Are you self-employed or employed at a company and are working from home – permanently or for a while?
Working at home in the office requires much self-discipline – staying at home in front of your computer is not all online shopping and playing games, but it also has many advantages, such as not being stuck in rush hour traffic and feeling more comfortable in your own home. Besides, you don’t have to follow a formal dress code like in the office.
Some people think they can sit in front of the computer comfortably in their pajamas, holding a cup of coffee. Certainly, this can work, especially for those who have been accustomed to working from home for years, but it may not be the best way to go for everyone.
Your clothes and beyond
At the latest for video meetings and conferences, most people scurry out of their pajamas. And that is a good thing to do, even if you don’t have a video meeting.
However, clothes do influence your behavior and attitude, and thus, it is important, at least sometimes, to put yourself not just in a working mindset, but also in a working setting and clothes.
Imagine the following:
You want to convince a customer of your offer on the phone – no matter if it is a great service or a product.
Or, you want to discuss an important project with your team.
What position do you take – with somewhat disheveled hair, in sweatpants, baggy look or even in your pajamas?
What attitude do you take – freshly showered, a little bit dressed up?
How do your posture and voice change?
Clothing influences our inner posture and attitude. And we are already in the middle of a wonderful chain reaction. Because gestures, facial expressions and posture also change – and with them your voice and the way you speak. And this, by extension, influences everything.
For singers, an upright posture is especially important to give the voice the necessary space to allow it to be used at a maximum. It is no different with speaking. And so, it makes a big difference whether you are lying on the couch when talking to a customer on the phone or sitting upright at your desk.
It has been found that an appropriate outfit in the home office is even performance-enhancing and promotes concentrated and focused work.
Which outfit for the home office is the right one?
Even though clothing can influence our behavior, it does not mean that you have to sit alone in front of the computer in a formal gray suit. In most cases, that would probably be a bit overdressed.
However, this does not mean that you should not be well-dressed. In order to find out how you should actually dress when working remotely, you can engage in an exercise in imagination.
In this sense, you can imagine that a customer, employee or your boss could suddenly appear at your door unannounced.
What would be the “home office look” in which you would feel comfortable and also open the door with a good feeling?
The answer to this question will, of course, be given by your field of work. Those who work in banking will have, of course, a different answer than those working in an art gallery.
How to dress for a video conference?
Video conferences are extremely important. To make sure you are well-prepped for them, here are some tips you can consider for successful sartorial results:
At least your top should be very neat and elegant. It is better to do without hoodies and band shirts for these occasions, no matter in which field you work. If you want to keep it still casual, go for a nice shirt with a jersey blazer or a high-quality sweater or blouse.
Pay attention to patterns: In videos, small / restless patterns can cause a so-called moiré effect. This can often be seen in stripes and small checks. A flickering impression is created. Monochrome garments appear calmer and do not distract from you. It is best to test the effect of patterns before the meeting.
Choose fresh and not too dark colors. Black looks dull in videos and the contrast to your face can be very hard.
Additional tip: If you are wearing jewelry, such as chains, watches, etc., make sure that these do not rattle or disturb the sound when they touch something. For example, you are wearing a bracelet and lean on your laptop to type something; this may cause an annoying sound that will have everyone else go “turn down your mike!”
One more thing that needs to absolutely be pointed out is that, if you are uncertain as to how to dress for a video call, you should probably ask your colleagues, bosses or employees. Or, if you think this may not go well, you can simply dress very neutrally and stylish (think turtleneck shirt with an open blazer) and see how everyone else dresses. Some studies argue that people who imitate the way their bosses dress are most likely to get ahead when it comes to climbing the career ladder. It’s a trick of the unconscious mind with which you can play.
To conclude, it can be said that with a look that supports you in your productive work and with good time management, you most likely have great conditions to work successfully in your home office.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
Wearing a blazer and shirt combination: A guide
P.S. We want to hear from you! How do you dress when you are working remotely? Why? How do other people you know dress for their home office? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!