Working from home as coronavirus prevention? Here are great outfit ideas for looking stylish while staying in

We're acutely aware of the symptoms, dangers, and side effects of COVID-19 by now, including the mass hysteria that has spread just as quickly, if not more quickly, than the disease itself. Yet, there's one lifestyle change that is happening no thanks to the coronavirus situation, that isn't as widely discussed — the shift from working at the office to working from home. As more Singaporeans are put under a pseudo professional house arrest, so too are they experiencing a shift in their daily habits. Obvious upsides include not needing to commute or put on office apropos makeup, but there's the very real risk as well that staying home might be a little too comfortable for productivity. That's where a little dressing up can do the trick.

Think of the ideal working from home outfit as being in between completely casual home wear and something more dressed up you'd actually wear to leave the house. The sweet spot can be thusly described: comfortable enough that you don't feel ludicrous at home, and dressed up enough for you to step right out for a quick walk or coffee run or to receive a guest. Those are, of course, hypothetical guiding thoughts. Social distancing, remember?

Assuming video calls are taking the place of meetings, the top half of your outfit will be important. On that end, it could be business as usual — your work blouses and shirts, jackets, and what have you. Below the waist, however, you can take a leaf out of the old broadcast newscaster joke archetype. Sweatpants or shorts, it doesn't really matter so long as it's not visible.

Athleisure is also a great source of WFH outfit ideas since the whole crux of that style is the meeting of comfort and chic. We've written about the post-athleisure world, and that rulebook is very much applicable even if the plan now involves staying in and skipping the gym. The key takeaway: get into clothes cut from premium fabrics that are comfortable enough to stay in all day long.

But maybe you're coming to learn that your entire fashion get-up informs your state of mind more than you'd like. As in, without being dressed for the office, you can't actually get into a mode of productivity and focus. That's not a bad thing, and there's a case for actually getting into outfits for this unique way of working. For one, putting on an outfit for the day — as in, properly getting dressed and ready — keeps you from getting back into bed. For another, it can be a real booster for a professional and confident mindset.

There's a whole movement in fashion of luxe essentials that elevate basics with pleasurable twists. The look of these — from brands like Khaite, Bode, Rosie Assoulin, and Rachel Comey — tend to be craft-focused and unfussy. They're far from dressy, and the designs tend to suggest rich and interesting inner lives. Classic items such as shirts and knitwear given an update with hand-wrought finishes that look as chic as they feel good to wear. Now might be a good time to look into these fashions. Outside of regular office hours, they're perfect for casual weekend wear. These days though, we'd wager that they make just as strong a case for a home office situation.