You’ve been working from home for how long? Do we even count it in months anymore or is a fraction of a year more appropriate? If you’re like me, you’ve been in ‘quarantine’ and working from home for about half a year (oh wow, that’s the first time I’ve thought of it that way). So, it’s no longer something very temporary or a moment to push through. It’s part of our lives – and even if you think that we’ll be getting back to ‘normal’ in several months, working from home will most likely be a key component in getting your job done going forward.
Remember when you first started working after college? You may have bought a few suits for interviews or developed a succinct business casual look or created a style that aligned with your company culture. And even when you shift your career into a new field or start with a different company, you’ll often select key pieces in your wardrobe that function for work, so that you’re hitting the ground running in the mornings. Well, guess what? It’s time to do this for your work from home wardrobe. It’s finally time to make a conscious decision as to what items in your closet to wear for working from home, so you’re no longer contemplating your entire wardrobe on a regular basis – and often defaulting to the same boring things, day after day.
I know that you miss wearing a lot of your clothes. That you wish you had a reason to put on a fun dress or your sassy heels or that cool leather jacket that you bought right before shelter-in-place. But while those items may not make sense right now, it’s worth it to figure out which items DO make sense right now - so you can actually enjoy getting dressed even when you’re not leaving the house. So, here’s my list of what makes sense for work from home life – aka 6 work from home wardrobe essentials that take you from now and right into fall.
POP COLOR TOPS
You have a lot to juggle at home, right? Between your kids’ distance learning, your 9 to 5 job (that’s suddenly evolved into 7-7) and the never-ending question of what’s for dinner, life feels more stressful than ever before. But getting dressed shouldn’t feel that way. So, what’s an easy piece that gets you ready for 5 video calls, deciphering your son’s history homework and baking cookies with your little one? A pop color top! A boldly colored top does many things – it gives you a strong presence on Zoom, it can flatter your face when you’re feeling tired and it’s an easy focal point of an otherwise simple outfit. (And if you’re willing to play with 2 pop colors in one outfit, click here for a few of my favorite combos.)
COMFORTABLE PANTS
Comfy pants – a no brainer, right? Wrong. Because if your version of comfy pants has been leggings or sweatpants every day, you’re not doing yourself justice. You’re not using clothes as a tool to get ready to work from home. So, it’s time to figure out which pants are comfortable AND make you feel pulled together AND you wouldn’t mind being seen in when you have to get up during a video call. These may be joggers or stretchy pull on pants or drawstring waist styles – just pick a few pairs that make you feel like you’re getting dressed on purpose, as opposed to by default because no one is going to see them. (Then read this for 7 late summer work from home outfits that are intentional, but still easy to wear.)
UNSTRUCTURED THIRD PIECES
If you haven’t heard it from me before, a ‘third piece’ is a cardigan, jacket or blazer that completes your outfit (in addition to your top and pants). But you may not be thinking of third pieces while you’re at home, and that’s a mistake. A third piece can make you look and feel totally pulled together – and it’s also a key layer as we transition into fall weather. For working from home, you probably won’t grab a leather moto jacket or a structured suit blazer. But you can grab a long cardigan to wear over a sleeveless top and skinny pants. Or a sweater blazer to toss on top of a striped t-shirt and jeans. Or a denim jacket to throw over a simple dress. (If you’re looking for a versatile third piece to take you from early fall straight into winter, check this out.)
EASY DRESSES
Some of my clients love a dress as an easy one-and-done outfit, while others feel like they’re too fussy to wear for working at home. But I suggest that you try one before you make your decision. Besides being almost an entire outfit unto itself, a versatile dress can be styled a multitude of ways, depending on your agenda – with sneakers for running around, with booties for socially distant date nights or with slippers for an afternoon at your desk. (Discover one easy dress I outfitted 3 different ways here.)
SLIP ON SHOES
When you’re working from home, you want shoes that you can take off as easily as you can put on, right? Then slip on shoes are ideal – and you have a lot of choices. From slides to loafers to sneaker styles, they’re something casual that still makes you feel like you got dressed. And if slippers are your thing for working from home, then go for it! (Are you nervous about wearing printed shoes? Click to see a few looks I created with one pair of printed loafers.)
JEWELRY YOU LOVE
I know many women who have essentially forgotten about jewelry while staying at home. But I think jewelry is a key element in making you feel like you finished getting dressed and it can provide a sense of normalcy (and we all need that). Jewelry not only completes your look, but adds interest to an outfit made up of simple pieces. Pick styles that you love and you’ll never go wrong.
Does your quarantine style need a shot in the arm or do you need help with filling the holes in your work from home wardrobe? Contact me to schedule a free 20 minute call to discuss your needs and click here to read how I can help you create a style that works for your lifestyle, your body type and your budget - and makes you feel great, every day.