Some Good Style Advice Even If You’re Working From Home

Keys to surviving WFH culture in style

This post is sponsored by Mizzen+Main.

We shot this post two weeks ago, before our daily lives were altered in a very real way. To be perfectly honest, I’ve struggled a bit with how exactly to manage HSS during this time. Do we keep it “business as usual”? Do we pivot and make ambulance-chasing content with a sell-by date? Who even cares about style right now? And why does this matter?

I’ve pretty much answered those questions for myself, but there are two sides to my thinking. Me, personally? My interest is waning. I scroll through my Instagram feed and think, “Whatever. Give me a break. Get over yourselves.” However, I also feel a sense of responsibility to continue to provide something of value for those who have turned to us for seven-plus years–an escape, a distraction, a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. So that’s what I’m going to do and that’s what this is.

This is a post about spring basics. It’s a post about the virtues of dressing simply. It’s a post about comfort and style not being mutually exclusive. Strangely (or ironically or serendipitously) those are all things that aren’t just universal talking points I’d use for a springtime post any old time, it’s also hugely relevant in our current #WFH situation.

Full disclosure: I’ve been spending a lot of time sitting around in sweatpants and a hoodie recently. Why the hell not?! It’s comfortable. Nobody’s judging you. But I have to say that are certainly times I’ve longed to have a reason to get dressed up. (My wife, Robin, has been feeling that itch as well and she took it to an extreme for a virtual cocktail party with colleagues.) If you’re reading these words, you’ve probably felt the same.

While I might not be donning my tuxedo anytime soon–though, never say never, I suppose–there are still ways to look put together without going overboard when you’re needing to feel a little better. And isn’t that what dressing well is all about, anyhow–feeling your best?

If you’re going to dress up to work from home, please keep it simple. Don’t be “that guy” in a three-piece suit flexing to your followers. That’s not real. Don’t pretend. Not now. I actually put out a call on Instagram and YouTube asking for people to send their real WFH outfits to be featured in an upcoming video. We’re all in this together–let’s share and laugh and appreciate everyone for who they are. Honestly, for those looking for some inspiration, I would recommend not overlooking the basics. A white shirt and khakis will totally fit the bill.

Comfort is also something that’s very important. And the two pieces I’m wearing here from Mizzen+Main check that box. They’re made in what you’d call a performance fabric. It’s soft with a 360 stretch, which are key to maintaining that all-day comfort. They’re also wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and machine washable (so no unnecessary trips to the dry cleaners needed–keep practicing your social distancing!).

In general, don’t overthink it, folks. Keep it simple and remember to take care of yourself and others. (And call your parents!)

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style