What to Wear at Home

Are you anything like me? I’m definitely guilty of wearing sloppy clothes around the house for years. I never really cared about it. Usually, I just downgraded unloved or worn-out clothing to serve as home office outfits, gardening gear, or loungewear.

As a solo entrepreneur, I definitely spend more hours working from home than out and about. And since I’m more aware of how the clothes I wear influence how I feel – I no longer neglect this major part of my daily life.

But I also know that we all want to feel comfortable sitting in front of the computer or running to get everything else done. But comfy doesn’t necessarily mean sloppy. So when you also think your appearance needs a bit of an upgrade, read on. Here are my real-life tips on what to wear at home to feel comfy and confident.

But first, let’s start with …

What Not to Wear at Home

Changing the way I dress at home made a notable difference. Buying quality clothes dedicated to being worn inside – for home office days as well as lounging – was a huge win.

In the past, I completely underestimated how what I wear at home impacts my self-esteem and what I get accomplished. Today I know that wearing sloppy clothes on home office days just makes me feel sloppy. When I neglect my appearance, I tend to be less confident and less productive.

And if I wear unattractive garments for lounging, it has a comparable effect – I feel alike. By the way, the same applies to sleepwear and undies.

The time we spent inside, especially the time we take to rest and replenish, is valuable. This value should not be diminished because no one (besides our partner or family members) sees us. So why should we downgrade clothes and wear something worn out, baggy, unflattering? This doesn’t really make sense, right?

"You are as the sun; the world is your stage; even without an audience, shine."– Matshona Dhliwayo Click To Tweet

In the beginning, trying to come up with ideas on what to wear at home wasn’t that easy. But then I understood that I have to plan this part of my wardrobe like the rest of it. Working from home, getting housework done, running errands, and lounging is part of my everyday life. Since I quit my corporate job, clearly the major part of my day. The key is to give this section of your lifestyle the priority it deserves. This also means allocating a decent budget for suitable clothes. We should allow ourselves to invest in quality and be selective. Not different in any way to choosing outfits for activities outside of our homes.

Example Outfit Formulas

Of course, everyone’s style and needs are different. So take these examples only for inspiration!

Working from Home

From my experience, a mix of comfy and formal works best. I usually choose a comfortable, stretchy bottom and combine it with a blouse or a dressy top. Here are some outfit combinations I love:

Elegant, monochromatic look: Stretchy trouser and fitted T in the same color, upgraded with my favorite watch or other jewelry
High and low mix: Quality jog pants and a crisp white shirt
Scandinavian style: A lovely dress plus a cozy cardigan

What to Wear at Home — Thanks for saving this pin to one of your inspiring boards!

Lounging

Depending on the fabrics you choose, your loungewear can have a completely different vibe. These pieces are cozy but also very elegant:

Cashmere top and bottom (loungewear set)
Merino wool or cashmere cardigan and socks
Silk pajamas, silk top
Silk, viscose, or wool (wrap) dress

All Other Things Around the House

Of course, there are things to do around the house for which we don’t want to wear our silk pajamas. But this doesn’t mean that we have to wear our oldest clothes for cleaning or gardening. And yes, there are exceptions. I downgrade some of my clothes and wear them to paint a wall or do similar messy DIY tasks once or twice a year. But for what I have to do regularly, such as cleaning my home, I have some dedicated clothes. Having to do all these things isn’t always fun. But we shouldn’t make it worse and wear something that makes us feel terrible. Here’s what I wear:

Wide-leg yoga pants and a wrap top
Comfortable jeans and a fitted white T
Quality leggings and an oversized cotton shirt

What to Consider When Buying Clothes to Wear at Home

Fabrics and Care Instructions

Most likely, you want to wear something fresh and clean every day. This means you’ll have to wash your clothes frequently. Here are some tips to make it easier for you:

Buy clothes in similar colors so you can wash them all together.
Consider the extra effort when you choose hand-wash or dry-cleaning only fabrics.
Go for natural, ‘self-cleaning’ fibers. A lightweight wool jumper, for instance, can be worn more often than a synthetic T.
Invest in quality, so items don’t need to be replaced that often.

I’ve created a series of posts that deal with how to best take care of your clothes.

The ‘less, but luxe’ principle (quality over quantity) also applies to shopping for clothes to wear at home. In these articles, I talk about why choosing quality is a good idea and how to find it:

Fit and Comfort

We want what we wear at home to be comfy and flattering. One solution can be to wear garments that stretch. However, everything that’s too stretchy often looks baggy just after a few hours of wear. The trick is to choose fabrics that have just the right amount of elastic fibers. So they stretch but snap back into shape. Some brands label their jeans and trousers as ‘stay in shape’; these garments are definitely worth trying.

The Temperature in Your Home

Some of you may have an airconditioned home with constant temperature throughout the year. But all others have to consider changing seasons also for the clothes they wear at home. Naturally, the temperature differences aren’t that huge compared to being outside. But, still, we have to adjust our clothes a bit.

Tips to Stay Warm

Layering more fitted pieces is usually more flattering than wearing one junky garment. Plus, you can easily adjust to cooler temperatures by adding another layer. Layering also works well when changing between sitting at your desk to running around the house to get things done.

Tips to Keep Cool

When it’s hot, go for natural fibers and cuts that aren’t too tight. This allows air circulation to keep you cool. Linen is lovely for summer, but only if you don’t mind that it gets pretty wrinkled. Cotton or cotton blends are also the right choices for warmer temperatures.

Additional Tips for Feeling Great at Home

Despite investing in clothes, there’s another important thing we can do to feel great at home. And this is to always be groomed. When we take care of our appearance, we feel better. It’s that simple. Now you might say, but what if I’m single and no one will see me? The thing is, it doesn’t matter. Grooming is something, we do for ourselves. Because we’re worth it.

Honestly, I don’t think we can look good without being groomed. No matter how stylish we’re dressed or how expensive our clothes are. Hence, taking care of yourself is the most important thing to do. Even when you know, you’ll spend the entire day at home.

A little bit of makeup does wonders. I say this even though I’m not really a makeup person. I only use a a few selected products and I don’t like overdone looks. Still, a tinted moisturizer, a bit of blush, and a hint of lip color make you feel fresh and put-together all day. So experiment and find a makeup routine that works for you.

The same goes for your hair. There’s no need to struggle with your curling iron every day. But our hair should be clean, fresh, and styled. Again, experiment to find one or two go-to hairstyles that are easy to do and don’t stress your hair too much.

And there you have it. These are my tips on what to wear at home to feel comfy and confident.

Like the idea of less, but luxe! …? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more tips and inspiration. Plus, join my email list to receive regular updates and content exclusively available to my readers!

What do you wear at home? I continuously look for new inspirations, and I’d love to hear what makes you feel comfy and confident!

What Not to Wear at Home