WORK FROM HOME STYLE – KEEPING WARM EDITION | 3 DIY OUTFIT FORMULAS

Yes, I am sort of scraping the bottom of the barrel style-wise. What’s the point in styling outfits for work, comfort and play (as per my usual ‘3 ways to style’ series), when all the fun, play and comfort is actually happening inside the house? And let’s be honest, it’s all about comfort right now.

So I decided that I will just be sharing what I have been wearing (pretty much on repeat) since we went into lockdown here in the UK. Also, because it’s Me-Made-May 20, I made an effort to only mix and match self-made items.

And what’s all this about keeping warm then, you might be wondering? Well, although the sun is mostly shining and we’re having a glorious spring in London, I’m still darn cold in the flat and I just need my cosies around me when I’m not lifting my bum off the chair (except to grab a cup of tea and a snack).

I’m also sneakily building a series here too, as I know that if the lockdown continues into summer, I will be stewing in my own juices in the middle of my living room soon. So I can then share some ‘keeping cool’ ideas, as I will desperately be needing them.

So, before jumping to the outfits, let me share my ‘Lockdown style principles’.

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‘Work from home’ STYLE principles

Well, that’s something I never imagined I would talk about on the blog. Before the lockdown, I absolutely hated working from home. And if I did, the word ‘style’ never came anywhere near what I decided to put on.

Well, the world is upside down and I’m writing about leggings and joggers on the blog. And you will get to see my slippers, #keepingitreal, as them and my running shoes are the only things I put on my feet in 7 weeks.

So here are my thoughts on what a ‘working from home’ style should be described as.

1| STRETCHY

Well, duh, that’s a bit of an obvious one. I mean, cotton jersey, stretchy fabrics and woollen knits are just synonyms with comfort. But I will also throw in a great pair of skinny jeans with a nice amount of spandex thrown in for good measure.

2| LAYERED

I know, living in the UK, that’s pretty much a given any season, any day of the week, whether you are working from home or going to the office. But I learned that at different times of the day I am also feeling more or less warm, so I need to be able to put stuff on or take them off as required. A nice cosy cardigan is just golden.

3| TWO-FACED

Yes, I know this need a bit of explaining. I wasn’t sure what the right word was. but what I mean is something like those ads where the guy has a shirt and tie on the top part (that is showing in Zoom) and his underpants under the desk. Now, I’m definitely not recommending working in your underpants (or even pyjama bottoms). But what I am getting at is that if you are still working from home, you don’t have to dress up all the way down, but can have a nicer, more formal top, and put on comfy bottoms, even if you would never wear jeans to the office normally.

4| Not pyjamas

I was just talking about pyjamas above, but seriously, don’t! Even if you are not working from home and you don’t need to look presentable on Zoom or Teams, I definitely recommend putting on a semblance of normality. That means changing out of pyjamas and put on some sort of regular programme clothes. I very rarely wear jeans in the house, so putting jeans on signals to me that this is not ‘home time’, it’s work time. Also, really important, I will make myself wear a bra, which is not something I would wear just round the house. It’s again a signal that this is not ‘free time’. However, at the weekend, I will mostly wear a tight cami or a bralette, just for the differentiation.

So, now on to the outfits. I’ve tried to distil them into formulas, so you can get the general idea and watch with items you already have in your wardrobe.

WORK FROM HOME style formula 1 |
Leggings + jersey top + long cardigan

I know leggings are most people’s go-to item for lounging and comfort, but I never wore mine outside of exercising. But I got inspired by Lee from Style Bee and tried it out. And I quite enjoyed the look.

It also gave me a great opportunity to show you this cardigan, which I now call my ‘lockdown cardigan’. I made it in the very first weekend, just after Boris announced that the pubs need to shut down. I was really drowning my frustrations in a sewing machine, ha ha but it worked out so well and I wore it loads these past few weeks.

I know my husband said it looks like a dressing gown, but what does he know? Plus it has pockets, nuff said.

I’M WEARING: Cardigan: Simplicity 8217 coat with alterations (the previous version here), in grey boucle knit; Leggings: Sew Loft Matilda refashioned from an old pair of gym trousers (the pattern is FREE to download, and recommended); Top: long sleeve jersey turtleneck, self-drafted; Slippers: very old (model’s own).

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WORK FROM HOME style formula 2 |
Jersey joggers + sweatshirt

This is another outfit that just screamed ‘not me’ before the crazy times. I have a mental block when it comes to track bottoms, and joggers just remind me too much of them.

However, just before Christmas last year, knowing that it will be a time spent eating, drinking and lounging on the sofa with just Carl, I decided that I need to work on my aversion and just darn make myself a pair of joggers. I mean, elasticated waistband and massive pockets (to hide the candy, of course), that ticked all the boxes. I used a really lush ponte that is almost scuba and they came out great. I even wore them outside of the house a few times (shock, horror) and they definitely got a lot of wear in lockdown.

Btw, they are ankle length on purpose, as I omitted the ankle cuff. I prefer this length to wear with trainers and even pointy flats.

I paired them with one of my favourites makes from last year, a hacked Fibre Mood Nala.

Very comfortable and I can still pretend I have a fancy balloon sleeve quilted top, but deep down I know it’s really a sweatshirt.

I’M WEARING: Top: Fibre Mood Nala Top (hacked), in quilted polyester; Bottoms: Papercut Patterns Anima pants in black ponte;

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WORK FROM HOME STYLE formula 3 |
Stretch jeans + t-shirt + cardigan

These are the best jeans I’ve ever worn. And I’m not just saying it because I made them. They fit perfectly, they are super comfortable (very stretchy), have good recovery and just make me feel like a million bucks.

Too bad no one else will get to see them other than my husband and maybe people on my walks (from 2m away).

But I sure got my money out of them this lockdown.

They are of course a pair of Gingers that I actually made 3 years ago, but whose zipper broke the first time I wore them. They sat in my mending pile for ages and I could not bring myself to unpick the hot mess and replace the zipper. And when I finally did it at the beginning of the year, halleluiah! Best skinny jeans ever!

This is a bit of a casual outfit even for working from home, so I save it for Fridays. Well, if there was a casual Friday in lockdowns, which I would really be surprised about. I can hardly tell the days of the week as it is.

But I do love my Audrey t-shirt, even if my husband keep telling me not to wear it as people will think I have my own face on my shirt!

I added the trusty lock-down cardigan, to keep we warm and I’m ready to sit on my bum for 8 hours in Zoom calls.

I’M WEARING: Top: Basic InstincT tee with (free pattern, reviewed here) screen printed Audrey Hepburn stencil; Cardigan: Simplicity 8217; Jeans: Closet Case Patterns Ginger Jeans, in navy denim.

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SO WHAT’S YOUR WORK FROM HOME STYLE? LET ME KNOW YOUR GO-TO FORMULAS AND HOW YOU’D STYLE YOUR HANDMADE CLOTHES IN LOCKDOWN.

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