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Recent WIWs and developing my WFH style

Bijou

Veteran

From 1 October I changed jobs and will be working from home with a few business meetings thrown in.

I am trying to exercise most days with a class or walk and have decided to change after that because I don’t like wearing gear in my working day and like to freshen up after exercising.

Photo 1 - leaving lunch work dress
Photo 2 & 3- dress and denim jacket for a casual Friday catch up with colleagues
Photo 4- Uniqlo denim dress (WFH)
Photo 5 - walking outfit - keeping it real!
Photo 6 - t-shirt and tulle skirt (WFH)
Photo 7 - Skirt and top (WFH)

What I have discovered so far

Footwear I seem to be wearing my sneakers and boots as footwear, so a change up from my heels. I bought these ballet flats, which I think will get worn often at home. They are Paul Green, so provide good arch support. I have resolved to not buy any more heels. Flats, boots, sneakers and sandals are my footwear going forward.

Denim is my friend - my denim jackets, jeans, skirts and dress are all being worn regularly - it is such an easy way to dress down other more dressy items. BUT - I don't like wearing jeans and a t-shirt as it is not dressy enough for my style.

Dresses - well I still love them, but MUST NOT BUY these because I have a great collection and just want to wear and enjoy what I have.

Wardrobe most valuable player award... will choose 2 - sneakers and my cross body bag!

Any tips on how to be casually dressed yet maintain a certain dressy style is much appreciated. I will look to forum members and Angie for style inspiration.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Joy

Veteran

I think your answer is jackets...denim (in several colors or neutrals), utilitarian jackets, anything with casual vibes, and knit tops and cardigans.. for your dressy side, wear perfume and fancy silk undergarments...things that gave you a boost but don’t show...cashmere socks, sequined sneakers or rhinestones on your booties. I think you need a grey and a black denim jacket or quilted bomber.
The denim dress is a good idea. It could also be worn open as a duster. Do you have a denim shirt? Maybe a flannel shirt?

slim cat

Veteran

You look beautiful in all outfits!
I love your pink denim jacket with the dress in #3 and #6 graphic tee fasten with a knot with black midi skirt!
Casual jackets, long cardigans ( or cropped ones - depending on your preference )..., but I think it's alright to be yourself and be as dressed up as you'd like .

Minaminu

Veteran

Fab style, comfortable and feminine at the same time, very inspiring! it reassures me that pink is indeed a beautiful colour to have in the wardrobe! Pic 6 & 7 are my favourites!

Bijou

Veteran

Joy - Thank you for the great advice. Dressing down my dresses, skirts and blouses with denim and leather jackets and dressing up my jeans with blazers - will get me to a nice mid point between dressy and casual style. I love your suggestions regarding flannel and denim shirts. As I am now heading into summer, I will park those as future purchases in 2021.

Slim cat, you have picked my favourite outfits. I like how the tulle skirt works with a simple t-shirt - comfortable and easy dressing. When I bought the pink denim jacket I had mixed feelings, wondering whether I would actually wear it and of course it has become a workhorse.

Minaminu - pink was my colour for 2020 - I really like how it brightens things up, especially as I have lots of black and navy in my wardrobe.

Brooklyn

Veteran

You are gorgeous Bijou. 2/3 is my fave because * floral* but 5 is an awesome “Keeping it real” outfit.

I don’t have any tips because I’m still finding my way with WFH too. In terms of what I’m wearing this time of year no 6 is the closest - nice skirt with tee to casualise it for WFH. But I also often just wear wide leg pants and a knit top. I do tend to get changed more than once during the day - to go out and to work out. When I go out I often wear my boots and jackets. But I’m not wearing my heels at all anymore.

Anonymous

That teal is your color- wow! I agree, be as dressy as you enjoy! There's no obligation to dress down if it doesn't make you happy.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Congratulations on the new job!.

I've been working from home for 22 years. I have never worked in pajamas or exercise gear, because it affects my mindset. I start the day going through e-mails and small matters, then exercise for a couple of hours, shower, dress in a thought-out look and get down to business. I live in a casual town, and I would say that what I wear around the house, and what most people never see is dressier than the norm. I wear things that make me feel stylish and comfortable, and the main factor that affects my sartorial choices is the weather. The only thing I don't like about WFH is that we don't wear shoes in the house, and I have so many pretties that don't come out as much as I'd like.

nuancedream

Veteran

Bijou, you are absolutely gorgeous Echoing what suntiger said about that teal dress...Wow, indeed! Also, I really like #2, 3,& 6. I have always admired your polished dressy style, which reminds me a lot of Carolina Herrera. If dressing down makes you feel inauthentic, then don't go there.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

CONGRATS, sweet Bijou!

KILLER all round. I can't pick a fave.

WFH or not - you have not lost your beautifully stylish verve that you sport with ease, playfullness, elegance and enjoyment. WELL DONE!

Yes to a few footwear and bag shifts as we adapt to new normals, which is exactly what happened to Brooklyn and me: crossbody bags and sneakers from now on, and in Brooklyn's case, flat boots. Milk it! Along with the denim

Helena

Veteran

Super gorgeous ... you have such a fun sense of style, and bring a dressiness and classic prettiness to everything you wear! The blue in the first photo literally made cartoon hearts pop right out of my eyes; I'm not even kidding

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m not even going to try to pick a favorite. I really like the darker colors of the floral dress and the blue dress close to your face. The punchy jacket for a walk is great too. I smile whenever I see you in tulle, because you know how to make it work so well!
I think Joy has given you a great tip about the undergarments—you can be as dressed up as you want and no one has to know. I’m starting a thread about that.

MsMary

Veteran

NUMBER SIX FOR THE WIN!!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

You have great style, and I am inspired by your effort! #2 is my favorite. The lilac bag really brightens up the dark floral dress which I am drooling over.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, you look sensational in that lilac blouse in #7. Wow!! What a gorgeous colour for you. The dress and denim jacket in #2/3 is equally stellar. And I'm a big fan of the knotted tee with pleated skirt, too.

So far, your WFH style is a cut above!

I am not sure I have any (useful) tips for maintaining dressines in WFH, because that is something I seem not to have managed. I think Angie is the queen of that for sure! But I do think a selection of low heeled or flat slip on INDOOR footwear helps (not slippers), and I also agree with mixing denim with dressier items for juxtaposition. I love denim jackets with dresses and skirts, and jeans with attractive blouses or sweaters and silk scarves.

LaPed

Veteran

That black floral dress in 2/3 is so pretty. And I love your walking outfit. What a great windbreaker!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You may be dressing more casually than you used to but you have retained your elegant ,colourful vibe.lm not sure that you need my advice!

Runcarla

Veteran

Read what UmmLila said x 3! And what Slimcat said about being as dressed up as you like. Though I’m not WFH, home is my base because I’m retired. I don’t even own any pj’s or leisure wear, so I wear ‘real’ clothes throughout the day. ‘Real’ clothes can be as fancy or plain as you like, but should support the activities of your day and enhance your wellbeing and sense of self.

For wardrobe management, I would suggest that you plumb your closet for all it’s worth - but take note of repeat outfits or favourite items. In 6-12 months (though maybe sooner) you will know better what works and where the holes are in your WFH capsule. You will still need a capsule for when you are on site at your workplace or seeing colleagues.

I agree with everyone who suggests sneakers/low heeled footwear and smaller/cross body bags. However, those items were trending pre-Covid and just became bigger trends with the pandemic.

I see day dresses or house dresses being almost as popular as a pants and top combination. It’s just a cake vs pie sort of thing!

Bijou

Veteran

Brooklyn, I thought of you when I saw the dark floral dress. I just love it and think this will be something I wear for many months of the year as it works well with boots and a leather jacket in winter or strappy sandals in summer. I love wide leg pants on you.

Suntiger, I love teal and I am glad it has made a return.

UmmLila, thank you for the advice. You always look sensational and have definitely got your WFH style sorted.

Nuancedream thank you for the Caroline Herrera comparison, that is high praise indeed.

Angie, you are definitely my style inspiration.❤️

Tronto Girl, you made me laugh.

Fashintern, I agree, Joy offers very wise advice. Glad you like the tulle skirt.

Ms Mary, everyone needs a tulle skirt to wear when working from home.

Coco lion, that lilac bag is a much loved workhorse.

Suz, yes it is a bit of a dilemma, wanting to wear clothes that I love but that are practical for the more casual lifestyle that I now live.

La Ped, the windbreaker is my favourite piece of gear. Now I think my future wardrobe purchases will be more gear focused. That will be my style goal for 2021.

Cardiff Girl, thank you, it is early days, but just trying to take care and dress up a bit helps me feel more like myself.

Carla, thank you for the detailed advice. I have never counted wears, but this may be the time to do it, so it informs me about where my future needs are. I greatly suspect that I am fully catered wardrobe wise for most things and the only updates or new purchases should be underwear, gear and flat and highly functional footwear, especially summer sandals that I can walk 5kms in comfortably. I just like looking at pretty and dressy clothes, but having a wardrobe for a fantasy or former life is definitely where I may falter.

kellygirl

Veteran

Even your keeping it real walking outfit looks glamorous! I just look like a schmuck in my gear. You have enviable WFH and work style. All of these are so pretty. Lilac is one of your best colors! I'm having trouble picking a favorite because they're all so pretty but I love the tulle and tee!

Bijou

Veteran

Kellygirl, that is high praise indeed. You always look fit and fabulous to me.

nemosmom

Veteran

Your WFH looks are a cut above! I am SO jealous! That turquoise is just gorgeous on you, and I love #6 the most!

I have WFH for almost 10 years now, and I still haven't figured out the magical balance of structure and comfort. I don't like to wear workout gear or loungewear while working, as my mind needs that delineation of work time v. home time. We also don't wear shoes in the house - I tried to designate one pair as my 'house only' shoe, but did not like clomping around the hard floor. I also sit on my feet when I am on the computer, so shoes don't really work for that. I have no advice, but am watching this thread for inspo!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

These are all fabulous and I think you just need to trust your own unique, fun, pretty and fabulous style and wear what appeals to you for WFH - with the adaption of lower heels. I am a crossbody and flats devotee and am looking forward to having more inspiration!

Jane

Veteran

These are great outfits and I love the pink denim! And with the Furla bag - beautiful! I love the dress, as the print has some beautiful colours in it. I have been a big wearer of skirts with sneakers this summer.

I am thinking it may take a season or two to settle down into what you really want and enjoy wearing. But from what I see, you look wonderful!

I do what Carla says and wear real clothes most days. I am a big cardi wearer when at home, because I always seem to be hot / cold / warm / not warm enough and so on all through the day. Andy they are easy to pull on and take off. My fav is a black Cos mohair, in a dense knit with no pockets or buttons. I sometimes wear with a skinny belt.

Bijou

Veteran

Nemosmom - you always look great to me. I can see that I may find this working from home thing a bit tricky.

Shevia - I always love how you add a fashionable edge to even your most casual outfits. Getting inspiration from real people on the forum is the best.

Jane - skirts and sneakers sound like a great formula for me. I loved the weekend sweater and skirt you posted this week.