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WFH - What to wear?

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WFH - What to wear?

For those who work from home most the time, and mostly see clients and colleagues through Teams or Zoom, what do you wear. I'm WFH almost 100%, and while I can wear whatever I want I sometimes feel that what you wear can help set your mindset.

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  1. Anonymous

    WFH attire for Zoom meetings: Attractive shell or top with coordinated lightweight jacket or sweater over black leggings. Light makeup to make me feel more polished.

  2. Sarah Bilotti

    I have been WFH since before the pandemic and have filled my wardrobe with layering pieces. Light color, dressy tanks or t-shirts under a cardigan but always paired with a nice necklace.

    I agree- being put together as if I were going out of the house, helps boost my mood and productivity for the day.

  3. Barbara Sonin

    When I'm working from home, I wear what I would wear in the office -- but skip the shoes and (if I'm wearing a jacket or cardigan) the bra.

  4. Anonymous

    I've just started getting wireless bamboo bras. Very comfy (but I feel at home bras).

  5. Anonymous

    I was a teacher and noticed the same thing. Also, I was a high school teacher and when I had a challenging cohort to take I found my clothes and make-up gave me a confidence boost.

  6. Anonymous

    Thanks for the replies. Very helpful.

  7. Anonymous

    Exactly! One of the downsides of working from home is that it is really easy to let yourself go, and suddenly realizing that you’re trying to make on camera you look like you took a shower.

    Make it a habit to get up and do what you would normally do if you were working in person. Shower, breakfast, dress nicely (on the top, anyway), and treat the walk to your workspace like the morning commute. Also, get.out.of.the.house everyday. Take a walk, etc.

  8. Maggie Stone

    I don’t think the rules change for at home work. Professional dress codes apply. during working hours. Unexpected meetings come up.

  9. Erica Nicholas

    When I was working from home, I kept an appropriate shirt nearby so I could grab it to throw on for meetings.

  10. Anonymous

    I always put on a bra and change out of my PJs...

  11. Julie McGovern, EdD

    I taught remotely for 15 months during the pandemic. While I wore jeans and slippers every day, I always took a shower, put on make-up, and wore a nice top. Although my 14-year-old students showed up in PJs, I felt better about myself and the situation we were all thrown into by dressing the part.

  12. Anonymous

    From the view point up when on Zoom or other video calls business only.

  13. Anonymous

    Such a timely post!
    I had a zoom meeting with an acquaintance yesterday who unfortunately lost her job around Thanksgiving. She was setting up informational meetings with her network. She dialed into the meeting looking disheveled and unkempt. I believe she was still in her pajamas. To be clear, I would never have expected her to show up in a suit or formal workwear but I wish she had read some of the advice on this post about being polished while on camera.

    I came out of that meeting thinking: wouldn’t lend my name to a recommendation for this woman as her casual approach could reflect badly on me. She’s senior in her career path and this oversight seemed like a rookie mistake.

    I’d like to think that these things don’t matter but they 100% do! We’re fools to think that as women we’re not judged on our appearance.

    I know what some of the pushback will be to this post: why perpetuate the stereotype that you sit here and criticize? I hold myself to a high professional standard and I expect the same out of people asking me for help.

    Great thread!

  14. Anonymous

    Good point! I think, even for men, looking professional on the job is considered important. My husband is an accountant who often works from home and also looks polished in client meetings. Would you trust an accountant who didn't?

  15. Anonymous

    Precisely!!

  16. Anonymous

    Thank you. Really great points and advice from everyone.

  17. Anonymous

    I have worked from home since well before the pandemic. Nice blouse or sweater, hair done ( for me that means wet hair and air dry -- very curly hair) a bit of eye makeup and lip gloss. I usuallynwear shorts or leggings on the bottom and no shoes but yes to socks. Basically business casual on the top, very comfortable on the bottom.

    If going to a client site, I would wear same items on top Paired with business slacks.

  18. Anonymous

    Always dress for work, at least from the waist up. Fix your hair and makeup and any coordinating scarf or jewelry. That way you can always jump on a video call at a moment’s notice.

  19. Cara Gardner

    Love this thread of comments! I very much agree with everyone, and its about dressing up the top half.

    Interestingly I was just with a company and So many folks came in hoodies, tank tops, like they just rolled out of bed and sat at their desk. We Had to be on-camera with Every meeting, and we had a lot of meetings. So it wasnt like they were not having to be seen.

    Whereas I came with the mindset that I was going to dress like I was going to work. Did my hair, typically wore a blazer and then accessorized.

    Amazing how easy it is to throw on a blazer over a simple top and it takes it up a notch.

    I would receive compliments regularly because I was dressed so nicely.

    For me, dressing up made me feel good, and helped get into the work day,

  20. Anonymous

    I've been WFH since 2017. I have a wardrobe filled with professional tops and maybe three black leggings.

  21. Anonymous

    For clients, I do cute work outfits on top and sweats on the bottom. There are days when I only did the front of my hair. But don’t ever wear short-shorts. If you bump the camera on accident and it drops, everyone will think you’re in your underwear.

  22. Nancy Halpern Lesser

    I dressed all the way through the pandemic (tho I wore slippers a lot). I like to feel professional.

  23. surfnwrite

    I wear my pajamas. My camera is off.

  24. Anonymous

    Oo that's interesting. I always feel a bit icky being in my PJs all day, but I know I'm an out lier

  25. surfnwrite

    I go for a run or workout a few hours into the day, and then I take a shower and put on regular clothes, but always casual, usually a T shirt and shorts.

  26. Liz Milne

    When I started WFH, long time ago, well before video calls were common, the accepted wisdom was to dress for work during working hours as it helps to put your 'work head' on. I wouldn't go that far these days, but definitely dressed, hair brushed and face washed, so you know you're properly awake would be my advice (it works for me!)

  27. Kate Hopkins

    I often put on a colorful scarf when I'm doing a WFH meeting - that way I can dress up a fairly plain top.

  28. Lori

    I tend to wear leggings but always wear a blouse of some kind. Like Mr Rogers, I have a cardigan I put on when working which I have a selection of scarves to dress it up with. Having specific type or clothes you’re wearing for work also helps others when may also be home KNOW you are AT WORK and ON the clock and need minimal if any distractions. I also got a rotating sign that I turn to let others know I need quiet, no distractions etc since I sometimes take off normal hours meetings to accommodate different time zones. Those things have helped significantly put me in total work mode and focused.

  29. Kinnessa
    Lol, I used to rock hoodies every day when WFH, but then I noticed I felt way too chill to get stuff done. Now I do “half office” fits—nice top, comfy bottoms. I know right? It’s like tricking your brain into work mode. If you’re stuck on ideas, you could contact stitch fix for some inspo.
  30. SproonkyWeb
    Figuring out what to wear for an event got easier when I grabbed a spider hoodie that balances loud graphics with genuine quality. The rhinestone details and bold prints read from stage to sidewalk, making it a statement piece that doesn't need much else. I appreciate platforms that authenticate every item, checking production quirks so you know the garment matches what the line actually shipped. It's collectible streetwear you can wear hard without doubting its legitimacy.

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