The Real Chic Life

I recently came across a forum where someone posed the question “if you work from home or stay home with your kids, do you get dressed every day?” I read through the responses and I was surprised at the most common answer. Some people did respond yes. But most people said they either stay in their underwear or pajamas. At most, they throw on a sweatsuit because comfort is the ultimate priority at home. The discussion prompted me to think about my own style evolution and the role getting dressed plays in my life. I’ve always been interested in fashion- I used to design and sew clothing in undergrad, I considered getting a fashion MA at one point, and I started a vintage clothing business with my husband. But I struggled to define and refine my own personal style for many years (likely due to a combination of liking too many things, not knowing how to dress my body, and not investing enough in classic pieces). This became even more of a challenge after I had my first child. I suddenly found myself unable to fit some of the things I used to wear pre-baby and also had much less time and energy for shopping. After baby number two, I left my job to become a stay at home mom. By that point my wardrobe consisted largely of athleisure and leftover maternity pieces. There didn’t seem to be much point in shopping for clothes or dressing up to be at home with my babies. I had way more fun shopping for them. But things changed in 2019 after I became pregnant with my third child. I started blogging about motherhood and posting pictures for Instagram. The photo shoots required me to put some effort into looking nice, and I found myself slowly rediscovering my love of fashion and beauty. I noticed that people around me started to have an interesting reaction to my appearance- they started complimenting me on how “together” I was. I felt like I was going through one of the most challenging times of my life while trying to balance the chaos of three under three, but if I looked nice people called me a “supermom.” I’d take the compliments graciously and laugh on the inside. I definitely did not always feel like a supermom, but clearly dressing nicely gave people the impression of success.

More importantly, I’ve come to learn that getting dressed every day actually makes ME feel more confident and successful. Eventually I took a break from posting to Instagram but I continued to get dressed every day to homeschool my kids. I consider it an active step to protect my mental health each day. Choosing an outfit feels like an acknowledgement of who I am outside of my role to others. And I’m still learning and refining my personal style, which can be a fun endeavor. The time I take to get ready each morning feels like an act of self-love even if I have to wake up early or make my family wait while I get dressed. It’s like my mom often says, you have to pour into yourself to pour into others. Getting dressed has practical effects as well- I’m never embarrassed to open the door or jump on a zoom or FaceTime call. But this is not just a dilemma for stay at home moms. Working from home is becoming increasingly common, and many people still find themselves unsure of whether or not they should really get dressed during their virtual workday. So here’s a quick rundown of my top reasons to get dressed every day:

1. Boost your mood and confidence: Putting on fresh clothes can improve your mood and make you feel more confident and put-together, which can positively impact your outlook and interactions.

2. Enhance productivity: Getting dressed can help signal the start of the day, setting a mental boundary between relaxation and work time. This can be especially helpful for people who work from home or have flexible schedules.

3. Support your routine and create structure: Dressing up helps establish a daily routine, which can be particularly beneficial for maintaining mental health and a sense of normalcy, especially during periods of stress or uncertainty.

4. Improve Self-Care: Changing clothes daily encourages regular self-care habits, which can improve your overall self-esteem.

5. Encourage Physical Activity: Wearing appropriate clothes can make it easier to take spontaneous breaks for movement, like going for a walk or running a quick errand.

6. Promote Better Sleep: Maintaining a distinction between day and night attire can contribute to better sleep hygiene, as it helps reinforce the mental transition between day and night activities.

7. Improve Social Connections: Even if you’re not going out, being dressed can make you feel more prepared for social interactions, whether they’re virtual or in-person.

I’ve found that if you’re a sweats or pajamas during the day person and you’d like to start dressing up more, the easiest way to establish a new dressing routine is to adopt a uniform that makes getting dressed quick and easy. My fall/winter uniform is a relaxed button down shirt or a cardigan with jeans. In the summer I pair fitted t-shirts with chino or linen shorts. If I do throw on a sweatshirt I try to pair it with jeans and a cute pair of slippers. Light makeup, doing my hair, and applying a light fragrance also really help to make me feel more put together.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Do you dress up at home? Why or why not? And if you have a work from home or off-duty uniform, I’d love to hear about it.

Xo,

Courtney