According to the Pew Research Center, 14% of all employed adults in the US work from home full-time, and 41% of workers follow a hybrid model. As remote work continues to grow in popularity, so does the uncertainty around appropriate work-from-home attire.
How should you dress when no one’s going to see you, but you still want to look (and feel) good?
We’ve heard this for years from our personal styling clients. The good news is that with the rise of athleisure, there are plenty of polished options for WFH outfits.
If you want to know:
- What you’re getting wrong about WFH style
- Why it matters how you dress while working at home
- 6 top comfortable yet presentable WFH outfits
You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for the full 411.
The 3 Biggest Myths About Work From Home Style
First, let’s address the elephants in the room. From working with over 250+ clients of all ages and sizes, we know there are major misconceptions about WFH style. Here are the three biggest myths about why they’re wrong.
1. “It’s going to be uncomfortable.”
This first idea about working from home outfits is not true. So many folks think that you have to choose one: either be stylish or be comfortable. Thankfully, there have been so many advances in fabric technology. Now, there are way more hybrid fabric options and new ways to add elasticity and softness to materials without looking sloppy.
Think new form-fitting silhouettes that allow you to move or pants with elastic waistbands to keep you looking put together through body changes.
Can you be comfortable and well-dressed? Yes! You just need to have the right pieces in the right colors and the right fit in your closet. (AKA, you need to follow the Next Level Wardrobe Style System.)
2. “Who cares! No one is going to see me anyway.”
We all have those low-key days when we just don’t see the point in putting on a full outfit. We get it. When you have a day without video calls and you just want to focus, it’s fine to do that every once in a while.
What you don’t want to do is get into a routine of doing this. Why? Because your attitude about how you look can seep into all aspects of your life. It can make you resist dressing well when you do leave the house. Or cause you to not want to step out altogether.
This can ultimately lead to a huge snowball effect. Here’s what we mean:
If you aren’t dressed up while working from home, you probably won’t take the time to clean and organize your closet. You won’t be thoughtful about when you do need actually to get dressed. And let’s be honest, your style skills will deteriorate. In the long run, this can cause you to waste more time, energy, and even money.
Style is a skill you can continue to improve, just like weightlifting, public speaking, cooking, and so many other life skills. The more you practice, the better you become.
Just look what our client Jennifer had to say on the subject:
3. “I don’t want to wear my nice clothing at home! No one will see me!”
We’ve found that many people don’t want to “waste” an outfit when they work from home. But then, they never wear their clothing because that time never comes. They hold their clothing so preciously that they can’t actually enjoy them.
Clothing is meant to be worn, used, and loved. What’s the point of all your “good clothes” just sitting in your closet, collecting dust? Stop waiting for a special occasion to feel good in your clothes and how you present yourself to the world.
Why it Matters What You Wear as You Work From Home
What you wear when you work from home matters for two reasons:
- It affects your mindset and productivity.
- It affects how others perceive you.
To tackle that first point, there is an actual psychology behind dressing according to your mindset. Studies show that your mentality changes when you get up, change, and put on a well-styled outfit before work. You feel more prepared for the day and increase your motivation. And yes, this includes what you wear as you work from home.
The second reason why you should always put on a great work-from-home outfit is because of first impressions. You want to look presentable over the camera if you have presentations or online calls. If you’re meeting someone for the first time via Zoom, you want to make the best first impression possible.
Studies suggest that it takes less than 7 seconds for someone to make a lifetime’s worth of impressions and assumptions about you. And, by extension, your brand and business. You would care what a potential client, coworker, or hiree thought of you in person, right?
Being online is no different. You want your personal brand aligned with who you are and consistent with how you present yourself.
Best Work-from-Home Outfit Ideas for Men
Now that you know why WFH style matters, let’s get to the best bit: our outfit ideas. Here, we’ve collected the best work-from-home outfits for men, regardless of your day.
(Don’t worry, ladies; your outfit and product recommendations are in the next section!)
Your Day: A Big Presentation/Call
A big presentation or call is the most important time to dress up your work-from-home style.
A simple way to upgrade an outfit is to add a layering piece. A jacket, shacket, or cardigan can frame your outfit and add visual interest.
Product by Mr. P, shop here.
Try something like this overcoat from Mr.P on top of a dark grey or navy blue T-shirt.
Then, on the bottom, go for a hybrid pair of pants like these joggers from Peserico pictured below. (Yes, please wear a complete outfit, including pants! You don’t want any embarrassing stand-up-and-everyone-sees-your-in-boxers situations.)
Product by Peserico, shop here.
Think of these as the big brother to sweatpants. The pleated detail at the front and the crease make these dressier than sweats. At the same time, the elastic waist and the comfortable wool fabrication mean comfort for you.
They look sophisticated and modern and easy to dress up and down for any occasion.
Your Day: Calls and Errands Outside of Home
This might be your more typical work day. You don’t have big presentations, but you do have a meeting or two and need to run errands.
For this, start with a polo like Sandro’s slim-fit option.
Product by Sandro, shop here.
Polos get a bad rap, but there are plenty of well-made, stylish, contemporary options.
We recommend them on a day like this because the collar adds a dash of formality without being over the top. Plus, they’re comfy!
Wear these business casual (yes, polos are business casual!) knits in a core color for easy outfitting. Chocolate brown is a popular choice right now, for example.
Now, what to wear on bottom?
Product by rag & bone, shop here.
For this, we recommend linen pants. Linen is so breathable and easy-going. It’ll move with you throughout the day so you don’t overheat while running errands. And, partnered with the short-sleeved polo, it makes for the perfect spring or summer look.
Your Day: No Calls
Ah, the highly coveted “no calls” day. These are the days that many work-from-homers dream of. It’s the day when you don’t have to turn your camera on and can just get things done.
So, we’ll give you a treat and start you off with a hoodie.
Product by Peserico, shop here.
Let’s be honest, you want to be comfortable, but you don’t have to sacrifice style. This option from Peserico is equally comfy and trend-aware.
We love the heather gray color because it’s great for year-round wear. You can wear this over a tee in any color you want.
Product by Mack Weldon, shop here.
Partner it with these sweats from Mack Weldon. This is one of our favorite brands for men’s basics. Everything we’ve tried is well-made, soft, and fits like a dream.
The tapered leg feels more put together than traditional sweats, too.
If you have to leave the house, pop on a pair of white sneakers. But if you’re just at home today, you have our permission to stick to slippers.
Best Work-from-Home Outfit Ideas for Women
Men, you’re all set. Now it’s time for our best work-from-home outfit ideas for women.
Your Day: A Big Presentation/Call
You’ve got an important meeting to dress for or a big presentation to head up. That means you need to dress to impress. For this, we recommend a dress.
Product by Lauren Ralph Lauren, shop here.
Yep, you read that right. Dresses are easy to wear. They’re a literal one-and-done outfit: throw one on and go. But they can also be comfortable if you opt for a knit piece like this one from Ralph Lauren.
We love this dress because the color works all year, and the style is dressy enough to wear in person too.
If you want to amp it up, add jewelry like gold earrings or a pendant necklace.
Your Day: Calls and Errands Outside of Home
This is your version of a hybrid day of sorts. You have some video calls on your calendar, but you also need to run errands. Basically, think of this as your business casual (or as we like to call it, power casual) day.
Kick off your look with a knit top.
Product by C by Bloomingdale’s Cashmere, shop here.
We vote for a cashmere sweater, like this piece from C by Bloomingdale. Why? Well for one, knitwear is an essential for your wardrobe.
Knits work for casual outfits as well as business ensembles. Wearing a sweater like the one above reads as warm and inviting, while also being cozy to wear.
This will look great on camera with minimal effort.
Since you’ll be leaving your house, we want to partner this top with a chic pant.
Product by ba&sh, shop here.
We like these silky wide legs from Ba&sh. The wide leg silhouettes offer breathability and mobility. At the same time, the high-rise fit is one of our favorites since it’s universally flattering.
Additionally, the side pocket cargo detail gives your look a dash of modern, casual coolness.
If it’s hot outside, complete this outfit with sandals or wedges. For cooler weather, sneakers or boots get the job done.
Your Day: No Calls
At last, you’ve reached a call-free day on your calendar. Time to let athleisure reign supreme. For this, our recommendation may surprise you: go with a jumpsuit.
Product by Beyond Yoga, shop here.
A sporty one-piece like this one from Beyond Yoga is both cute and comfortable. The stretchy material will move with you throughout the day and allow you to focus on the task at hand.
Why a jumpsuit? Just like dresses, they’re a one and done. No fussing around with coordinating separates. Just pull this on and you can dive straight into your to-do list.
Elevate your work-from-home wardrobe with expert styling services
There you have it, your easy explainer on work-from-home outfits and style. If you need more inspiration or want professional help getting your WFH wardrobe right, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with Next Level Wardrobe’s styling services for men and women. We’ll edit your closet, develop a personalized shopping experience, and teach you how to take the stress out of style.
