If you’ve been wearing the same pair of trackies for the past month, same. Going from working in the office every day to working from home is a bit of a shock to the system.
But for someone like me, a freelancer, working from home is my normal. So I’m here to give you my top tips and picks for putting together the perfect WFH outfit to help you get through COVID-19 self-isolation.
WATCH: How you’re coping in self-isolation, according to your star sign. Post continues below.
Best work from home outfits.
At first, you may be overjoyed with the idea of wearing trackies and a casual tee to work every day but I hazard a guess you’ll soon grow to resent the constant comfort and will feel a little… frumpy. Frumpy and productivity do not go hand in hand, so let’s build a WFH dress code to help you go from bed to lounge productively.
Tip number one: Business on top, comfort on the bottom.
It’s WFH 101 right? A fancy blouse and PJ pants! But wearing comfortable bottoms isn’t exclusive to pyjama pants, I found some fantastic comfy but stylish trousers that are so much better than pyjamas and will still be office appropriate when you’re allowed to return to the daily grind.
The key to an amazing pair of WFH pants is fit, fabric and comfort. My must-have pair is currently the Palazzo Pants from 17 Sundays. Made from natural, lightweight, woven viscose, they have an elastic waistband and go up to a size 26! Their only fault is that they don’t have pockets, but when you’re working from home, who needs them?
For a little business on top you can’t go wrong with a basic longline shirt. It’s so simple, yet effective. And if you can’t be bothered ironing, a simple tee and some statement earrings will do the trick.
Here are two of my recent outfits working with this foolproof combo.
Brand: 17 Sundays
Top: Size 22
Pants: Size 24
Fit: Generous
Cost: $$
Brand: 17 Sundays
Top: Size 22
Pants: Size 24
Fit: Generous
Cost: $$
Tip number two: 'Dopamine dressing'.
Having a down day? Isolation life getting the best of you? Throw on something bright and colourful to lift your mood! Try colour blocking or throwing on a patterned top.
Wearing bright colours is a mood booster and something to talk to your co-workers about in your next Zoom conference. Add a pair of jeans on the bottom and no one will be the wiser.
My absolute favourite brand to brighten up my wardrobe at the moment is Embody Women. Stocking up to a size 22/26, their designs are bold, colourful and perfect for work and play. I love them.
There are no rules with dopamine dressing. Go hard, be bold! Personally I'm in favour of a bright top and more plain bottoms but that’s just me. Or you could wear a colourful dress - the world is your (online) oyster.
Brand: Embody Women
Top: Size 22
Fit: True to size
Cost: $$$
Brand: Embody Women
Dress: Size 22
Fit: True to size
Cost: $$$
Brand: Embody Women
Dress: Size 22
Fit: True to size
Cost: $$$
Tip number three: Be a boss.
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you aren’t going to get those pre-presentation jitters. You're still going to need to power pose every now and then and you are still going to need that confidence-boosting outfit. Dress like the boss you are.
How do we do this? With a blazer! A boss blazer is vital in any professional woman’s wardrobe, even when you work from home. Whether you don the whole power suit, a pencil skirt or jeans, a good blazer has the ability to change your vibe completely.
A good blazer needs three things:
- To be made of fabric that is breathable and (in my opinion) engaging.
- Have sleeves that fit comfortably around your arms.
- Fit properly around your waste.
The blazers I’m loving right now are from Atmos and Here (Sizes 6-26) and Mika Muse (Sizes 6-24), my favourite brands from The Iconic. I love to add a touch of colour to my outfit and these blazers are perfect for helping me channel my inner boss.
Brand: Embody Women
Blazer: Size 22
Fit: Generous
Cost: $$$
Brand: Mika Muse at The Iconic
Blazer: Size 24
Pants: Size 24
Fit: Generous
Cost: $
Brand: Atmos & Here at The Iconic
Blazer: Size 24
T-Shirt: Size 22
Fit: True to size
Cost: $
Working from home isn’t easy, but having a job that allows us to work from home is a blessing. Keeping in mind that many businesses are struggling right now, I have chosen to try Australian-based brands and hope that in the coming months we are able to give back to our economy and small businesses.
I also want to give a shout out to my neighbours who put up with my taking photos in front of our building, because lockdown laws don’t lead to a lot of background options.
Which WFH outfit is your favourite? Let us know in the comments.
Feature image: Supplied.