Working from home doesn’t mean you don’t have to dress up for your Zoom meetings – you just don’t have to dress as formally as you used to do pre-pandemic days when you went to the office. Depending on your job and nature of work meetings, here are some easy fashion rules to follow if you want to present a casual, yet stylish look!
Tee Up
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– Fit
Tees make a great and easy alternative to your typical office shirt when working from home. But make sure your tees are still in shape (select designs with a little lycra stretch – nothing too tight!) and the necklines are not sagging.
Avoid busy or offensive graphics and artwork. Stick to plain solid coloured tees or striped ones as these are less distracting to the eye.
– Sleeve length
Short sleeved tees are ok if you’re having a casual Zoom meetup but for more official meetings, long sleeved tees are best as they give a sense of dressy formality.
– Collar
For a dressy-casual vibe, short or long sleeved polo tees with collars are a good option as well.
Layers Matter
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– Overshirts
For a more easy and breezy look, a well tailored denim or oxford cotton overshirt adds defined lines and ‘dressiness’ to your basic tee. Stick to safe solid colours for official meetings, and try checked or striped versions for more informal meetups.
– Cardigans
If you’re having your meeting in an air-conditioned space or room, a lightweight knit cardigan is the perfect match for your tee. A classic cardy buttoned up and layered over a simple round neck tee is a stylish alternative to the traditional shirt and jacket ensemble.
– Jackets
Want to make an impression for your video conference? A lightweight casual cotton jacket in darker hues paired with your polo tee creates just the right semi-formal image and impression.
For colder weather, opt for a knit jacket without lining that keeps you comfortably warm. Collared jackets, like overshirts, are also great alternatives: for a cleaner look, match them with round neck tees instead of collared ones.
Shirts
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If you prefer to wear shirts and tailored tops, then short sleeved shirts are your best bet. Avoid stretchy tight shirts (comfort is key!) and choose lightweight boxy short sleeve cotton, viscose or linen styles.
Avoid shirts with floppy collars – camp or bowling shirts are just too casual – and stick to stand up collars or even Mandarin collar designs. As with your other tops, avoid garish hues and prints; simple repetitive patterns or plain coloured versions are best.
Pants Please
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Unless you’re very, very certain you will be stuck to your laptop without getting up for a toilet break, always wear long pants for all your meetings. There have been enough embarrassing incidences of Zoom participants looking all dressed up on the top half, then inadvertently ‘exposing’ themselves when they forgot they were in casual shorts or worse, underpants (!) when they got up to get a drink!
So always be on the safe side and slip on an easy and comfy pair of pants for all your meetings. Skip your stretchy skinny pants – opt for loose styles with elastic waistbands.
Try knit sweatpants (in simple designs, solid colours without patterns or prints), linen or cotton trousers or even 3/4 tailored versions. Match them with the fabrics of your tops – sweats work with long sleeved tees and knit jackets or cardigans, while tailored cotton or linen loose pants look good with similar shirts and tops. An ensemble of sweatpants with a tailored short sleeved shirt just looks sloppy and mismatched.
Share your WFH fashion tips with us at magnsman@sph.com.sg!
