Sunday Styling Series // 011

easy peasy WFH outfit formulas

Hi Readers,

Welcome to another ✨Sunday Styling Series✨!

This week’s post was inspired by a request I received from an Instagram follower:

Outfit ideas for working from home girls. Comfy and cute please!

(Note: This will include some of the thoughts and visuals I shared on IG but with more expanded styling ideas!)

Many of us have shifted to a WFH lifestyle (either fully or a hybrid version) and it’s been years of having this very low key, private working environment be the main part of our day.

The question made me realize that there may be just as many that are still trying to figure out a WFH outfit that is practical yet interesting, comfortable yet stylish.

One that is elevated beyond the cute matching athleisure and lounge sets that I know we all stocked up on during the pandemic…and just as quickly fell into a routine of wearing the same oversized tee/sweatshirt + legging/sweatpant every day (albeit, matching):

Nothing wrong with these sets bc they are super comfy but when you wear them all day>errands>workouts>working from home, you can find yourself wearing these 24/7 for weeks on end. I’m not saying you need to edit these out or stop buying them but unless the majority of your style preferences + lifestyle is athleisure/workout based, you probably only need 1-2 in your wardrobe to have you covered!

Yes, I was comfortable but over time, I remembered that I enjoy getting dressed. It has always been a mini self-care ritual to go into my closet and put together an outfit that makes me feel good. It is usually one of my favorite parts of the day so why remove the happy ritual of getting dressed, even if I’m just working from home and no one sees me?

there are of course plenty of days where I immediately start working and before I know it, its 1 pm and I’m still in this state (but obvi, not as glamorous)

On most days though, I find that getting dressed in something more elevated helps me feel so much more ready to tackle the day with my best foot forward and help boost my spirits and productivity.

This is also a gentle sign to feel good about ditching the idea of “Zoom Tops”.

I’ve seen too many clients who have a closet full of “Zoom tops” that they purchased for virtual meetings but then didn’t really want to wear them for the rest of their lifestyle because it really only served one purpose - to create visual interest on a screen.

In my previous life working as a designer/product developer, we designed entire collections focused on these types of tops and they were by far our best sellers so I will admit, this type of item sells. I think purchasing a few novelty tops a season totally makes sense but they should feel diverse enough to serve different aspects of your style (end uses, aesthetics, proportions, fits etc). If you think a fun pretty top will solve your wardrobe problems, it can quickly lead you to a closet of this:

Nothing wrong with these items but 1)you can only own so many different kind of novelty tops 2) they all serve the same end use - nice tops with similar details in more obvious colors and prints 3) you start to feel like you have “nothing to wear” because you have all these same-same tops but only a few bottoms to mix-n-match with

As always, this series is to share some styling ideas and tools (not rules!) to help you get dressed for the week, hopefully with things you already own. I’ve included some links to point you in the right direction if you are looking for something similar!

So! Here are 7 quick and easy outfit formulas/ideas to try this week + some styling visuals to help you get started!

1. 1 part comfy + 1 part polished

Similar to the 2+2 lounge/polished formula I shared last week from my Zoë Kravitz style deep dive, I think putting on one thing that feels polished and a bit structured helps put your “I’m working and I’m ready to be productive” hat on.

Love this image!! Oversized cozy sweater (comfy) + structured trouser (polished). It doesn’t have to be this structured and can be a pull-on, a linen pant etc. You feel chic at home but you can also just throw on sandals and quickly run out the door

Me this past week: Button down shirt (polished) + elastic waist stretchy pants (comfy). AYR Deep End + Donni Rib Kick Flare (*gifted - note that I will only share gifts that I have personally tried on and would buy or recommend to clients. I have been a fan of Donni for a long time and have purchased and worn their pieces and they were kind enough to send these to me to try on. They have a great modern shape and a really nice stretch and recovery which is key for any type of structured knit pant!)

Another example - button down (polished) + bermuda cotton shorts (comfy). It’s not the most stylish but just adding the button down and having it be monochrome vs wearing my lounge shirt makes me feel more productive! AYR Deep End (not a gift/PR - I just have worn mine multiple times a week for years now!) + vintage shorts from Phosphene Studio

Silk button down (polished) + relaxed linen pull on pants (comfy); heels optional!

Outfit ideas for the silk top + linen pants example above but for other lifestyle moments! You just can’t get the same versatility from an athleisure set

2. Elevated Everyday Sets

   This to me just means a non-athleisure or lounge set. They have a bit more construction, shape, and movement and include wovens. What I like about elevated sets vs athleisure is they can fit much more seamlessly into the rest of your wardrobe while still staying comfortable and cozy.

I love this example from Vincent James. It still is a soft, stretchy knit set but more refined and versatile. Cardigan + Skirt

outfit examples for the above set - most of these can also work as WFH outfits - just add jewelry and swap your shoes for other activities (affordable cardigan and skirt set here + here)

another example using a linen shirt + skirt set

This is a more specific look but I wanted to share a set that shows your personality AND have it be versatile for WFH or other lifestyle moments (gingham top + bottom found on Etsy - not my style but I think it’s so cute as styled below! The shop has great reviews on quality and service)

outfit examples for the above set - when having a more “obvious” pattern, it helps to pair back to versatile neutrals to have more outfit options! Again, most of these can be additional WFH outfits as nothing is too restrictive

3. Tonal/Monochrome Formula

If you want to do a true lounge or leisure piece, look for a really clean, polished look that feels more elevated and luxe that you can feel great wearing it out the door. Modern shapes, detailing, and colors also help avoid looking too lounge.

The brand Leset is a great example of this:

Their collection has very minimal and clean detailing and easy neutrals. I like that they always have a top and bottom in the same shade. Some of my favorites: Yoko Pant (love the tomato red version for a Row-esque look) | Margo Tee (my everyday favorite white tee) | Rio Stirrup Pant (great alternative to a basic legging and love it with a ballet flat or loafer) | Lauren V-Neck (such a modern feminine shape..I tend to have a hard time finding a v-neck I like!) | Lauren Pleated Pant (great color options that feel luxe and refined - a great WFH pant but also for running errands with the kids, a travel/plane look)

Their site is a great place to get styling ideas for mixing and matching easy separates and formula ideas. The key is including elements of polish for taking it from the house to outside (ie: a silk pant, a crisp shirt, a refined collar, a ballet flat or loafer)

I also love what Aritzia is doing with their ‘The Group by Babaton’ leisure line. I follow Aritzia closely as I think they are one of the few brands that has a finger on the pulse of what their clients want, listens to them, and then build brands that service all aspects of their core clients lifestyle. Their quality/construction ranges across their brands but I have found the most consistency within the Babaton and TNA lines.

very similar feel to Leset at a good price point and Aritzia always has the best range of neutrals! Look 1 pant | Look 2 long sleeve | Look 3 pant (worn w same long sleeve as look 2) | Look 4 pant | Look 5 jacket

When you have these clean pieces, you can mix-n-match with each other like the above examples but also back to your other regular everyday pieces with more ease.

Monikh is a great source of inspiration for those relaxed, neutral, easy to wear separates