WFH Attire - A Personal Stylist's Tips on Clothes for Remote Working
Working from home was already an increasing way of life, but now, in 2020, it’s even bigger. Most of us are working from home, remotely, and out of the office / work-space.
This new normal has resulted in boundaries being blurred, between work, home, lounge, and even our schedules. Is the morning shower now the same as an evening shower?! Does it all just seem the same/blurry, but the result is us feeling uninspired, demotivated, and sloppy [!!]. #nothankyou.
We chat with expert Personal Stylist, and Image Consultant, Cassandra Sethi!
Cassandra Sethi by Philip Vukelich
Cass is the founder for Next Level Wardrobe and an Image Consultant, who is behind many professionals’ successful looks, helping men and women make the most of their wardrobe that they already have, and… SoulCycle’s Retail Business, back when they had just 5 studios!
While Cassandra’s advice can be referred to 10 years from now, this advice hits home, especially in 2020! We hope it helps!
Let’s start with 6 basic rules or frame of mind to help navigate your attire while working from home:
get ready as if you’re leaving the house.
don’t wear sweatpants every day.
comfort + style are not mutually exclusive.
zoom backgrounds are the new fashion accessory, have fun with it.
your go-to outfit should include essentials, such as an elevated t-shirt/blouse, paired with a comfortable pant option.
your closet staples + essentials are key, which can transition through trends, time, + looks.
Outfit Ideas for Working From Home / Remotely + Zoom Calls
“At my company, Next Level Wardrobe, I focus on creating more outfits with less stuff in your closet, for any occasion,” Cassandra says, “Great style begins and ends in your closet - so that creating outfits every day, becomes fun!”
Go-To Outfit Ideas
“The most important go-to pieces in your wardrobe are the ones that you love to wear, and actually wear! I make sure [my clients] have year round essentials in the right core colors [navy, grey, black, white] with the perfect fit. Once you have those, possibilities are endless”
“Incorporating essential pieces like t-shirts and blouses with a more comfortable pant - one that has an elastic band or super comfortable fabric” is the way to go, Cassandra suggests.
“The NEW accessory of 2020 is your zoom background, so you can incorporate color and textures through that medium!”
Waist-Up Outfit Ideas for Video Calls, for Both Men + Women
“I’ve personally been wearing a great fitting tank top, a soft cashmere cardigan with comfortable pants. I always put my hoop earrings in for a little extra oomph or a red lip!”
For men, I recommend wearing a long sleeve polo for the colder months. Polos always look so sophisticated on guys, but I don’t see them enough in their closet!”
““If you’re working from home with a lot of zoom calls, I always recommend a top with a collar to give it a slightly more formal feel— but not too formal that it just seems out of place.””
Elevating Your Attire/Outfit
Tips to Accessorize or Change Up the Same Top When Wearing Multiple Times During the Week
We often end up grabbing one sweatshirt, shirt, or sweater repeatedly over the week. While there is nothing wrong with this, there are ways to change up the outfit, feel fresh, and have fun with the look.
Cassandra suggests “First, you want to make sure its in a core color. Colors like grey, white, black, and navy will you maximum versatility and wearability".”
“Second, once you have those colors, you’ll be easily able to create new outfits with layering different pieces and accessories.”
For women, changing up your hair, makeup and accessories can help change up the outfit. For men, this might be harder, but again changing up any accessories that you usually incorporate into your look, and/or layering pieces is a great way to freshen things up.
how to elevate activewear for work?
“Let’s be honest, comfort is key when working from home - but most want to still feel put together and have adopted a business on top, [relaxed] on the bottom approach. Many activewear brands are not only doing leggings but they offer joggers or pants that look like a part of your day-wardrobe.” highlights Cassandra
Again, layering and freshening up your accessories and hair can always clean up your workout wear for work mode.
Photo: DTS by Julien Tell
incorporating trends
I’m not into trends, and neither are my clients,” however, “what’s more important is that you have a long lasting style system that you can create more outfits with less stuff in your closet” Cassandra highlights.
With a good base, you can always add on and play.
“Using my Next-Level system gives [my clients'] the ultimate versatility to try trends in the future if they want to explore.”
Cassandra Sethi is the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe and an Image Consultant. After creating Soulcycle’s Retail Business (when they just had 5 studios!) and being a Senior Buyer for Equinox Luxury Gyms, she created Next Level Wardrobe to work with professional men and women to create a minimalist work wardrobe that they love to wear. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Merchandising from California State University Long Beach and Post Graduate Certificate from London College of Fashion (UK). Cassandra has been featured in NYMag, Men’s Health, Livestrong, Business of Fashion, and Greatist.
