Bag lady in the design duds section...

This should be obvious but realise that I obviously stuff this up big time. Working at home day and did mercy Easter shop dash to the city before DS comes over tonight for pre-Easter festivities. En route from menswear, swished into the ladies wear (gorgeous liberty print blouse for work capsule 2 attached itself to me but that is another story)... Anyhow, what is my excuse for ok work wardrobe, yet here I am, mid week, in scuffed fitflops almost worn to the honeycomb, washed out bagged neck 'dressy' tshirt, and bagged out linen pants looking a horror... I did have issues at wardrobe this morning between my washed out really-hot-summer gear, and my forthcoming new winter t's and jackets which its still too hot for... Do I need another capsule? What do others do? WAH!! I probably spend most of my week in this mode to go between work at home, to cooking dinner so I don't change... Angie's MOTG capsules are on my radar - any way to update these since 2009? I took a photo yesterday of wiw for same and had to bin the photo (and next the clothes!) because it looked so atrocious even with coordinated belt and necklace...

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Jen I suspect you are being way to hard on yourself! Are you asking if you need a lounge wear capsule! Its good to have some pieces that look nice, are comfortable and workable for at home. So that when that unexpected visitor drops by you dont feel uncomfortable (like I did Saturday morning when caught in my pj's). For summer I have a couple of waist surrendering dresses on a quality t shirt type fabric and winter in the same fabric I have like a yoga pants and some oversize tops to wear with them

ManidipaM

I think for some of us, Jen, we might need a super-casual work-at-home wardrobe. Sort of an obverse of the not-too-casual MOTG that Angie recommends, in that this has to be far less dressy than typical 'business casual' --- or at least that's my idea, since I feel awfully silly in a 'dressed up with nowhere to go' vibe when I tried to put on business casual to work at home in the early days of transition from office to home office --- and yet should feel comfy and casual enough to stop work and attend to household chores in.

I don't think you need loungewear, exactly --- it might make you feel like you're de-valuing yourself as a 'location-independent professional'. You need casual wear that's comfy yet slightly strucutured, not TOO playful, nor too shabby. it's your work at home capsule, and BOTH the work and home have to be incorporated. You could look at your weekend clothes and see if some can be shifted to this wardrobe.

What I would caution against is getting stuck in the worn and shabby lounge-y things. I may be projecting here, but I've been there, because I couldn't afford new clothes and didn't want to spoil nicer weekend or casual dress-up clothes... and have ended up feeling thoroughly demoralized and drab that way!

You might, as you head towards winter, look at corduroy or basic grey flannel pants maybe? Or well-cut khakis or chinos with a bit of stretch for transitional times? Add a few tops (not lounge-y or silly slogan-printed T-shirt or sweatshirt equivalents) and keep a cardi or lightweight jacket just for work@home?

DonnaF

You no doubt think you look worse than you actually do. But I give you permission to replace those flip-flops. You deserve better. Maybe a gauzy woven shirt would hold up better than a T? Wear that tired T when you clean your oven (or not if you don't)! And I thought linen pants are SUPPOSED to bag out?

I definitely don't dress up when I work at home, but I am making an effort to avoid my (previous) raggedly look and asking myself why I am *saving* my nicer Ts. After all, I can't take them to the grave with me, esp. since I plan to be cremated.

Jjsloane

I have to make myself toss anything that is that worn so I am not tempted to wear it in public. If you at least have casual basics that are clean and neat and somewhat flattering you are ahead of the game.
I think because I have a dressy work wardrobe I enjoy my better casual wardrobe and have multiple options to choose from. I keep them in a drawer together ready to go. Some are kind of gear pants, but nicer ones (Athleta) and fitted (not baggy, ripped, stained or logo'd) tees so I look a bit more put together and not like I'm cleaning out the septic tank.

christieanne

I did the clear out the gear/super casual and loungewear thing last week. You know when you think something isn't good enough to get donated to a charity shop that it is time to GO.
I made quite a few new car washing rags out of t shirts in fact.

Yes, there needs to be work from home (and not work from home as in expecting visitors or clients - that's daywear) concept. I like a jean with extra stretch and a "fancy" tshirt at least. I will wear gear to clean in if nothing else. Then I am ready for my daily walk at least
But i hate wearing gear in public (will do minor errand but I am afraid of who i will run into - it's happened) so refer to MOTG capsule for that.

It may be that with running around doing everything for your family and work that you just a need few more minutes for yourself? Deep breathe, it will pass and you can get back on your fab way.

Isabel

Jen, this type of thing just happens some times. Angie's MOTG outfits are so great because they are timeless, IMO. The blazer/jacket with a graphic T and sneakers is still very relevant. I still wear the capris ( below the knee ) with boots..and I get compliments all.the.time. So I think that if you look at her list of must haves or trends, you could incorporate some of those things into the same core outfits.

A story to share. Last week, I had an appointment with my oncologist, who's team watches patients VERY carefully for depression. I had to provide breakfast at school for my DD's class, then to a reconditioning program for cancer patients, then back to the school AND I ran into a ton of traffice..so I never changed out of my sweaty, stinky, gym clothes. Mind you, the oncology center is in a large city in the swankiest part of the city. I was 20 minutes late and my doctor was looking around the waiting room for me. When she saw me running in, her jaw dropped and she looked me up and down from head to toe. She said, " What happened...you seemed fine two weeks ago ? " I blurted out in the waiting room, " I SWEAR I am NOT depressed ! "

You just have to laugh it off ( though NEVER identify yourself as a fabber, LOL )

jenanded

You are all such beautiful people Perhaps I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at work (usual time of year stuff!) and have a lingering 'flu' and feeling off my game... I will work carefully through your suggestions and perhaps that is what I need to do - add in some better but still appropriate tops and toss those darn fitflops (oh they are too comfy!!!) so I don't get caught again... Roll on easter for a few days respite (and wardrobe reorganisation!)... Truly, you are just lovely...

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