Work From Home Capsule Wardrobe Essentials
Are you wondering how to build a work-from-home capsule wardrobe? This guide will show you how to create the ultimate WFH capsule wardrobe full of all the essentials.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
In case you aren’t familiar with the concept of a capsule wardrobe, it’s a collection of clothing that is meant to be worn interchangeably. Capsule wardrobes maximize the number of outfits you can create while minimizing the number of items that you own.
This guide goes into more depth about exactly what a capsule wardrobe is, and how to get started creating your own.
While having fewer clothes might sound daunting, it can actually be quite the opposite. Capsule wardrobes save time when getting dressed in the morning. No more staring into your closet feeling like you have nothing to wear, even though you have tons of clothing!
Capsule wardrobes are a simple solution perfect for anyone interested in minimalism, sustainability in fashion, and saving money on clothing. They typically feature items in a neutral color palette that are easy to wear interchangeably.
You can have just one capsule wardrobe for ALL your outfit needs, or you can have several capsule wardrobes (such as one for each season like a winter capsule wardrobe, or a minimalist capsule wardrobe).
What Is a Work From Home Capsule Wardrobe?
A work-from-home wardrobe is a collection of clothing that allows you to easily create daily work outfits.
For someone who works from home, you probably don’t need a wardrobe that is filled with pencil skirts, dress pants, and blouses. Since you don’t go into an office or other work setting, what you wear for work is probably going to look a lot different from those who do.
More than 60% of workers aged 22 to 65 work from home at least some of the time, and 16% of companies are fully remote (and that number is growing every year!)
Many people got a taste of working from home during the pandemic, with many employees never returning to work five days a week and sticking with a hybrid remote schedule instead.
I have worked from home for years, first with a corporate job and now as a self-employed remote worker, so I’ve had plenty of time to perfect my work from home outfits.
These tips will help you create your own capsule wardrobe with outfits that make you feel comfortable, confident, and productive!
What to Include in a Work From Home Wardrobe
It’s up to you exactly what you want to include in your work from home capsule wardrobe, but I recommend having a small selection of clothes such as tops, sweaters, pants, and shoes you can mix and match to create different outfits each day.
Some people suggest dressing up even if you work from home, but personally, I don’t see a reason to follow a dress code when you are just sitting at home in front of your laptop! Comfortable clothes are much more practical.
That being said, there’s a happy medium to strike. Wearing your pajamas or an old t-shirt and sweatpants while you work from home doesn’t help with productivity.
Putting a little effort into your appearance in the morning before you start work can help set the tone for the day and get you into the right mindset for beginning work.
Personally, I like to dress comfortably for working at home, but I take the time to do my hair (instead of just throwing it in a bun.) It’s the easiest way to look and feel a bit more put together.
Including some versatile pieces in neutral colors is a great way to stay ready for those unexpected zoom meetings or video calls. A cashmere sweater is a great option and a white button-down shirt is a great staple not just for work but for daily life, too.
Work-from-home outfits don’t have to be extravagant, but being prepared for those unexpected phone calls/meetings is always a good idea. Chances are you probably already have many of the items you’ll need already in your current wardrobe.
The following outfit ideas are casual and comfortable, but still professional enough to feel like you’re wearing “work clothes” and not loungewear.
The great thing about a work from home capsule wardrobe is that you can wear many of the same pieces in other scenarios as well (like running errands after work, or going for coffee on a weekend morning.)
Tops
For your capsule wardrobe, you’ll want comfortable tops that you can wear in several different ways and that are also presentable for meetings where you need to be on camera.
Here are some tops to include in your capsule collection:
Crew Neck Sweater
A simple cotton crew neck sweater is a great top to have for the colder months. It’s super comfortable and one of those timeless pieces you can wear with almost anything.
Mockneck Sweater
Another essential for your work from home wardrobe is a black mockneck sweater. Again, this is something that is basic but professional and can be worn with anything.
Short Sleeve Plain T-Shirt
A plain t-shirt is something that’s versatile and can be layered in your outfit. This t-shirt is great for the summer months and perfect for work because it has a few dressier details like ruffled sleeves and ruched shoulders.
As we all know, t-shirts are key pieces not just for work but for many other occasions as well.
Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
In addition to a short-sleeve t-shirt, you can also add a t-shirt with long sleeves like this one with balloon sleeves.
Striped Sweater
Break up those solid colors with a fun striped sweater like this, which comes in several different colors. It’s a super comfortable pull-on sweater that is perfect for working from home.
Sweaters
When you work from home, the weather outside doesn’t have as much of an impact on what you wear. Personally, I get chilly when working from home if it’s cold outside or if I have the air conditioning on, so I like to have a couple of sweaters to wear.
These sweaters are perfect for your work from home capsule wardrobe:
Black Cardigan
Carigans are great pieces to have in your closet, but a simple black cardigan is the perfect item for a home work wardrobe. It’s extremely versatile, pairs well with many bottoms, and is the perfect balance between cozy yet put-together.
Sherpa Cardigan
Another sweater to have in your work from home capsule wardrobe is a fuzzy sherpa cardigan like this one. This is great for chilly days when working from home, or when you need to run out on your lunch break to get something to eat.
Pants
For your work from home capsule wardrobe, you will want a few pairs of pants that you can wear with any of your tops. What are the best pants for working from home?
Comfort is key, so I would avoid dress pants or any other constricting pants while you are working from home. (Unless you want to dress up more, of course!)
These staples are perfect for your work from home capsule wardrobe:
Black Leggings
You can’t go wrong with a pair of basic black leggings for working from home. These are super comfortable and you can pair them with anything.
There are so many cute but comfortable outfits you can put together with just one pair of leggings.
Jogger Pants
Another pair of pants to have in your work from home capsule wardrobe are some comfortable joggers. They’re casual, but will still make you feel more put-together than pajama bottoms.
Flared Leggings or Yoga Pants
Similarly, some black flared leggings are a staple as well. I basically live in these pants every day when I am working remotely.
Comfy Work Pants
A pair of comfortable work pants like these pull-on chinos are great for days when you want to dress up a little more (and professional enough if you ever need to go into the office!)
Sets
Alternatively, if you prefer matching sets, there are plenty of different styles on the market today.
Quarter Zip Sweater & Shorts Set
This set is great because it’s sort of business up top and cozy on the bottom! The quarter zip style definitely makes the pullover a bit more presentable then a hoodie but you’re still comfy enough with the drawstring shorts to sit at your home desk all day.
Shoes
Shoes are probably one of the easiest things to add to your WFH wardrobe. You don’t need multiple pairs of shoes because no one is going to see them anyway!
I’d recommend a comfortable pair of slippers to wear around the house. Unlike in an office or other work setting, there’s really no reason to wear heels, a pair of boots, or loafers around your own home while working.
Ugg Slippers
These Ugg slippers are super soft and comfortable, perfect for wearing around the house. They’re made of suede and lined with sheepskin to keep your feet warm.
Best Places to Shop for WFH Wardrobe essentails
1) J. Crew – J. crew is a great place to shop for any body shape or body type. Whether you need items for the cooler months or for a summer wardrobe, you’re bound to find pieces you love.
2) Stitch Fix – Just because you have a capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean you can’t swap out older pieces for new ones. With Stitch Fix, you get matched with a personal stylist that chooses items for you based on your personal style, needs, and budget.
In order to do this, you fill out a style quiz and pay a $20 styling fee that gets credit toward anything you buy. From here, you will be sent items that your stylist picked for you based on your quiz answers. You try them on and send back whatever you don’t like, only paying for what you keep.
3) Banana Republic – While Banana Republic has long been one of the top retailers of office attire, they are also a leading retailer of home wardrobe essentials. Whether it’s a plain white blouse you’re in need of or a comfortable lounge set, Banan Republic has it all.
4) Abercrombie – If you haven’t shopped at Ambercrombie lately now is the time. The brand recently launched a new line of chic loungewear that is full of mix and match pieces perfect for working from home.
5) Amazon – Amazon is our go-to for just about everything. There is such a wide variety of options on Amazon that you’re almost guaranteed to find something that works for your style AND budget.
The idea of a capsule wardrobe will look different from one person to the next. However, most people find that having a simplified wardrobe makes a huge difference in their day-to-day life.
A well-rounded work-from-home wardrobe will help make getting dressed in the morning a much easier process. Of course, your own personal style will come into play when choosing your exact pieces, but following these steps will have you much more prepared to do so!
