There seem to be two kinds of people when it comes to work-from-home clothing: The kind who get up, shower, put on makeup, and dress as though they were going to the office (even a very casual jeans-every-day office)… and the kind who enrobe themselves in pajamas and activewear and who may or may not shower and probably don’t put on a stitch of makeup. You KNOW that I am the latter. I have been putting on mascara only to go the grocery store every couple of weeks, and it feels as though I am really dolling myself up and I get a little shock of WHOA THERE FANCY FACE every time I catch a glimpse of my reflection.
My wardrobe already reflects my work-from-home sartorial philosophy. And man, after having worked from home for 11 out of 15 years, I really thought I had mastered the art of Comfy Clothing. I have my three categories of leggings (workout, lounging, pajama) and a drawer full of sports bras. But I have discovered that there is a surprising difference between my previous routine of wearing leggings while at home, but then changing into jeans when I went out into the world… and wearing comfy clothes all day every day (except for the maybe 30-60 minutes a week when I squeeze myself into jeans to go to the grocery store or to pick up takeout). Clothing oneself in Comfywear 24/7 is just different.
One surprising discovery is that I hate bras with a passion. Why have I been subjecting my body to such discomfort and restriction for so many years????? I have been wearing traditional bras to go to the grocery store; if I go anywhere else, I am wearing a sports bra. But I wanted something in-between – less confining than a sports bra, but more comfortable than a regular bra. I have found two options that I LOVE and bought two of each:
Photo from ae.com
Aerie Real Me Twist Back Sports Bra
I now own this bra in white and black. It is very stretchy and comfortable.
Photo from nordstrom.com
Honeydew Intimates Keagan Crop Seamless Camilette
I thought I wanted something called a “bralette,” but upon examination, that category seems to be a little more fancy/frou-frou than what I’m looking for. This camilette is exactly the ticket. I bought one in white and one in darkish blue. Very soft and stretchy. There is a textured pattern on it though — it’s subtle, but I think it might show up under a white or light-colored shirt; I haven’t tried it yet.
Another surprising discovery is that I find that I want some differentiation in my clothing. Workout clothes are fine for working out… but then I want to shower and put on different clothes. Lately, I have been choosing a pair of leggings with a dark bralette underneath this mesh hoodie I got at Loft a million years ago. It feels “cute” in a way that pajamas/activewear doesn’t. Not that my husband cares or has noticed. But I notice, and that’s enough. However, there’s only so many times I can wear the exact same outfit before I begin craving variety.
I have been swapping out the mesh hoodie with a leopard print Grayson Threads shirts I got at Target last fall.
Photo from bonanza.com
I bought this at Target but can no longer find it on their website.
Or with a flowy pink long-sleeved T-shirt from the Gap. I got it so long ago I can’t find anything remotely like it on the Gap website.
To have even more Options, I recently bought a “transitional” sweatshirt.
Photo from nordstrom.com
This top is lighter than a traditional sweatshirt and it’s very, very soft. I got the star print, but I really like the camouflage print as well.
Now that I have FOUR long-sleeved shirts, I am beginning to think about short-sleeved options. I have plenty of form fitting tank-tops and loose T-shirts, but I would like some flowy tank-tops. Maybe along the lines of this:
Photo from nordstromrack.com
Or this:
Photo from nordstromrack.com
All in Favor Knotted Tunic Tank
I like the drapey detail and the fact that this isn’t too fitted. I think I may prefer it in black… but I already have so many black tops.
In addition to leggings, I have been branching out to soft shorts. I have two pairs of pajama shorts from Target – but they don’t seem to have a tag, so I don’t know what brand they are, and I can’t find anything similar on the Target website. I have been LIVING in these shorts now that it is getting warmer and I’d like to find a couple more pairs. Perhaps something like this?
Photo from nordstrom.com
PJ Salvage Peached Lounge Shorts
I don’t know what “peached” means but these are cute.
I’d really rather not spend $46 on shorts, though. The $10-$20 range seems more reasonable. Perhaps these?
Photo from nordstrom.com
Honeydew Intimates Sneak Peek Sleep Shorts
These are still rather pricy and I balk at wearing something named “sneak peek.”
Nordstrom Rack has some cute options, including these:
Photo from nordstromrack.com
Natori Feathers Essential Pajama Shorts
And these ones look like they have a sturdier fabric:
Photo from nordstromrack.com
Maybe I could even wear them out-of-doors. Ha! Like I ever leave my house.
These leopard print shorts from Target are cute, and more in my price range:
Photo from target.com
Women’s Leopard Print Lounge Shorts – Colsie Gray
I also like these shorts from Loft:
Photo from loft.com
Lou & Grey Signature Softblend Drawstring Shorts
I get a kick out of Loft’s idea of “work from home” outfits, which include a $100 polka dot smocked jumpsuit and linen blend wide leg pants. I mean, I GUESS there are people with office jobs who are expected to don actual work clothing for zoom meetings and news broadcasts and such, but it kind of makes me giggle. Well, and then I drop deeply into despair because I would LOVE to be shopping for cute sundresses and things… but I have literally nowhere to wear them. (And no inclination of dressing up For Myself.)
Although maybe I am talking myself into this dress – which looks cute AND comfy:
Photo from loft.com
Loft Ruffle Tiered Swing Dress
What are you wearing these days? Any pandemic purchases that have turned out to be top notch?
life of a doctor's wife 
Thank you for this post, I absolutely loved it. LOVED IT. I cannot talk enough about clothes. Since I’m a yoga teacher, I have been dressing like I am teaching most days, even though I’m only teaching 3 online classes a week. I always wear my yoga tanks that have shelf bras, and so I rarely wear an *actual* bra, other than sports bras for running. I try to put on jeans and a regular bra once a week, maybe twice if I’m feeling fancy. But mostly it’s yoga tights, tanks, and long tees or sweaters.
I have two pairs of comfy pants that I switch between- an old ratty pair of yoga pants, and a pair of flowy pajama bottoms that are not *actually* dressier but which make me feel more put together. I now have a Work Sweatshirt, and an After-Work Sweatshirt. I haven’t worn a real bra, the kind with hooks as opposed to the kind you pull on over your head, since March 16 and I don’t miss them one bit.
Let me just say I wish I fit in all my comfy Kuhl Pants… maybe I NEED to be wearing my workout wear more?
Honestly I’ve placed more orders for clothes in this stay home period than ever- the sales are so good and so much of my wardrobe is folded on a high shelf because they don’t fit, so I’m kinda limited in my selection right now. I’ve bought new tee shirts, bras, More shirts, new pajama pants. and some super loose stretchy harem pants and a jumpsuit. Here I thought I’d go through the end of the world looking more like Laura Croft and less boho chic hippy… turns out I had that pegged wrong this whole time.
I generally get up, dressed, hair and make up every day – but I’ve been that way my whole life (thanks mom for the whole “if you don’t, that’ll be the day you run into so and so.). And actually, I think it helps me to be a bit more productive.
But I do find that there are days when maybe I don’t actually get dressed until about lunch time. I am – surprisingly – a comfy clothes kind of person when I’m not “at work” though. So currently, at 5:30 pm, I am in my pjs since work is done.
Sports bras are my jam right now. And, to be honest? I may never go back to an actual bra; particularly one with underwires – I’m convinced a man came up with that concept because if he had to wear one for even an hour he would have tossed that idea.
Generally, I wear a pair of really comfy pajama pants and a tank top. That’s become my go-to “look” over these last couple of months. Sometimes I’ll switch it up and wear yoga pants, but basically anything with an elastic band works for me. I also am RARELY wearing a bra, but I also live alone so it doesn’t make sense for me to wear one, haha. I am wondering how my boobs are going to look after MONTHS of no support, but eh. Whatevs.
I work at home under normal conditions so not much has changed. My usual outfit is a long-sleeved t-shirt with jeans or khakis. Maybe a button down or a turtleneck if I’m feeling fancy.
Love all of these options! I need to revamp my work from home style to encourage me to be productive!