This guide outlines why working from home outfits should still mean you present yourself in a polished and professional way, and what that means.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to allow their employees to leave their stations and work from home instead. Many thought that such a setup would be temporary. However, with more than a year of trying to keep the coronavirus contained by restricting social interactions, working from home has changed work habits. Some businesses found that the change raised employee productivity, and this has made them open to making remote work a permanent option for their employees.
Perhaps your organization intends to make the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement the new norm. Or maybe you landed a job that does not require you to report to the office every day. If so, you can do more than just sprucing up your home office. Consider building a wardrobe of working from home outfits that let you channel a professional vibe, even if your “office” is just a couple of steps away from your bed.
Although it may seem tempting to be in pajamas or loungewear all day, doing so could be disadvantageous to you in the long run. To help you understand why you should select your working from home outfits carefully, read on. This piece will outline the importance of dressing up while working from home. There’s also a section on fashion tips to help you put together ideal working from home outfits. Whether you’re looking to buy denim leggings, find similar comfy yet stylish pieces, or choosing the best tops for your virtual meetings, there’s definitely something for you there.
Working from home outfits: why you should still dress up
Being selective of the clothes you wear while working from home may seem like a hassle, but the rationale behind it is more significant than you realize. If you are hesitant to dress up for working remotely, the following reasons may convince you to exert a bit of effort in choosing your working from home outfits:
What You Wear Influences Your Mindset
Your clothing is more than just a means to express yourself. You may not be aware of it, but it has the power to influence your behavior and attitude. Think about how you feel when you slip into your comfy pajamas at the end of the day. Don’t you feel relaxed and sleepy? The reason why you feel this way is because you have associated your pajamas with resting and sleeping. Thus, your body automatically relaxes and changes to sleep mode the moment you put them on.
The same thing happens when you wear working from home outfits. The mere act of putting on an office blouse rather than your usual loungewear makes a lot of difference. Your work ensemble signals your brain that the time for relaxation is over, and it is time to switch to work mode. If you keep wearing your old t-shirt and sweatpants while working from home, you may find it harder to concentrate on your work tasks since your body is conditioned to do leisure activities while wearing such clothes. Ultimately, if you want to be productive, focused, and motivated to tackle the challenges of the day, you have to dress the part.
Dressing Up Makes You Feel Good
Remote work can be exciting at first as you do not have to deal with the challenges of commuting or having social interactions with difficult co-workers. However, months of virtual meetings and a lack of in-person interaction can take a toll on your mood. Dressing up in working from home outfits is one way to instantly cheer you up. After all, it is easy to feel good when you wear something nice and it elevates your confidence as well as your appearance.
It is worth noting that dressing up in working from home outfits does not mean you have to stick to your usual office ensemble. Perhaps the best thing about this work arrangement is that you have the opportunity to experiment with your style. Look into your closet and try different combinations. You can pair a vintage blazer with a plain white t-shirt and leggings, or you can finally wear that bright-colored dress you love but feel hesitant to try in the office.
Wearing Presentable Attire Prepares You for Anything
Working from home requires numerous video conferencing, especially if you are working with a team. Although most of these virtual meetings are scheduled ahead of time, impromptu video calls from your boss, teammates, or clients may still occur. When you make it a point to dress up in working from home outfits, you are always ready for such happenings. You do not have to rush to change into proper attire, and you can answer while remaining relaxed and composed. Thus, exerting a little more effort in the morning can help you minimize your stress for the day.
Dressing for Work Helps You Maintain Boundaries
When you work in an office, you know that your work day is over as soon as you clock out and step out of the office. Unfortunately, separating your personal and professional life becomes much more challenging when you do both in the same space. It is harder to condition your mind to switch from relax mode to work mode and vice-versa without visual cues that help to delineate between the two.
So, what better way to set a clear line between work and home life than by dressing up in working from home outfits? As mentioned above, your mind reacts to the type of clothes you wear. In the absence of physical boundaries, you can use your clothes to influence your behavior and demeanor. Dress up to get your mind ready for work, and change to loungewear as a signal that you can relax and set aside your work concerns for the day.
Tips for selecting your working from home outfits
Getting dressed in the morning does not have to take a lot of effort, especially if you are working remotely. To select the ideal outfit to wear, consider the following pointers:
- Keep it casual but stylish. Dressing up while working from home does not mean putting on a business suit every day. The key is to wear something casual and comfortable that makes you look presentable and stylish. For example, you can wear a crisp white button-down shirt and a pair of denim leggings. A button-down top looks chic and elegant, while denim leggings offer the look of real pants minus the discomfort of wearing a stiff fabric.
- Consider bright-colored tops. For days packed with video calls, you may want to choose brightly colored tops to boost your mood and accentuate your face on the screen. If you prefer to stick to blouses in neutral colors, consider adding a colorful element to your outfit, like a bright scarf, statement earrings, or a necklace.
- Don’t be afraid to switch up your look. To successfully navigate the world of remote work, you need to focus on doing the things that uplift your mood and give you the energy to finish your daily tasks. That means you are free to dress according to your mood for as long as you look put together. For instance, if you are gloomy, wear something that makes you feel special—whatever that means to you.
- Make it fun. Remote work can be monotonous at times. So, why don’t you liven up your workday by keeping your WFH ensemble interesting? Perhaps you can assign a specific look for a particular day, such as a sassy outfit for Monday, chic for Tuesday, elegant for Wednesday, and so on.
Conclusion
What you wear impacts your mood, behavior, and attitude. When you put on working from home outfits that make you look nice and presentable, you feel good as well. So if you want to feel more energized and be more productive while working from home, start by dressing the part.
