Working from home in your active wear doesn't have to be the answer

How are you approaching dressing for work now that most of us are working from home? Are you in the house pants camp, aiming for comfort, or are you still dressing more formally, or are you somewhere in between, the working attire version of a mullet? Business up top, pyjamas at the bottom?

I've been scouring online shopping sites looking for clothes that meet the middle ground. Birdsnest, the online shopping mecca based in Cooma, has had this self-isolation shopping thing down pat for years now, long before we stopped going to stores.

Founded in 2004 when Jane Cay opened a little store in Cooma, the company went online in 2008 revolutionising the online shopping experience.

Their mission is to solve women's wardrobe dilemmas by providing personalised styling advice, styled outfit inspiration and a vast range of brands and sizes for all body shapes.

Surely then they'd have the answers for what makes an appropriate working from home outfit?

"Remember when staying at home all day was once in a blue moon?" says Birdsnest's Bronte Crowley.

"Imagine if someone had told you back then that soon you'll be staying at home all the time.

"We're not complaining, staying at home to help save the world isn't all that bad, but it can get a little boring. Our idea of curing boredom has always been dressing up and this time it's no different."

They've kindly recommended some outfits that would be appropriate for anyone working from home. A wrinkle-free shirt, a lightweight jogger jean, velour pants (now velour is a fabric that could well be set for a huge comeback).

Canberra stylist Janette Wojtaszak agrees that we can't spend however long in our pyjamas.

"There's no need for a tailored suit, but changing out of your PJ's and dressing for work is an absolute must," says Wojtaszak, who runs a personal styling business and the blog The Statement Life.

"It separates your home life and work life. You will find that keeping your normal routine will help with productivity and your mind set."

With a young daughter at home, Wojtaszak is juggling her business - she's still doing virtual styling sessions - and is striving to keep her normal routine.

"I think at a minimum you should wear a nice top or tee, do your hair and definitely keep up your beauty routine," she says.

"I still wear lipstick and spray my perfume, I do this for me and it makes me happy, it's what I would do if I was going to work.

"You don't have to change your routine too much, just because you're at home... Just take a more relaxed approach."

And she says her own style is definitely more relaxed these days.

"Today I'm wearing high-waisted dark jeans, a purple long-sleeved top, complemented by a necklace. I'm loving long-sleeve tops in this season's hot colours in purple and pink, paired with high-waisted, wide-legged jeans or pants. Wear your favourite colour too, it will give you happier vibes."

But does even thinking about what you might be putting on in the morning make any difference to anything? Nicola Palfrey, a clinical psychologist at the ANU School of Medicine, believes it does.

"People might see this as a bit of fluff, but it's uncharted territory," she says.

While this might seem like something of a Birdsnest conspiracy, Palfrey admits she is at home working in her Bird by Design wide long ponte pant.

"I made the decision last week to wear work clothes, not tight pants or restricting outfits, but smart so I could delineate what I was doing."

Palfrey says that's an important part of still dressing for work, "being able to step out of it at the end of the day".

"One of the challenges of being at home is the delineation of being at work and at home. Maybe putting a blouse on, even if we have comfy pants on, can to some extent help us to put those boundaries in place so we're not completely merging them."

She says it's too easy, when your laptop's on the dining room table, to just keep working. It's important for our mental health that we do set those boundaries so we have time and energy for ourselves and family members. Taking off the "work" clothes and slipping back into your tracksuit and slippers indicates you're back in home mode and available to whoever needs you.

Another crucial part of the discussion involves self-esteem and body issues, she says.

"For some people it is a really important part of their identity, taking pride in what they wear.

"We all have colleagues who always look impeccable. I worked with some women who were like that and I was thinking about them and the role it played in their life and their self esteem and their sense of self."

She says to think back to the days at home with a newborn baby, "and all of that coalescing in body shape and hormones and nothing to dress up for, it can be quite depressing at times".

The danger comes when we feel there is nothing to dress up for, there is no point in even having a shower.

"It can have really negative impacts on our self esteem if we slip into a place where it starts to affect us.

"It's about looking after our mental health."

Which is the perfect reason to get online and order that mohair turtleneck.

"Shine Bright" Two words: crinkle-free! Comfort and convenience have taken centre stage now that we find ourselves working from home - and what's more comfortable and convenient than this crinkle-free top by our exclusive label Boho Bird. Pop it on with your comfiest pair of jeans, and some funky jewellery to feel put-together and ready for a hard day at the home office.

"Be Kind To Yourself" Now is the time to be kind to yourself and what's more kind than a good merino sweater? This pure merino wool turtleneck by Natural for Birds will have you looking sharp, smart and cosy while the Lightweight Jogger Jean by Bird Keepers will have you triple-checking you're not still in your pyjamas before your conference call.

"Wild Style" Okay, so maybe a funky pair of velour pants won't quite cut it as 'office attire' - but now that you're working from home, you get to make the rules! This outfit from Boho Bird is just as nice to wear as it is to look at, and we're almost certain that you'll find it pretty easy to ditch the robe if it means you get to look this good.

"Fresh As A Daisy" What if we were to tell you this is one of our most flattering styles? Now, what if we were to tell you it's a bamboo blend and it's deliciously comfortable? This dress by our exclusive label bird keepers is so perfect for working from home that we can't promise you won't fall asleep on the couch while wearing it! Swap the sneakers out for some slippers and you'll feel like you're floating on a cloud!

"A Warm Hug" Who doesn't love an outfit that feels you're wearing your favourite blanket? This turtle neck tunic from our bird keepers will have you looking sharp for your zoom meeting up top while these comfy pants from belle bird won't get in the way of at-home comfort.