What to Wear if You’re a Stay-At-Home Mom or Work from Home

Styling StrategiesThe Truth Behind Style

Apr 13

Do you work from home or stay at home with your kids? If so, you’ve probably noticed how easy it is to wear PJ’s from noon to night and feel like you’re #winning at life. Gone are the days of stiff, structured suit separates and itchy sweaters. Yoga pants, workout wear, and oversized sweaters are your new uniform.

OR perhaps you love wearing jeans and regular clothes around the house. You get ready for the day in the same way you would if you had outings or events scheduled and see the importance of caring for your appearance while working from home or staying at home with your littles. Either way, you're always looking for pieces that are both fun and functional to wear around the house.

When I transitioned to running my business full-time last November, I was curious to discover how I’d feel wearing around-the-house clothing for work. I was scared I’d fall in love with leggings and oversized sweaters and feel shameful as a stylist for loving them so much.

And then it happened. I began to pull out my leggings every.single.day. Before I had a weekly schedule, I’d spend hours in bed on my laptop in my PJ’s. I’d wear the clothing I didn’t want to worry about staining or ruining for days in a row so there’d be less laundry. And while doing so, I began to track how I felt in each piece of clothing and whether it affected the quality of my work.

I’d have my roll-out-of-bed days, denim days, and everything in between as I tested what pieces helped me feel productive, encouraged me to make that intimidating phone call, or motivated me to hop on social media for a live video while working in the office. It didn’t take long to discover that the hours of working on my laptop in bed were detrimental to my business. It fostered a culture of laziness, and I’d find myself on social media for entirely too long at the beginning of my day (my most productive hours out of the day!).

I also discovered rather quickly that PJ’s weren’t working out either (so sad). They made me feel disoriented and disorganized, and I pictured how other business owners I admired might show up to work, even while working from home. It would be a letdown to show up to their house and find them in dumpy, I-don’t-care-about-myself clothing.

Here’s the truth - the way you dress while working or “moming” from home has a direct impact on the work you do and the way you view yourself while doing it. As a stylist, I know I have a heightened standard. The things I feel good in will likely be different than the things you feel good in. Begin by tracking what pieces YOU enjoy and make notes as you go!

Did you have an especially productive day at work or with the kids? What helped you feel pulled-together and on top of things during the day? Did you end up taking a selfie because you felt good? If so, what were you wearing?

The following 5 pieces are personal go-to’s that don’t affect my work in a negative way, don’t have me shrinking back from being confident while interacting with clients, and don’t leave me feeling shameful if someone drops by or I hop on Instagram for a live video.

1. Jogger Pants

It’s funny because I’m the last person on earth you’ll find jogging (I’m NOT a runner!) but I LOVE these pants. They’re cozy and warm with a textured polyester material that amps up the overall style. The fact that the draw-string emphasizes my waist is a game changer. I’ll often front-tuck a tee or light sweater in to avoid feeling like a big bag during the day.

2. Baseball Cap or Floppy Hat

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thanked God above for a hat to throw on at the end of the day when running out the door to a Bible Study, coffee, or networking event. I’m often too lazy to style my hair if I’m only gone for a few hours out of the day, so a hat has been clutch since I started working from home! I’ve also noticed several other stylish women I know wearing a floppy hat without makeup on and still looking fabulous.

3. Long, Fitted Sweater

I’m not talking the huge, oversized styles (which are completely fine if they leave you feeling 100%). I’m talking about the styles that flatter your shape, rather than hiding it. It’s important that they’re long because a short, fitted sweater can leave you feeling frumpy without the right pant to pair it with. I have two sweaters I regularly switch between that are long but still fitted.

4. Amped Up Legging

Yes, you read correctly! I AM advocating for a legging but recommending you go with a style that is more amped up than a regular legging. I am in love with this pair from A New Day at Target and own them in Gray AND Black. The high-rise fit reminds me that I have curves (which I can easily lose when wearing around-the-house clothing) and the material is a silkier polyester, giving me the option to dress them up before running out the door with a bootie and jacket. They’ve also been a go-to with sneakers for shopping sessions with clients!

5. Graphic or Solid Tee

Tees have become my new go-to. There are so many soft, silky styles out there and it’s easy to amp them up when needed with a silky scarf, structured jacket, long necklace, or neck scarf. I’ve started collecting more graphic tees and love the feel of them. Find a message or image you like and go with it (did you catch my blog titled, “How One Mom Juggles Two Kids and a Stylish Wardrobe"? Victoria is amazing at using graphic tees, baseball caps, and other effortless go-to’s to amp up her mom-at-home lifestyle!)!

Let the above list inspire your own work-from-home or mom-from-home lifestyle, and remember the following:

1. Feeling frumpy happens when you lose your shape. Avoid feeling huge with the tight/baggy rule and pair a big sweater with a form-fitting legging or a fitted tee with a jogger pant.

2. Do your makeup sometimes. It’s just a good idea.

3. Follow the 2 out of 3 rule. Take care of two of the following - clothing, hair, or makeup - to avoid feeling like a bum.

4. FIT is your best friend. When shopping for items to wear at home, consider fit FIRST. Does this tee fit correctly? Are these jogger pants sitting at my natural waist? Does this pair of leggings create a slimming silhouette?

5. Try a front or side tuck when you're feeling frumpy. I do it ALL the time at home, and for 99% of my clients, it works like a charm. A mid or high-rise pant works best when tucking in!

Clothing shouldn’t stop being fun when you transition to a work-from home or mom-from-home lifestyle! In fact, the freedom to dress however you wish should open the door to more creativity and experimentation as you find pieces you truly enjoy wearing. Think of ways you can have more fun with your clothing at home and start noticing the ways your attitude, productivity, and view of yourself changes!