Tips for creating work-from-home outfits that also transition out of the home

When I wrote this post more than 12 months ago, I really did not think we’d still be here talking about tips for creating work-from-home outfits.

Did you?

I was somewhat of a veteran in this working-from-home business at the time, having only just moved our office out of home. The tips I shared were ones I’d implemented for the many years I’d worked at home after leaping out of my journalism career.

Since that post, people have returned to offices (full or part-time) and, at various points across the past year, have had to head back home again. Many of you are full-time working from home right now. 

Zoe Moss cardi (I’m in S/M) | FRANKiE4 Footwear LOUiSE boots | Styling You The Label pant 

In a nutshell, I start from the principle of 3Gs: Get up. Get dressed. Get on with it. And then, hopefully, I’ll get sh*&t done.

Routine and consistency works for me. It may, or may not, work for you.

When it comes to creating work-from-home outfits, it’s no surprise that active wear and tracksuit set sales have soared in the past 12 months. Comfort, is, well, comforting. And I’m here for it.

I do wonder if we’ll ever swing back to full corporate, if and when offices fully open up. I think (and we’ve seen glimpses of that already) what we wear Monday-Friday will become a hybrid combination of work-from-home outfits and pieces we used to wear just for the office. I’m here for that too.

It really is about having pieces in your wardrobe that can be dressed up or down depending on whether you’re working at home, logging in for video calls, or heading out for meetings. It’s finding that balance of comfort and feeling “put together” professional that is key. 

I talk more about this in my IGTV video below.

Tips for creating work-from-home outfits

1. Invest in comfortable pants. You’re sitting down a lot. No-one’s got time or energy for waistbands that dig in. Wear your comfiest of jeans; wear your favourite active wear; pop on our best-selling ponte joggy pants. Feeling good in what you’re sitting down in allows you to concentrate on what’s likely to be seen the most – the top half. 

2. Create interest from the waist up. This is what people will see in Zoom meetings. For me, clothes help me to get a handle on someone’s personality. Shine yours out through that video square by choosing clothing that reflects your personality but fits in with any culture/work dress policies.

3. Accessorise with intent. I’m big on this whether it’s part of work-from-outfits or leaving-the-home outfits. I use my hands a lot, so love rings or bracelets (as long as they don’t jangle for video meetings). Accessories like earrings or necklaces frame the face and are things that people notice. They’re conversation ice-breakers on video and in real life.

4. Wear shoes that support your feet. From my years of being an ambassador for FRANKiE4 Footwear, I’ve learned from podiatrists that the worse thing we can do for our foot and leg health is go lengthy periods of time barefoot on hard floors and surfaces. I’ll either wear sneakers or a pair of home boots. 

5. Invest in outwear pieces that pull together an otherwise casual outfit. Think blazers over a jeans and tee outfit or a trench coat over a tracksuit set.

6. When buying clothes, buy more that can be either dressed up or down. Think: does this pass The Sneaker Test. Conversely, can an otherwise casual piece be dressed up with heels for lunch or dinner out.

7. Pop on a face. Or not. It really does help me feel confident for work calls at home or meetings out of the office. I’m of the less is more approach here.

So, tell me, if you previously went to work in an office every day, what do you do now? What do you mostly wear?