In light of recent events, many people are working from home - but just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can’t get dressed for work! After struggling to work from home, I discovered something that helped - dressing up even if I’m not leaving the house. I saved a ton of WFH outfit ideas in my Stylebook closet and I wanted to share a few outfit tips I learned to help you feel polished, yet super comfortable at home.
Getting dressed can help you keep a sense of normalcy and also feel more productive - and it comes in handy if you need to hop on a quick video chat! Here’s some advice on how to look put together but stay comfy. There’s also a challenge at the end of the post in case you need a little motivation!
Why You Should Plan What to Wear for the Week
It’s so easy to fall back into staying in pajamas all day if you can’t think of anything good to wear in the morning. Save your outfits in Stylebook so you have comfortable, put together looks waiting for you when you get dressed. I personally like to use the calendar feature to plan my entire week in advance so I don’t have to think about what to wear every morning.
Even if I don’t schedule my outfits, just being able to browse a folder of saved outfits is super helpful. I save each WFH outfit into a custom Stylebook folder called “Work From Home.” This keeps everything together and easily accessible. I also have different work folders for when I can return to the office, like “everyday office outfits” and “formal work outfits.” This makes it easy to get dressed when I’m busy.
Work From Home Outfit Ideas
The key to work-from-home dressing is mixing smart casual items with more comfortable pieces. This is fun because you can wear creative pieces that you wouldn’t be able to incorporate in a traditional office environment. It’s also a fun opportunity to test-drive outfits that you might otherwise be too shy to wear out. Here are a few of my favorite outfit formulas so you can plan your outfits in Stylebook!
My Favorite Work From Home Outfit Formulas
Nice Top + Comfortable Pants
When getting dressed for a work day at home, I always reach for flowy or stretchy fabrics. I like Rayon and silk blouses because they allow for a lot of movement, and can easily elevate a pair of joggers. Another option is an oversized or knit blazer paired with leggings.
Stretchy Bottoms + Accessories
Drawstrings or stretch are essential for me when I’m working from home because they’re comfortable and allow for a lot of movement. If I wear jeans, I always make sure they have a lot of stretch. If I choose a skirt or trousers, I select a pair with elastic or a drawstring. To keep these pieces from getting too casual, I accessorize. Consider wearing jewelry and belts even if you aren’t leaving the house - they are usually the last finishing touch to any outfit!
Knit Dress + Cardigan
The best dresses feel like pajamas, but still look put together. I love knit jersey dresses and wear them with long cardigans or a jackets.
Sweater + Comfortable Trousers
I think of sweaters as a sweatshirt upgrade. Instead of wearing a sweatshirt, I put on a cardigan to feel more put together. They’re just as comfortable, but give a more polished look. There are even “fancy” sweatshirts that are made out of more sophisticated knits like cashmere! I don’t have one, but they look amazing and if you work from home full time, it may be worth checking out.
Athleisure Pieces + Office Wear
A lot of athletic retailers sell pieces that are made from workout material, but have a more structured shape. I love looking for trousers and joggers at athletic stores - both Lululemon and Aletha have good selections. These look and feel amazing paired with a nice sweater or jacket.
Why You Should Get Dressed To Work From Home
You’ll Feel More Productive - Dressing for work can help you be more productive. Seriously! Scientific American shares the result of several studies that point to a link between attire and cognitive performance.
It Helps You Get in the Mood for Work - It can help you mentally separate your work time from relaxation time - even if you stay at home for both.
Look Polished for Unexpected Interactions - You’ll be ready if you receive an unexpected video call, visitor or delivery.
Test Drive Outfit Ideas - Since you’re at home all day, it’s a great way to see if you really like an outfit that you may have been unsure about.
Fancy Socks - I have a few pairs of bright socks and slippers that I’ve received as gifts. I hardly every wear them because they don’t match my shoes or jacket, but it’s fun to incorporate them into my WFH outfits.
Work from Home Outfit Challenge
This is a 5 day challenge to inspire you to get dressed even if you’re staying at home. The prompts are simple and you can make them your own! If you do the challenge, post your outfits to Instagram with
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