Whether you call it ‘working from home’, ‘working remotely’ or ‘at home, working’, getting your job done in the same place that you live now means something a bit different. Working from home used to be a thing you did on occasional Fridays, or when one of the kids was sick, or when you had a doctor’s appointment near home and it just didn’t make sense to drive back to the office. But now it’s a big part of your world. And whether you’re doing it 100% through the end of the year or you’re on a hybrid work schedule due to office social distancing, it’s a balance.
And I don’t just mean a balance between getting work done and making sure the kids don’t kill each other. Or a balance between being on Zoom all day and finding time for self-care. It’s also a balance with your style. You knew how to dress for days at the office - whether your summer go-to was a cute top and jeans or a simple dress with fun accessories – you felt good with your outfit choices. And you knew how to dress for days at home – some version of loungewear or the workout clothes you never changed out of. But now that you’re home for a while, you may not be sure which clothes function for daily work, that balance feeling good in what you’re wearing with what’s appropriate for your new stay-at-home job.
So, to take some of the guesswork out of figuring out what to wear to work from home, I’ve created 7 outfits that are ideal for your work from home life. You can easily adapt these looks to your weather and wardrobe, and they are all comfortable, relatable outfits that align with most company cultures and industries. And the best news is that these outfits can become your new go-to work from home looks - and none of them include leggings.
POP COLOR TOP + SHORTS
My best advice when figuring out what to wear on Zoom is grabbing a pop color top. It’s an easy way to stand out among the 20 other boxes that may be on your screen, and color is also a no-brainer method to lift your spirits. And when you pick a shade that flatters your skin tone, it makes you look more vibrant, more alive, and helps a ton when you’re feeling tired. (Read this for another little known Zoom tip that I shared on Instagram.) Just add fun earrings that amp up the color story and you’re ready for a day of meetings.
And when it’s hot, shorts are an easy ‘no one is going to see it’ option – but be sure to turn off your video (and mute your speaker) if you need to get up during a long Zoom call.
EASY DRESS + PRINT SANDALS
A comfortable dress is a summer wardrobe workhorse for many of my clients (click here to see 3 outfits I created with one simple dress). It’s easy breezy and beats the heat better than any pants-based outfit can. And when you choose one like this, you’re also adding some fun details to your look. The texture at the top of the dress adds dimension (within your Zoom window), and the flutter sleeve gives you just enough coverage so that you don’t need a jacket if you normally don’t bear your shoulders at work. When paired with leopard print sandals, it’s an easy look for all day at work and hanging out on the deck after dinner.
PRINT TOP + CARDIGAN + WIDE LEG CROPPED PANTS
Several of my clients feel more work-appropriate in outfits that echo their office style, that are just a little more at-home comfy. So when your regular work uniform is a print top & cardigan, there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel. All you need to finish off your look is a comfortable pair of cropped pants (look for soft fabrics with an elastic or drawstring waist) and slides that you can slide right off under your desk.
ELEVATED T-SHIRT + JOGGER PANTS
Elevated t-shirts are key in your warm weather wardrobe (if you’re not sure what an elevated t-shirt is, read this). They add a little more interest than a basic, neutral v-neck t-shirt, but are just as easy to wear. For a simple work from home day, pair one with your favorite jogger pants and sneakers, so you don’t have to change when you’re taking a walk on your lunch hour.
SWEATER BLAZER + T-SHIRT + JEANS
Does your go-to look start with a t-shirt and jeans almost year round? You’re not alone. And there’s no reason this doesn’t work for working from home, especially if your jeans are nice and stretchy. But when you’re presenting on a video call or having a 1 on 1 with your boss and want to add some polish, grab a sweater blazer to finish off your look (check this out for other ideas to look more polished and put together).
A sweater blazer is exactly what it says – it’s a blazer made of sweater material, so it’s basically a revved up cardigan. So, you can keep one on the back of your desk chair and grab it right before your virtual meeting begins.
SWEATER TANK + MIDI SKIRT
Are you a shorts person or do you prefer skirts? Most of my clients like one or the other for warm summer days. One of my favorite summer tops is a sweater tank - it lives in between a tank top and a regular sweater, so it hits a nice middle ground. And if you’d rather not show your shoulders on Zoom, grab a white denim jacket – it’s a vital summer staple that you can toss over almost any outfit.
SWEATSHIRT + CARGO PANTS
At first read, this outfit might sound more like something you wear to clean out the garage than what you wear to work. But in the same way you’d choose an elevated version of a t-shirt, you can select a sweatshirt that’s nicer than your old grey crewneck one. Pick one with some pizazz (like on-trend tie dye), add hoop earrings and you’re ready to work in style.
And while I’m talking about accessories – accessories are a great way to add style points to your work from home look, but they’re easy to forget about when you’re not leaving the house (see this for 3 outfits I took from simple to stellar with a quick change of accessories). Here are a few tips on choosing accessories for when you’re working from home:
Earrings – select styles that frame your face nicely, but that don’t extend beyond your jawline. Otherwise, people may watch your earrings sway as you talk during your Zoom call, rather than listening to what you’re saying.
Bracelets – if you can handle bracelets when you’re on your computer all day, choose ones that sit tight to your wrist (like elastic or wrap styles) rather than bangles that may slide up and down your arm, or make noise as you move during a video meeting.
Necklaces - are a great way to add interest to your look, but skip the statement styles in favor of more subtle short necklaces and simple pendants.
Scarves – if you’re jumping on a Zoom call and don’t have time to change out of your workout/lounge clothes, toss a scarf around your neck. It adds a hit of print and makes you look a little less ‘I woke up like this’.
Shoes – some of my clients feel more prepared for work when they’re wearing actual shoes, while others just grab sneakers or slippers. So, just wear something comfortable that makes you feel good – you can always change shoes before you head out of the house.
If you’re looking for more work from home style inspiration, follow me on Instagram and Facebook for regular style tips and advice. And if you’re not already getting my newsletter, sign up here for style delivered directly to your inbox!
All clothes by Banana Republic, except for the sweater blazer by J Crew. All shoes by Sam Edelman. All jewelry by Kendra Scott. Eyeglass frames by Warby Parker.