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What to wear when You work from Home
Wilmington, DE
Thursday, April 17, 2008
You may have replaced your long commute to the office with the choice to work from home, but that's no excuse to lounge around on your computer in your p.j.'s, messy hair and bunny slippers.
While some may say who cares what you wear, as long as you are comfortable because no one is ever going to see you anyhow, the truth is this. When you look professional, you feel more professional and it shows in your bottom line.
Now let's be realistic, a business suit, pantyhose and conservative pumps is just plain silly when you are working alone at home. But there is a point to be made about dressing better than your "I'm sick- get me under the covers and don't bother me" outfit.
The key is to dress appropriately,which means dress more casually than you would in the outside work world, but still look sharp, not sloppy.
Simple streamlined outfits and excellent grooming is the key to a successful work at home look. A sloppy appearance equals a sloppy attitude and a sloppy work ethic.
Respect yourself by looking like the professional businessperson you are.
Here are 5 guidelines for dressing when you work from Home:
1. Create a work at home wardrobe
It's the same ideas as having a business wardrobe if you worked outside of the home. Set aside a certain of money towards this clothing and reserve your home office wardrobe for just that, so that it feels special.
Don't assume co-coordinating tops and bottoms are all you need for your work at home look. Think ahead to days when you may have to run out to a meeting or pick up something for your business. Then you may need a jacket to finish your look. A jacket is also a great way to take you from home office out to dinner once your day is done.
2. Don't let Comfy mean Frumpy
Yes, you want to feel relaxed and comfortable, but there are lots of stylish choices out there besides worn out jeans or whatever is in your closet that day. Even though it is tempting to throw on a tired sweat suit, try something else comfy. Knit stretch tops and pants with elastic waistbands are comfy and cozy, but will still keep you in the right frame of mind to do business.
3. Stay Tuned to Style
Keep it simple when working at home, but stay current on what's in style. You don't want to go out for a coffee meeting and realize you've been hold up in your house for so long you look like you are caught in a fashion time warp. Accessories are a great way to look current. For example, a great belt can say modern and with it as can a fashionable handbag, necklace or pair of shoes.
4. Punch up Your Wardrobe with Color
Working at home can be lonely and it's easy to get into a dreary rut by wearing boring colors. Lift your spirits, as well as feel more confident, creative and productive, by getting yourself out of black pants or blue jeans and into some brighter clothes.
5. Allow yourself a Casual Friday outfit
One of the big benefits of working from home is you can pop off to the gym anytime you please, and on those days when there is just not much happening at your home office, you may not want stay very casual. Consider these days your Casual Dress down Fridays the way the do in the corporate world.
Give yourself permission to wear a workout outfit—but not just any old one!! Pick a workout suite that still looks neat and pulled together. Stand out from the crowd in a patterned tank top with co-coordinating jacket and pants. Accent with fun accessories.
6. Make time for Hair and Make-up
When you look good you feel good, and it makes a difference in how you interact with others, even if it's just over the phone or computer. While it's tempting to throw your hair up in a ponytail and forget he make-up, after days and days of this you are going to feel very much like a frump.
If you don't wear make-up for work, soon you won't want to be bothered wearing it anytime. A little blush, lipstick and mascara (it only takes 4 minutes) is all you need to freshen you up and make you look great. As for the hair, if it's just too much hassle, then consider that a sign that you need a fabulous new cut that works better for your at home lifestyle.
7. Keep a pair of chic shoes by your desk
Granted, you probably won't be wearing shoes in your home office, but you'll need a pair when you step out, because there's nothing like ruining your credibility like showing up to meet someone in a pair of dirty tennis shoes.
Keep a classy pair of casual shoes like some chic ballet flats next to your desk so you'll be ready at a moment's notice if you need to go out and see a client. It's details like this that make the difference and show others that you truly are professional and not a rinky dink businessperson running a half baked business out of your basement.
About The Glam Gals:
Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler (The Glam Gals) are Image and Style Experts specializing in helping women 40 plus look and feel fabulous. They are the authors of the e-book, The Glam Plan~ 12 Simple Steps to Take You from Frumpy to Fabulous, as well as coaches for their Tweak Your Chic™, Image make-over program. For more tips go to: www.fabulousafter40.com and sign up for their bi-weekly newsletter.
You can also contact them at: info@fabulousafter40.com
While some may say who cares what you wear, as long as you are comfortable because no one is ever going to see you anyhow, the truth is this. When you look professional, you feel more professional and it shows in your bottom line.
Now let's be realistic, a business suit, pantyhose and conservative pumps is just plain silly when you are working alone at home. But there is a point to be made about dressing better than your "I'm sick- get me under the covers and don't bother me" outfit.
The key is to dress appropriately,which means dress more casually than you would in the outside work world, but still look sharp, not sloppy.
Simple streamlined outfits and excellent grooming is the key to a successful work at home look. A sloppy appearance equals a sloppy attitude and a sloppy work ethic.
Respect yourself by looking like the professional businessperson you are.
Here are 5 guidelines for dressing when you work from Home:
1. Create a work at home wardrobe
It's the same ideas as having a business wardrobe if you worked outside of the home. Set aside a certain of money towards this clothing and reserve your home office wardrobe for just that, so that it feels special.
Don't assume co-coordinating tops and bottoms are all you need for your work at home look. Think ahead to days when you may have to run out to a meeting or pick up something for your business. Then you may need a jacket to finish your look. A jacket is also a great way to take you from home office out to dinner once your day is done.
2. Don't let Comfy mean Frumpy
Yes, you want to feel relaxed and comfortable, but there are lots of stylish choices out there besides worn out jeans or whatever is in your closet that day. Even though it is tempting to throw on a tired sweat suit, try something else comfy. Knit stretch tops and pants with elastic waistbands are comfy and cozy, but will still keep you in the right frame of mind to do business.
3. Stay Tuned to Style
Keep it simple when working at home, but stay current on what's in style. You don't want to go out for a coffee meeting and realize you've been hold up in your house for so long you look like you are caught in a fashion time warp. Accessories are a great way to look current. For example, a great belt can say modern and with it as can a fashionable handbag, necklace or pair of shoes.
4. Punch up Your Wardrobe with Color
Working at home can be lonely and it's easy to get into a dreary rut by wearing boring colors. Lift your spirits, as well as feel more confident, creative and productive, by getting yourself out of black pants or blue jeans and into some brighter clothes.
5. Allow yourself a Casual Friday outfit
One of the big benefits of working from home is you can pop off to the gym anytime you please, and on those days when there is just not much happening at your home office, you may not want stay very casual. Consider these days your Casual Dress down Fridays the way the do in the corporate world.
Give yourself permission to wear a workout outfit—but not just any old one!! Pick a workout suite that still looks neat and pulled together. Stand out from the crowd in a patterned tank top with co-coordinating jacket and pants. Accent with fun accessories.
6. Make time for Hair and Make-up
When you look good you feel good, and it makes a difference in how you interact with others, even if it's just over the phone or computer. While it's tempting to throw your hair up in a ponytail and forget he make-up, after days and days of this you are going to feel very much like a frump.
If you don't wear make-up for work, soon you won't want to be bothered wearing it anytime. A little blush, lipstick and mascara (it only takes 4 minutes) is all you need to freshen you up and make you look great. As for the hair, if it's just too much hassle, then consider that a sign that you need a fabulous new cut that works better for your at home lifestyle.
7. Keep a pair of chic shoes by your desk
Granted, you probably won't be wearing shoes in your home office, but you'll need a pair when you step out, because there's nothing like ruining your credibility like showing up to meet someone in a pair of dirty tennis shoes.
Keep a classy pair of casual shoes like some chic ballet flats next to your desk so you'll be ready at a moment's notice if you need to go out and see a client. It's details like this that make the difference and show others that you truly are professional and not a rinky dink businessperson running a half baked business out of your basement.
About The Glam Gals:
Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler (The Glam Gals) are Image and Style Experts specializing in helping women 40 plus look and feel fabulous. They are the authors of the e-book, The Glam Plan~ 12 Simple Steps to Take You from Frumpy to Fabulous, as well as coaches for their Tweak Your Chic™, Image make-over program. For more tips go to: www.fabulousafter40.com and sign up for their bi-weekly newsletter.
You can also contact them at: info@fabulousafter40.com
JoJami Tyler
The Glam Gals
Fabulous after 40
Wilmington, DE
302-893-2111
