and leggings are a no-brainer, but there will be days when you feel like wearing a dress—but not any old one. This vibrant striped cotton knit dress with the bateau neck and 3/4-length sleeves is ideal. And when you are ready to step out the front door for some fresh air, slip on these backless sneakers and take a break.

5. Log on in Flowy Pants and a  Cute T-shirt

Like this cute blue pair, wide, flowy pants are another great option. These are linen, so they will keep you cool plus the elastic waistband gives you lots of breathing room.

You may have replaced that stressful morning commute to the office with working from home. But that’s no excuse to stay in your pajamas or sweatpants all day. A sloppy appearance equals a sloppy attitude and a poor work ethic.  Here are 7 ways to Look Stylish Working from Home.

Another thing to think about when creating a work-from-home wardrobe:

Don’t Let Comfy Mean Frumpy

Yes, Pj’s and sweats are indeed comfy, and you may not see anyone the entire day, but not getting dressed for work can affect your productivity.  You feel more professional when you look professional, and it shows in your bottom line.

It’s perfectly fine to dress casually and comfortably when you work from home, but it’s also important to look appropriate. In other words, when working from home, you should dress stylishly, pulled together, and well-groomed, not like a frumpy mess.

Stay Tuned Into Fashion

When you are not out and about with others, it’s easy to forget about style.  But you don’t want to go out for a coffee meeting and realize you’ve been stuck in your house for so long; you look trapped in a fashion time warp. Even though you are dressing casually, try incorporating a touch of the latest trends, such as a popular neckline, sleeve, or accessory. When you look dated, people think your ideas are dated.

Set a Style Budget

Setting aside a certain amount of your work-at-home wardrobe budget is a great idea because it assures you take dressing seriously for work.  Reserve your work-at-home wardrobe for working only so it feels special.

Punch up Your Wardrobe with Color

Working at home can be lonely, and it’s easy to get into a dreary rut by wearing dull colors. Lift your spirits, and feel more confident, creative, and productive in a bright or multi-color print.

Pay Attention to the Waist Up

With Skype and Zoom calls becoming so popular, you are guaranteed to be showing up on someone’s computer screen for a meeting. You might be wearing jeans and slippers, and that’s okay. But from the waist up, try and look a little special. Think about colors, necklines, and styles that are most flattering on camera. Avoid prints or tops with a lot of detail or embellishment on those days when you’ve planned a video conference.

Have A Jacket Handy

The quickest way to appear authoritative is to put on a jacket. It doesn’t have to be a formal suit jacket, but a casual blazer or relaxed jacket will automatically increase your boss’s power.

Allow Yourself a Casual Friday Outfit

Pick any day- most of the time, Friday- and consider it your Casual Dress-Down day. This is the day when you are paying the bills, cleaning your inbox, and getting ready for the weekend.  Permit yourself to wear a workout outfit, not just any old one. Casual but coordinated is the key.

Make Time for Hair and Make-up

When you look good, you feel good. It also affects how you interact with others, even if it’s just over the phone or computer. While it’s tempting to throw your hair up in a ponytail and forget the makeup, after days and days of this, you will look and feel like someone you don’t even know.

A little blush, lipstick, and some mascara (it only takes 4 minutes) are all you need to freshen yourself up and look fabulous.  As for the hair, if it’s just too much hassle, consider that a sign that you need a new cut that works better for your at-home lifestyle.

Keep a Pair of Chic Shoes By Your Desk

You probably won’t be wearing shoes in your home office, but what if you have to step out? There’s nothing like ruining your credibility by showing up to meet a client in a pair of dirty tennis shoes. Keep a classy pair of chic flats or low-heeled shoes by your side to slip on immediately.

Extend your Style Beyond Your Outfit

Style is not just about the way you dress. It’s about the way you live your life. So, surround yourself with beautiful things like modern home office accessories, flowers, and a stunning view or art to reflect on during the day.

The Final Word on Dressing When You Work from Home

In summary, the details of your work-from-home style make the difference and show others that you truly are professional and not a rinky-dink businessperson running a half-baked business out of your basement. Respect yourself by looking like the business professional you are.