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What To Wear When You Work From Home

What To Wear When You Work From Home
Carly Jacobs

I have several different jobs, most of which don’t require me to leave the house. This means that my ‘work wardrobe’ is slightly different to most people. I need to wear something comfortable that I can move around in (I live in a one bedroom flat with my partner, who also works from home so most of the time my desk is the couch or the floor) but is also professional enough so that I can pop out for a quick meeting or a working lunch. Here’s what I wear on a typical day working from home.

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Dress from Jacqui E * Bamboo wrap cardigan from Zhai * Ballet flats from Midas * Wallet used as clutch from Nancy Bird *

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* Sunglasses from Randolph * Earrings from Thailand *

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* Bangles from Vietnam, Thailand and India * Turquoise ring from Thailand * Ship ring from William Griffiths * Nail polish from Maybelline *

What To Wear When You Work From Home

Resist Track Pants

It’s super tempting to wear PJs or daggy sweat pants but that’s a mistake. You need to dress a little bit professionally because it resets your brain. You sleep in your pajamas and you do exercise in yoga pants, therefore they aren’t appropriate for work. Even if your workplace is in your home.

Wear Something Comfortable

There’s no need to wear a suit and 6 inch heels if you work from home unless you particularly want to. You can afford to wear something a little more casual than you would wear to an office. For instance if I worked in an office, I probably wouldn’t wear this dress without tights and I certainly wouldn’t wear it without a cardigan over the top. However I work from home so I can get away with showing a little more leg. You want to wear something professional, casual and versatile so you can quickly meet a client or pop to a lunch time event without feeling too under dressed, but you also want to wear something comfortable that you can wear all day without feeling like you want to rip all your clothes off.

Shoes Optional

I’m a huge fan of slip on shoes because I don’t wear shoes in my home but I’m constantly running out for meetings and errands. I wear lots of ballet flats and TOMS and they’re perfect for popping on quickly so I can run around for twenty minutes and then come home and kick them off again.

What do you wear to work? Suits? Jeans? Heels? Flats? What are your work attire suggestions?

18 Comments

  1. Seldom 10 years ago

    Urgh: I am about to start working from home, sharing a bedroom office with my partner. Am so tempted to just stay in my trackies, so very grateful for this. But one more question: how do you guys cope with working and living together in the same space? Any tips?

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      That’s a good question! We tend to be very strict and ignore each other or otherwise we get too distracted. So we’ll each wear noise cancelling headphones and work in our own bubble. We also work at cafes often which is nice and we have local baristas that we know really well and we’ll take the time to stop and chat to them when we get coffee so we don’t go stir crazy. Take lots of walks and take your breaks together but remember to be very careful not to distract each other. Good luck!

  2. You’ve inspired me to go back into my wardrobe and start again. I am so lazy when I work from home and only get dressed properly for meetings and events. Love this outfit on you x

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      Thank you love, that surprises me! I guess because you photograph yourself on the blog and you’re always dressed up for that and I only ever see you when we go out places so I just thought you were a natural glamourpuss always. That illusion is now broken! 🙂

  3. Sassa19 10 years ago

    This is so funny for me because it is practically unheard of for me to wear real clothes in my own house! PJs 90% of the time, trackies the other 10. I work in a v corporate office so I’m in heels, structured dresses, suit type things all day and as soon as I walk in the door it’s work clothes off… PJs on. I get all confused as to what I should wear when we have people over for dinner… Like, what I’m supposed to put on my jeans or a dress? Really? I totally get why this works for you but I’m giggling to myself picturing me on the couch in a cute dress & cardi…

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      Ha really? I guess I used to be like that before I worked from home but I taught (and still sometimes do) teach special needs kids and I’d get changed the second I got home because I was always so filthy. I relax around the house in maxi dresses and Metalicus stuff… I don’t own tracksuit pants. They’re just aren’t comfortable!

  4. LeeLee 10 years ago

    Actually just been thinking about this myself! As my work involves being able to move I and get into different parts of my emotional and intellectual range I need clothes which are functional and creative without being restrictive. I’m thinking of starting again in terms of key pieces as they get tatty so quickly. A good pair of funky boots and a smart jacket seem to be the trick to the run-out-the-door slash go-to-other-work times. I also find makeup literally wakes me up through my sensorial experience of them.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I totally agree! Make up is a huge one! Even if I know I’m not leaving the house I always do BB cream, blush and mascara… I honestly can’t work properly without doing that.

  5. FoxInFlats 10 years ago

    Love this Smags, but will admit I’m mostly a ‘get dressed in an outift’ to go out kinda gal, and once I’m home I’m in denim cut-offs and a tank, jewellery and shoes off. That said, if I’m feeling fiesty I’ve been known to put on bright red lipstick and a fur (faux of course) and heels and sit at my desk all alone in that kind of get up. LOL. Oh dear… Actually, might do something like that now… 😉 xxx

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I only wear jewellery out of the house but I definitely wear clothes when I work at home. PJs make me sleepy… I’m certainly of the school of getting dressed up like a queen in the middle of the day for no reason!

  6. Nikki | Styling You 10 years ago

    When I post my outfit photos and say this is my work-from-home outfit, I invariably get the why don’t you work in pjs comment? For starters, I do have to leave the house for the school run and post office pick up but like you I find if I just put a bit of effort into a smart casual outfit, I feel better equipped for the day ahead. Beside, there are lots of sneaky soft pants out there that feel as comfortable as pjs!

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I can’t even wear PJs all day when I’m sick… my day hasn’t started until I get out of my PJs. I’ll occasionally work from bed for an hour in the morning but only doing minor things like FBing. We’re an odd bread clearly Nikki!

  7. Alexa 10 years ago

    Hmmm, let’s see – I’m wearing gym pants from this morning, ditto the torn tee, and bare feet. I look so pulled together!

    I’m in the minority camp – I work from home all the time and stick in gym pants from the early morning or jeans. Sometimes a cotton dress. Whatever’s closest. Only when I have to go out for work meeting do I grab an outfit. Yes, I look worse for it but I can get straight into working, and I have so little time between school drop-off and pick-up.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      If you’re on a clock then you’ve got to do what’s comfortable! I just find that my brain isn’t prepared unless I’m wearing proper clothes. I’m a bit weird like that! 🙂

  8. Liz Posmyk 10 years ago

    Great post. Having just retired after working my entire life I now work from home as a writer. I need to be comfortable so, after a shower and a tiny dab of tinted moisturiser and mascara, capri yoga pants and a loose fitting tee is my new uniform. If I’m leaving the house, I will dress up and put my jewellery and make up on, but for now comfort is the key. : )

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      Showering is a massive part of it! I can’t get anything done without my morning shower!

      • Liz Posmyk 10 years ago

        I know exactly what you mean! Even if I’m going to the gym I shower beforehand! Have a great day!

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