2020 might be over, but our life in pandemic continues, at least for the “work” part of it. With work from home becoming a norm now, many of us are still struggling with this new routine – getting up and walking across the room to the work desk (or for some, mostly the couch or the bed), still in our pajamas and sweatshirt. And we end up asking ourselves – “Where are those days, when we would get up, dress up, head out, ready to take on the world!” Yes, working from home indeed takes a bit of adjustment – in how you live, think, or even work.
WFH is still Work
But here’s the thing though. Working from home is still “working”. You have work hours, you have a workstation, the same coworkers (or new), same responsibilities.
We have been doing this for nearly a year now and we finally realized that the drag we feel with WFH has a lot to do with how we have been treating ourselves during these tough times.
Pulling yourself through the day in pajamas you slept in and that sweatshirt you have been wearing every day is only going to pull you down further. On a psychological and spiritual level, the relaxing energies from your sleep hours should never get passed on to your active hours. Hence the idea of wearing different clothes for work.
Research says that when you get “dressed in work clothes” it makes you feel more alert, productive, and confident.
And needless to say, it keeps you ready for that last-minute Zoom meeting your boss might be asking for.
That being said, you don’t have to put on a power dressing or a fancy outfit either. All you need is a set of smart casual but comfortable pieces that get you going for the day!
So, here is our tried and tested WFH style guide (and a few other tips) that might come in handy.
Work From Home Style Guide
Jumpsuit
Depending on the weather, you can either choose a simple, cotton jumpsuit with a flowy silhouette or something in thicker fabric (if it’s cold). Jumpsuits work great as all-day wear, they are stylish and comfortable, and based on the design they are versatile enough to be formal or casual. Throw on a quick jacket for a meeting and that’s about it!
Wide-legged pants
Our team learned early on that pajamas are really a bad idea to work in all day. Yes, they are very comfy but that’s the thing; you cannot sit straight and stay alert if you get too comfortable. And thus, we all switched to these easy, breezy, wide-legged pants. They are stylish, versatile, and yet very easy to slip in, so you don’t feel restricted like skinny jeans or formal trousers. You could also try wide-legged jeans for the same experience.
Pair it with any top or a sweater and you are good to go for hours.
Duster Jackets
If you are to dress up in tees and leggings or jeans, a duster jacket is a very good cover-up. It is also very cozy but not so much that it would make you doze off.
Straight legged Chinos
For those who are still used to business attire and find it hard to find the right domestic alternative, the chinos are your answer. These pull-on pants are basic, beautiful, and simple. The straight-legged cuts in the comfortable fabrics balance the sharpness and comfort so you still feel that you are in workwear.
T-shirt Dress
Putting on a formal dress while you are in carpet slippers and roaming around the house might feel a little strange. That’s why the tee shirt dress. It’s a t-shirt, it’s a dress, it’s perfect to wear at home all day, whether you are sitting and working, popping in for an urgent Zoom meeting, or rushing out for a quick grocery pickup. Throw on a cardigan or jacket for the extra “formal” touch, if you like.
Turtle neck tees/tops
If you recall, we had a long story about the turtleneck style, how versatile they are, and so on. This is the time to bring all the theory to practice. If you live in a colder climate, nothing keeps you warmer than a snug-fitting turtle neck top or tee. In solid colors, they look very sharp and formal, so you don’t have to worry about the meeting look. And, you can pair it with almost anything – jeans, wide-legged pants, or skirts.
Some more WFH tips
You know what they say about “dress for the job you want”. Well, though it’s not exactly the same thing, you get the idea. Even if you are working from the comfort of your home, you must treat those few hours of the day as you would when you went to the office. You still need to bathe, dress up (a little), be comfortable but presentable, so you get into the mood for work.
In addition to dressing up, here are a few other things that might help get through the WFH period as long as it lasts –
Keep your workplace separate from where you sleep, make sure it’s away from your “cozy corner”.
Make your bed, take a shower, do your hair – it’s important that we feel good about ourselves so we can be confident of whatever we are doing.
Take a walk – around the house, in your backyard, on the driveway, wherever you can and for whatever little time you can. It helps clear the mind, gives you a change of scenery, and since you are already dressed for work, you don’t even have to worry about changing clothes to go outside!
Now, let’s get up, dress up, and get to work!
