With lockdown, working from home has become part of daily life, and it might just be here to stay for good. Indeed, some companies are considering making it permanent on a partial basis, a few days a week. This allows them to reorganize workspace and reduce office surface area to lower costs.
Already 30% of French employees have chosen full-time remote work. And another 30% would like to work from home on a regular basis.
In short, a new professional setup is taking shape... and men need to adapt to it. And adapt their wardrobe! Because you don't dress the same way when working from home as you do at the office.
Here is an overview of the sartorial differences between the office and home working.
At the office
You cross paths with your colleagues and boss several times a day, so you need to look immaculate. The air conditioning runs non-stop. Opt for breathable fabrics that hold their structure well, such as poplin, end-on-end, twill, dobby, or herringbone. These are also shirts made for suits, as they are longer and stay tucked into your trousers when you raise your arms.
At home
You want to feel comfortable, so soft, cozy, and less formal fabrics are preferred, but which still look professional from a distance on video calls. Keeping up appearances remains essential. So go for flannel, oxford, linen, or even denim and chambray. Stick to business-appropriate colors: neutral shades, solid colors, stripes, or small checks.
And during a video call with the big boss, wear a crisp, well-ironed poplin shirt—which you can take off right after the meeting so it doesn't wrinkle, keeping it pristine on a hanger until your next important appointment.
At home, we take less trouble to iron our shirts... plus, dry cleaners are closed! So choose treated fabrics that don't wrinkle easily.
The Pyjama Shirt
Finally, the ultimate blend of comfort and seriousness: the sweatpants-shirt or pyjama shirt. A new all-in-one concept: it's a sweatshirt with a poplin top half! Relaxation and professionalism guaranteed, as long as you position your computer camera properly during video calls and stay facing forward.
"We created outfits for remote workers that look formal on video, but loose and comfortable off-camera," explain the creators.
Credits: Kickstarter • Work For Home Jammie
Another concept: shirt and boxers when you lose track of time and the meeting starts in exactly... 15 seconds.
Or when you didn't have time to lock the dog in the garage... or put on your shirt!
Or when an unexpected meeting gets called out of nowhere...
Working from home is a dual concept: you are at home, which means relaxation, but you are working and must maintain a professional image. Therefore, you should always wear a shirt as a sign of professionalism, regardless of the fabric—the key being business-like patterns and colors.
Furthermore, dressing with style has a positive impact on morale and gives you the feeling of being at the office without physically being there. You preserve your dignity. You keep personal life and work life separate. You maintain your usual routine structured around working hours, with those hours delimited by your outfit. You get into the right mindset without needing to be dressed to the nines. And that boosts seriousness, motivation, and productivity just as much as the image you project.
