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Tell the Truth: What do you really wear when you work from home? (Moms, too)

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Now that I've found out that I have a torn meniscus in my knee and, thanks to a visit to the podiatrist today, some pressing issues in my foot (both on the same side, of course!), I'm pretty much going to be wearing my sneakers (read: athletic shoes) for the next few weeks. I have a couple other pairs of shoes I can wear, but they're also very casual and "sneaker-y." That got me to thinking about what I wear when working from home. I have some nice pieces that are good for going out, but I need to be realistic here. I'm often ill, and, when I'm feeling up to it, I'm a writer. I need to follow Angie's rule and dress for the life I have. I have to be comfortable, but I also don't want to look like a complete slob. Even with my sneaks. I saw marin's post today; it kind of coalesced my thinking. So, fabbers, what kinds of things do you wear, especially on your feet, when you work from home? I could use some of your wonderful ideas. Many thanks in advance.

ETA: I'd love to hear from Moms, too. You are, of course, working at home!

Dressing

54 replies

Latest reply was from BethL

cciele

Veteran

I don't wear shoes at home Socks, if my feet are cold.

Right now I am wearing pajamas jeans and a t-shirt, no socks.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Depending on my mood, I wear anything from trackpants and sweaters to jeans and shirts, or dresses with heels. Yes, it has happened, but not very often. Adding a nice sweater, shirt or top can make all the difference to a meh work from home-day. I often wear nice shoes, though, particularly in winter when I am forced to wear boots and snow boots much of the time outdoors.

deb

Veteran

I hurt my tibial tendon last year so I need orthotics in my shoes. I was stumped for slippers but I found that Sperry topsiders have a good arch support and fo not hurt when I wear them They are now designated slipper. the beginning of this month I could not figure out what I was going to do for the summer months. Then I found these, ordered them in the navy and they work great. No pain. I also ordered these in the saddle color.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

sweats and p.j. thats why I stopped telecommuting

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

The reason I don't push my employer to let me work from home is that I KNOW I will just be in workout gear all day long and my pretty clothes will just sit in the closet.

Diana

Veteran

I wear loungewear. No shoes, no bra, no socks. Slippers if it is cold.

BUT I work from home like once a month, if that. If it was a regular thing, I'd consider actually getting dressed for it. Still no shoes or socks though; I never wear them in the house.

Von

Veteran

Usually I get dressed in something involving jeans, more than likely I'll be going somewhere else during the day, so I want to keep it presentable. If I'm trying to squeeze in a run later, I'll get up in the morning & dress in running clothes to save time.

Definitely no shoes on in the house, I hate wearing shoes if I don't have to. On a day where I won't leave the house at all, oversized jogging pants + tank tops or tees. Totally unpresentable!

Gigi

Veteran

I generally work from home—but sans shoes. I just wear socks, like cciele, unless it's summer, when I go barefoot or wear slippers.

For clothes, I wear casual things. But they're not "loungewear," as some people here call it. They're nice clothes, just not suited to an office. Well, I suppose a third of my outfits would work for a business casual environment. The ones that wouldn't would be disqualified because (1) they would involve jeans or (2) the skirt would be too short, more than a couple of inches above my knee. Today, I have on my BR cream skinnies and a long-sleeve ruffled henley from Loft. The top would definitely qualify for a business casual dress code; the skinnies are nice, but they are still jeans, so they would probably be out.

I do find that what you wear reflects what you think of yourself, even if no one else is around. So I always dress up to work from home. I did this even before I became interested in fashion. But shoes...hmm, I'll have to think about adding that to my daily routine!

deb

Veteran

Oh, and for clothes, I dress smart casual, as if I might go out to lunch. I feel better and do better work when I am put together. My medical issues do catch up with me periodically during the day so I do lay down for a while. I also put on makeup every day. This helps when I look in the mirror.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

My partner is Canadian, so we have always been a no-outside-shoe-on-in-the-house home. Americans don't always seem to do that. I've always had "house shoes" or slippers, so that my fragile foot would have some support. Now, though, unless I'm going to buy another pair of my very expensive sneakers, that has changed a bit.

Thanks for being so honest, everyone. I have a no sweatpants rule in place, unless I'm going to exercise (or to physical therapy) or really sick. It affects my mood too much if I let myself get really sloppy. I typically wear jeans and some kind of sweater/tee/shirt. Sounds like I'm not the only one. So good to know.

rabbit

Veteran

A tee, a zip up fitted fleece or hoodie or cardigan, and baggy soft pants -- basically dressed enough that I can go get the paper or take the cats into the yard. Proportion and color wise they work together. They are covered with cat hair though and the tee is usually one demoted for fading or pinholes. I have inside shoes - basically slip on merrill maryjanes that provide arch support because going in socks messed up my back. I take off outdoor shoes to keep the house cleaner and because the cats like to wrestle with them.

My clothes don't really effect my productivity, and I prefer to extend the life and reduce the washings of nicer clothes by not wearing them at home. I do put on makeup and do something minimal with my hair every day.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

deb, thank you for sharing your personal story. I'm most appreciative.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

rabbit, I'm always covered in dog hair. You mean, pet hair isn't a design element?

rachylou

Veteran

Ah! You want to see my Native Dress. I wear my Native Dress when At Home. I am native... California Bay Area. Lol. This involves miniskirts as aprons and Heidi braids and things of this nature. Haha!

ETA & ps: I wear slippers when I remember. Otherwise, sockies. I like hospital socks with the grippy soles...

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Gennifyr

I work from home and homeschool and I dress up pretty much every day. If I'm making product then I put on an apron.

Kim

Veteran

I work at home every day, with little children, so I have to consider that. I'm also Canadian so I don't do shoes in the house, and rarely slippers, but a foot injury had me wearing full shoes in the house for several months. I found a pair of Tom's that would fit my orthotics and used them as slippers. I do not like athletic shoes on me, unless I'm working out, but I caved and bought a pair of all black Sketchers to also give my foot some help. Hurting feet make for a more miserable day than not feeling "fab" because the footwear isn't optimal.

I am wearing a Baily 44 type 3/4 sleeve striped knit shirt, jeans (of course, little snotty kids under 3 years old) and a pair of Toms. I also have a black belt on and two strands of pearls entwined together. (Grey and white) I feel like me, I feel good when I see the kids parents, and I am dressing for my actual life.

Of course, you should see how dressed up I get to go to Walmart! LOL Blush leather moto jacket, etc, etc....

Loungewear is my jammies, and gear is only for working out in my world.

rabbit

Veteran

rachylou, I love your native dress! That's totally similar to my studio wear. I do double braids hanging down on both sides, but now that my hair is shorter, it's double short pigtails. Here's one example (I was trying on the boots with leggings, these are both actually too fancy to wear at home or the studio, but this is my 'cat clambering' thrifted coat)

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BethL

(website)

Veteran

Ha! rachylou, you crack me up! I love both of these outfits. You look authentic (pun intended and also not) and comfy. Thank you.

Kim, I so appreciate your specificity. I really like knowing *exactly* what you're wearing and how. I so agree about hurting feet making for a miserable day. I have enough hurting go on without that. I also have two pairs of Clarks that are built on a sneaker base but look more like oxfords. I'm pretty sure they'll work with my orthotics when I get them. Thanks.

DonnaF

Veteran

Some part of my right foot usually hurts 24/7, so I almost always wear the fake Crocs my mom gave me since they are the most pain free option. Everything else is generally casual/business casual and machine washable and topped by an apron to protect against spills and grime. Today, I am wearing my flared pleather midi skirt and workshirt which I will wear this evening to the preview of the ten year revival of a one man show. I will add my blue suede booties and cropped jacket before we head out.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Why do I only think about using aprons when I'm cooking for holidays or other big dinners? Light bulb moment.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

This is a good topic. I always hate it when people say that I must work in my pajamas.

I work from home, and have done so for the past 15 years. I always do business to smart casual. I feel more professional dealing with clients that way. I do hope no one starts wanting to do their conference calls with video chat, or I'll have to bust out the suits more often.

I have lint rollers stashed everywhere because I have a mostly white dog (PBGV) who sheds like mad.

I don't wear shoes in the house either. I didn't know that was a Canadian thing. I always thought it was an Asian thing. (I am neither.) I hate having to bug guests/repair people to take their shoes off and I wish it was a more common practice here where I live in New England. I have a mud room, and that is where the shoes go. Lately I have been wearing driving loafers, which don't get taken outside, in lieu of ugly slippers.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I don't work from home, but I'm in the house a lot when living in FL and off work. Just look at most of my WIW's and you'll see what I wear. Shorts, maxi skirts, knit tops and tees, rarely footwear or jewelry unless/until I leave the house.

MuseumGal

Veteran

I wear things that I love but that I don't feel comfortable wearing outside the house. For instance today I'm wearing a silk wrap skirt made from old saris and a tie-dye Ganesh Tshirt that I've deconstructed. Often I wear surfer style pants from the 80s, or leggings in ridiculous prints, or fun dresses that are too short/tight/silly to wear in public. I always wear shoes due to foot issues - my house slippers are actually Danskos. And then some days it's just yoga pants and a stained T. But I try to limit those days to when I'm ill or something.

Diana

Veteran

Somewhat of a tangent, but am I the only one here who hates wearing socks in the house? I see lots of you don't wear shoes in the house (like me) but I also detest wearing socks sans shoes. I hate how they pick up all sorts of dust and crud when you walk around. I either go barefoot or wear slippers with some sort of sole.

And DEFINITELY no socks in bed. EVER. Shudder.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Pjs and a hoodie ... usually. Teehee.

And no socks. Like Diana, I hate socks in the house.

rabbit

Veteran

Diana, you must be from the planet of no cold feet. I see your kind walking around in flip flops in February too. Or maybe I'm the changeling? I have icewater in my ankles instead of blood I think.

In practical terms this means socks inside house shoes, and then getting into bed I switch out for another pair of socks which haven't touched carpet. Usually those get shucked sometime during the night, but they are really necessary before I nod off.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Diana, my feet get cold if I don't wear socks, at least in the fall and winter. Oh, and part of the spring here where we live. I don't go shoeless, so my socks don't have direct contact with the floor. Still, they pick up enough dog hair as it is. If I think about it for more than a few seconds, that could make me shudder, too.

JAileen

Veteran

I don't have a job so I'm home all the time. Today it's cold (34 this morning) so I'm wearing jeans, long sleeve tee, fleece vest, socks, and fuzzy slippers. We keep our house cool to keep our power bill down, so I dress somewhat warmly inside. It's not great, but it's presentable in case someone were to knock on the door. If I had to go out, I would just put on some shoes or boots and a cute jacket and voila, I'm good to go.

Diana

Veteran

Hee, I live in an overheated city apartment right now so I do go barefoot more often than not. But when I lived in a freezing house, I used to wear Uggs type shearling bootie slippers (with rubber soles) that kept my ankles warm!

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