Yep, pajamas excluded.

It has long been apparent that we are expected to dress smart for WFH days. Virtual meetings as we all know it have become the common method of putting heads together in the wake of city lockdowns.

While it is tempting to put a ratty shirt on paired with a comfy pajama bottom, there are times when you have to turn on the camera.

For instance, you are scheduled to meet with a potential client who has plans to buy a house. Do you dare risk their first impression of you by dressing in overly casual clothes during a Zoom encounter?

Good thing, that there are several ways you can dress smart for WFH meetings without needing to wear your formal work clothes. And by that, we mean skipping suits or heels!

In addition, there are a handful of options to choose from where clothes can be of good quality but not necessarily pricey.

READ: 8 Mistakes Professionals Make with Their Business Attire

Check out our style recommendations below to ace your look through your online meetings. 

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Pair a blouse or button-down shirt with drawstring trousers

Ditch the ‘two-piece suit look’ by layering a long-sleeved top and wearing comfy drawstring pants. This monochrome style looks polished and it safeguards you from “oops!” moments brought by wearing shorts or pajama bottoms. It’s smart enough for a conference on Zoom or Meet and a quick errand outside if allowed.

Want to chill immediately after the meeting? Wear a tank top underneath your blouse. Soon, once everyone has logged out, you can slip into lounge mode by simply taking off this layer. Drawstring pants are comfortable enough to do your daily home routine with and pair well with office blouses. 

Go for comfortable fresh with a midi dress

Working from home lets you skip the pencil skirts and sheath dresses. But it’s definitely not your cue to stick with joggers. To dress smart for WFH meetings, you can combine comfort with chic, sophisticated styles and materials.

Midi dresses are ideal for all-day wear. They’re easier to put on and are more delicate on the skin, perfect when at room temperature. Goes without saying, who even misses going to an office with a temperature of Iceland 24/7 that leaves you with no choice but to bundle up? Yep, not us.

Trick your audience with a playsuit

Playsuits are the shorter version of a cult favorite jumpsuit, also known as a romper. It’s a type of smart-casual outfit you’d go for when living in a sunny region.

Despite the weather, the playsuit has proven to be just as wearable for WFH meetings. Granted those in attendance will likely not see your bottoms, so your romper could easily pass as an elegant top or a full jumpsuit.

Pick a neutral color of the playsuit as a safe bet. It looks versatile for work meetings or for when you might need to step out for a quick errand.

Get away with a sleeveless top with shorts

The meeting might be virtual, but it’s not an excuse to look sloppy. Look fresh in a plain sleeveless top paired with solid-colored shorts for an outfit that is still meeting-appropriate but fun. 

An ideal sleeveless top for meetings does not show too much skin. The shorts are comfortable enough for sitting for extended periods, and the whole outfit itself is good to wear inside the house without worrying about being overdressed. 

Keep a shirtdress to rescue you on any day

The shirt dress is a perfect WFH outfit. You can wear it to your virtual meetings (even interviews) and look polished enough. Its relaxed fit allows for more legroom. Wear it around the house with shorts underneath and be meeting-ready in no time. If you’re in a rush, you can wear it over your sleep clothes, too, and no one will find out. 

Pick one with a standard-style collar, cuffs, and maybe a belted one to add definition to your waist. Roll the sleeves up for a less formal vibe, or button the cuffs to look more formal. When the meeting is over, you can loosen up a few buttons or wear it like a cardigan under your house clothes. 

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Look smart instantly with a turtleneck top yet comfy with leggings

A turtleneck top made from cotton or linen matched with leggings can make you look formal and sophisticated. Yet, your comfort is not sacrificed with this outfit. It looks cozy enough for lounging and proper enough for a job interview.

With the right material, such a top is also good for keeping the cold away when you’ve got a meeting on a rainy day. Get a turtleneck in solid colors and a dainty necklace for interest that doesn’t take away the attention from your face.

For leggings, loose-leg ones are your best bet for comfort and function. Athleisure pants have gained traction over the years and for good reason. Need to run a quick errand outside? Slip on some sneakers, and you’re ready to go. 

Keep it simple with a comfy jumpsuit

You can dress smart for WFH meetings with a simple cotton jumpsuit. The sleeves may be short or long according to your preference, with or without a collar. You can choose from wide-legged jumpsuits, fitted, or flared ones. 

This outfit eliminates difficulties in pairing a top and bottoms and will have you looking great on screen. You wouldn’t have to worry about standing up-this outfit got you covered. Choose to keep it classy by wearing one that does not reveal your decolletage. 

Create a powerful yet feminine silhouette with a wrap dress

If jumpsuits are not your thing, try wrap dresses. A wrap dress is like a blouse and skirt combined—it hugs your body in one piece with a front slit that goes from the neckline straight down to the hem. Wrap dresses are great to wear for virtual meetings and are fun to style with accessories. If you’re doing housework before or after your Zoom conference, this type of dress will not go in your way. 

They’re perfect for lounging as most of them come in soft materials. They come in different hem lengths, so go with the one you’re most comfortable with.

We recommend a wrap dress with covered-up shoulders for a business casual look and an A-line cut in knee-length so it does not ride up when you stand up, and the camera is on. 

Skip the niceties by putting together a sweater and a skirt

For colder weather, you have a valid excuse to wear a lightweight sweater or a knit cardigan with buttons in lieu of formal blazers. You can pair it with your trusty office pencil skirt, half-tucked in, and off you go looking smart all day. In picking a sweater, we recommend one that is not too fit or too loose. 

As for the pencil skirt, it’s time to bring them out of the closet and wear them in the house. This trick saves you from buying WFH outfits and maximizing what you currently have in your wardrobe. In choosing your pencil skirt to wear at home, pick stretchy but not overly fitted ones. This choice allows you to move your legs better for a stretch or use the stairs with ease.

Look properly ‘coordinated’ with top and bottom sets

Gone are the days when sets apply only to pajamas. The 2020s made sure that coordinates evolved into casual and workwear. Sets have become a WFH wardrobe staple since they can be worn almost anywhere, from quick trips to the grocery to a walk in the park. They are even suitable to wear during casual Fridays when your company allows them. 

This time, you can wear loungewear while you work from home and stay suitably fashionable while you meet with your boss and colleagues on Zoom.

Pick a pair in pastels or neutrals for a fresh online vibe within your office dress code. A nice pair in soft cotton or linen would give you both comfort and style.

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Our Final Say

You can dress smart for WFH meetings without sacrificing comfort by knowing the right garments. Choose outfits that make you look put together for work, but are casual enough to wear around the house. 

Our recommendations suggest balance—some pieces might already be in your closet so there’s no need to buy more outfits. Our style picks are dual-purpose; you don’t need to change back into your sweatpants after a meeting. No matter if you choose to pair them with fluffy house slippers or your favorite heels, those who see you will feel your subtle yet powerful presence.

READ MORE: Celeb-Inspired: 11 Best Pairings of Classic White Shirt for Women’s Office Wear