Remote Wardrobe: An Essential Guide for WFH Clothes

What to Wear When Working Remotely?

Did you know that a Pew Research Center study in 2023 conducted for the U.S. showed that employees aged 18 and above working remotely were roughly 14% of all employed adults? ¹ When you consider the fact that remote work has only been in the limelight since the COVID pandemic, 14% in just around 4 years is an impressive figure. This transition has had a profound impact on how people work, connect, and behave. Interestingly this has also changed how wfh clothes look for different people.

Certainly, among the many liberties of remote work is the freedom to dress, mostly, as you please. This often means dressing for comfort and productivity, which is quite different from the office environment dress ethics we see in the industry with dress shirts, ties, and all. In this microblog, let’s look at what you should consider while dressing when working remotely. Whether you’re a full-time remote worker or a hybrid work enthusiast, our guide to WFH clothes will ensure you are comfortable while staying productive.

The Rise of WFH Fashion: Comfort Meets Professionalism

So it wasn’t always the case that people could be considered professionals even if they were in their morning pajamas. But with the prospect of remote work, our work is truly defined by just that, and not by our commute or attire.

Similarly, as productivity and professionalism creep into our homes, the line between them has blended. And now, most WFH employees feel that the art of balancing comfort and professional appearance is among their primary concerns.

While remote work does obviate your need to be physically present in front of people, the multitude of video conferences is enough to merit some consideration over what to wear.

Fabrics That Feel Good and Look Great on Camera

So, let’s think about what should a set of WFH clothes look like.

Free from the concerns of codes and office standards, all remote employees are left with what they think is a professional outlook when video conferencing. And for the remainder of the time, most employees focus on donning the best materials for all-day comfort.

This is no surprise, as comfort and productivity go hand in hand for any day-long office worker.

So naturally, the decision to clothe yourself for a WFH environment oscillates between ultra-comfortable attire and the look of professionalism, whatever that might mean to you.

Dressing for Success: The Psychology of WFH Attire

A study conducted by professors at the Fox School of Business in Temple University titled Wearing Your Worth at Work: The Consequences of Employees’ Daily Clothing Choices suggests that those employees who dressed better than they usually did had a stronger sense of self-esteem and performed better on tasks. ²

It is important also to highlight here that, according to the study, conforming to office norms also boosts productivity, even if that’s the case with casual clothes over Friday.

So, psychologically, your mind is wired to perform better when you think you are dressed appropriately, or at least how the others are.

Factors to Consider When Dressing for Remote Work

Among the factors that should determine the way you dress during a WFH routine should include some or all of the following

• Time taken to dress up.
• Maintenance of clothes i.e. the requirement for ironing or frequent washing.
• The comfort of the clothes including their texture, form, etc.
• How long do you have to sit in front of the screen?
• Company dress codes or lack thereof.
• What makes you look professional?

Best WFH Clothing

So what is the best way to clothe yourself while working remotely? The short answer that we can gather from what we’ve learned is: go with whatever makes you feel better about yourself and your work environment. And even if that means blending with the company policy, yes, that should do you better.

However, comfort is also just as important at home, and, that is especially true when you’re not presenting yourself by any visual means. Enter comfortable clothing: from gym trousers to pajamas, and, from tees to tops. All is game in the world of remote work when you’re not presenting yourself.

So wrapping up, the best WFH clothing can be:

• Comfortable tees or tops
• Athleisure to get you into shape and stay fit while being productive
• Comfortable bottoms for all-day wear like trousers, shorts, or even pajamas
• Taking into account temperature control and the environment
• Clothing that conforms to office policy or dress code such as suits, shirts, etc.
• Accessories that make a statement such as watches, bracelets, etc.

WFH Dress Code or Policy: Navigating the New Normal

With remote work considered normal in many office environments, certain dress codes or policy matters are sure to be effective. Increasingly policies are being made that address remote or hybrid work model workers too. Remote workers should align themselves with the policies by understanding company expectations.

Dressing up for video calls is part of the office experience and you should do whatever possible to minimize the disconnect. This can be done by putting on clothes which do not make you stand out especially if any on-location workers are present. A proper video-call etiquette will go a long way.

What To Wear When Working Remotely

Whether you’re a remote worker or working on a hybrid model, your work lifestyle will blend your personal and professional boundaries. This often results in a confused relationship with the way you dress. However, a good dressing regimen doesn’t necessarily negatively impact your productivity or mood. in fact, with the freedoms that remote work offers, you can easily curate a clothing style based on the specific requirements of your work environment.

So, regardless of the nature of how you WFH, it would benefit you to consider optimizing your wardrobe for your remote success. We hope this beginner’s guide sheds some light on the importance and impact of dressing in a manner that breeds confidence and boosts productivity.

To read more about the essentials required for a home office, head over to our Home Office section.

To understand why the future of remote work is secure, read our blog in the Remote Work section.

References

1. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/30/about-a-third-of-us-workers-who-can-work-from-home-do-so-all-the-time/ ↩︎
2. Kim, J. K., Holtz, B. C., & Vogel, R. M. (2023). Wearing Your Worth at Work: The consequences of employees’ daily clothing choices. Academy of Management Journal, 66(5), 1411–1437. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2021.1358 ↩︎