"I’ve worked from home full-time for over four years now. In that time, I’m proud to report I’ve yet to fall into the trap of wearing PJs and loungewear on repeat. The truth is, I’ve always enjoyed feeling put together, even when I don’t (physically) have somewhere particularly important to go. There’s a certain pride that comes with feeling ready to take on the day and a surge of serotonin that accompanies feeling visually composed. I also find it a lot easier to get through the work-from-home day when I’m wearing one of my favorite outfits.
Don’t get me wrong. When I’m working from home, I’m definitely not dressing the same as I would were I physically going into the office. Let’s just say you won’t find me in my home office rocking a blazer and heels (though I have been known to wear the former when conducting a remote interviewer). Instead, my goal is to channel a balance of cozy and put-together. Business casual and practical. Outfits that are equally well suited for school drop-off, Zoom meetings, mini errands, dog walks, and everything in between.
Because I describe my personal style as seasonal, cozy, and preppy, there’s frankly no time of year I’d rather dress for than the fall. Putting together comfortable yet polished WFH autumn outfits is basically a favorite hobby of mine. Here are some of my favorite fall-time outfitting formulas for getting through the work week.
8 Work-From-Home Outfit Formulas
1. Oversized Sweater + Trouser Shorts
An oversized sweater with trouser shorts is my absolute favorite outfit combos. It’s comfortable and preppy and can be styled with a number of parenting-friendly footwear, from flats to boots to loafers. I especially love when I’m able to match a pair of bold-hued shoes with a coordinating color in the sweater. Add tights for chilly days and a headband for when your hectic morning leaves you little time for a beauty routine.
2. Pleated Skort + Crewneck Sweater
I’ve always been a jeans girl, but in recent years I’ve found skirts and skorts to actually be more comfortable, especially when sitting at a desk for hours on end. While no one can see my large and ever-growing collection of skirts over Zoom, I do enjoy wearing them during the workweek for comfort and to feel more put together. I firmly believe that what we wear has an influence on our state of mind and, subsequently, how we present ourselves in mood and stature.
Crewneck sweaters—whether solid or patterned—are a fall staple and look much more professional over camera than a tank or graphic tee. Tall boots are extraordinarily feminine and have become my go-to for extra leg coverage.
3. Straight Jeans + Blouse + Blazer
A blouse is always a solid professional choice when building work-from-home outfits and I’ve found that those with feminine details have a knack for professionally standing out during conference calls. Lace, patterns, and oversized collars all have a way of popping on screen. Straight jeans are a welcome companion: Not too loose, not too skinny. Well suited for a variety of footwear.
Add a blazer (suede is currently trending and overtly autumnal) and a work tote if you’re planning to catch up on email at your favorite coffee shop. Clogs—with their ultra casual appearance—contrast the professional top and jacket, making the ensemble more fashionable. Depending on personal preference and which styles you have stacked on your shoe rack, sneakers can also be easily swapped in.
4. Polo Dress + Barn Jacket
I adore a polo top or dress for a look that’s casually put-together. Comfortable enough to take you from your desk, to school pick-up, to the grocery store, and beyond, but put-together enough to feel like you didn’t just roll out of bed and throw on the first item in sight (even if that’s exactly what happened). This article, with its back-to-school association, also feels particularly well suited for the fall.
Add a pair of tall boots for extra leg coverage on breezy days and to amplify the autumnal essence. This fall I’ve especially been enjoying pairing my knit dresses with Vivaia boots. Aside from making the boots calf-size inclusive (something I’ve definitely thought about as my husband and I ponder the possibility of another child and the inevitable leg swelling that journey will entail), the knit shaft can also be scrunched for an ultra-cozy appearance.
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5. Trousers + Turtleneck + Loafers
While trousers very much throw office vibes, they’re also surprisingly pleasant to wear and—I find—less constricting than denim. Because they’ve recently become a pant of choice among professional women everywhere, there are also tons of options to choose from. As a mom to two young kids, I personally prioritize a pair that’s machine-washable.
A turtleneck is effortlessly stylish as well as practical on brisk fall days. Add a pair of chunky loafers and a blazer and you’re ready to take on whatever the PTA meeting throws your way.
6. Smocked Bodice Dress + Tall Boots
I’m a big fan of smocked bodice dresses. Aesthetically, they’re pastoral and romantic, and functionally, I’ve found them to be one of the few standard-fit items that can also be worn through pregnancy and postpartum. In the fall, I love pairing long-sleeved nap dresses with tall boot socks to stay cozy at my desk and—when I have to leave the house for school and daycare pick-up—an elevated pair of quality leather boots that make the look more chic.
7. Loose Denim + Sweatshirt + UGGs
Skinny jeans are coming back on the scene, but I’m personally enjoying my loose denim for as long as the trend lasts. My husband gave me a pair of UGG Tasman Slippers for Christmas last year and they are easily among my most-worn footwear. I keep them by my desk as a warming house shoe and enjoy padding around in them between meetings while I fix coffee and snacks.
A favorite sweatshirt is an easy choice on casual meeting days (ie: no client calls or leadership huddles) and I can’t restrain myself from reaching for shamelessly seasonal pieces. In the fall, this basically means anything with a pumpkin on it—I don’t try to fight it. Comfortable and requiring little mental energy to pull together, I’d be lying if I said this work-from-home outfit formula isn’t my fall-back combination.
8. Button-Down + Sweater + Comfortable Skort
You can never go wrong with a classic white button-down. During the fall and winter months, I enjoy layering the wardrobe staple with a knit vest or seasonal sweater. Simple mini skorts are comfortable and unassuming—providing a base layer without overrunning your outfit. I have a penchant to reach for tall boots on first instinct, but loafers or flats can also compliment the preppy look quite nicely.
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Emilee Janitz, Contributing Writer
Emilee is an accomplished communications strategist and lifestyle journalist. She currently works on the content team at Enterprise SEO company Terakeet where she creates and executes reputation management strategies for Fortune 500 companies. She is a Contributing Fashion Writer for The Everygirl and has additionally been published on POPSUGAR, Motherly, MSN, and Yahoo.