AIBU to think what you wear affects performance at work

[myhandsareverycold]

Just that really.

I work from home and in the community. I find there is a direct correlation between being dressed smartly, make up on, hair done brushed and being in 'at home clothes' to my performance and productivity.

I feel I work better, think better and perform better when I am dressed well.

I always remember my son telling me that his headmaster would remind the pupils to dress extra smartly when it they had an exam. (Remember cufflinks, polish shoes, top button done, tie neat etc) and he has taken this forward in life and always makes an extra effort for important days.

I know it's physiological but does anyone else feel like this or am I just an odd bod!

Would be interested to hear everyone's views.

I agree, I'm another one who wears office wear to work from home occasionally, it helps me get into the right frame of mind.

Our large multi-national has scrapped dress code completely now. People on £100k + come in in leggings or dungarees.

I love it, I was miserable wearing uncomfortable "business attire". Doesn't make any difference to me.

No, makes no difference to me. I worked in a casual office, no difference in productivity among staff but they stayed a lot longer without changing jobs. When I was in school I was always uncomfortable in the uniform and distracted

Doesnt matter what I wear. As long as I've showered, I feel ready for the day!

I work from home.

I'm currently in leggings, a pyjama top and my dressing gown, and do most of my worked curled up on the sofa under a duvet and being cuddled by the dog

I'm productive so long as I've had enough sleep and have got the housework done before I start. I don't normally start work until 10am or so though.

Not the case for me. And where I work has gone fully ‘dress for your day’ with no perceptible impact on anyone. I accept we’re all different though.

I'm the opposite. I think it's more to do with inner confidence, clothes don't make a person neither does makeup. I'm me take me or leave me I don't really care either way. I'm smart and tidy when I need to be but days like today I'm just leggings and a jumper working from home and I've still got through the same amount of work if not more than I would have done dressed up and in the office.

Yes
The more comfortably I am dressed, the better I perform.
Unfortunately, smart office attire gendered for women is very uncomfortable. So I tend to dress gender neutral to offset that factor.

I don't think it's a confidence thing @Wtfdoipick I'm ace at my job and confident I can do it stark naked if I so desired. It's just that feeling like I'm wearing "office" clothes, which are distinct from "home" clothes puts my mind into work mode. I guess it's a bit like only using your bed for sleeping to help with sleep-associations.

I’m used to working from home so it doesn’t make a difference. I also spent a lot of time studying at home when I was studying age so might not have the same Pavlovian associations as someone who didn’t spend much time on academia.

It depends what I’m doing. If I was speaking at an event or conference then I feel much better with my hair freshly washed & finished, with smart but comfortable clothes and shoes. I don’t find formal clothes/‘business attire’ uncomfortable or ill-fitting though, like a lot of people seem to. Also the right shoes & accessories can make a sweater dress look smart

I think there is a correlation, but it is less to do with the clothes and more to do with the mindset I think.

I always work from home. I occasionally meet people, sometimes travel to their houses, and regularly tutor kids in the early evening.
I really only have one wardrobe, but I find myself making a distinction between certain clothes as being suitable for meeting people/tutoring/visiting and other clothes which are only for when I won't be seeing anyone.
It is not tailored etc all my clothes are casual, but it is somehow tidier/nicer!

And I always have clean and tidy hair and never wear make-up.

I am not wearing fugly heels, tight formal clothing or have my face painted beige with red and black circles

I have to ask, did you work for Barnum and Bailey?

I do think its a bit of a shame that so many people seem to equate "work clothes" with "uncomfortable". I spend a lot of hours in my work clothes, i have to look smart-ish, but i dont feel uncomfortable because i buy clothes that fit me and which feel okay. I think actually most people do this! For example, today i am wearing a smart black jersey top and tailored black trousers, with black medium-heel ankle boots. I will not win any prizes for high fashion, but i am smart and presentable, and comfortable. Id be too formal for a tech firm, and too casual for an old-school law firm, but for mid-level public sector, im fitting right in.

I agree - not necessarily that I have to be 'posh', but that I have to feel good and 'together'. But I work in a 'rough' secondary school so if I slack off on the presentation front the kids pick up on it so it's pointless trying to teach them anyway

I am 100% with you. I too work from home and dress for the office when working. I will say though I've never been comfortable in what I call "slouchy" clothes, and honestly have never felt any affinity with the whole "get into loungewear with no bra" thing either.

I guess it depends on your job. I work from home and at the office. I write. The idea that wearing a constrictive frock and a pair of heels would make me feel more eloquent is ridiculous.

But then I've never given much importance to what anyone looks like. It's what you do and say that matters not what you wear.

YABU - I don't need to dress "smartly" (which in any case has so many different definitions) to work properly.

When I wfh I need to shower and dress, in casual regular clothes, I don't feel right in my pjs plus I have a lot of video conferences.

I think it’s going to be different for every individual.

I look for small wins all the time. Feel better when with new clients using a chunky Mont Blanc pen rather than a biro to seal the deal.

Yet when I’m writing up reports, I’d rather be in jeans etc rather than a suit.

I can’t start my ‘productive’ day until I am dressed, hair brushed and makeup on, whether my day involves working or just catching up on housework.

I'm like you OP
I like to be polished and dressed smartly for work. I feel more confident which I think makes me better at my job.
I appreciate it is psychological and not for everyone though.

For working on my own, it makes no difference to me. I just like being comfy.

If I'm in a big meeting, or presenting somewhere, I feel much more confident if I'm casually dressed. Dressing formally makes me feel like I look nervous. If I'm dressed casually I feel much more like I project an air of confidence, and I can prove myself through my words/actions rather than my looks. Completely the opposite to the norm, but it works for me!

Not in the slightest. I work from home a few days a week as I'm 6 months pregnant and it's easier. I'm on the sofa in maternity jeans, comfortable t shirt, hoodie and some slipper socks.

I'm also a solicitor working on a £100k+ file. 🤷 TBH I've had a more productive day today than I did in the office yesterday with less interruptions.

Not for me. I work full time from home. Currently in my holey tracksuit bottoms, a t-shirt and my ex husbands old woolly jumper. Great gear for walking the dog and for slobbing about at my desk. This is pretty normal as I walk the dog before and straight after work every day. No one in work can see me so why change?

For reference I manage multi-million dollar projects a team of 20 and when I meet clients face to face I have full on business suit to wear. I only look like a hobo at home :)

I work from home. Comfortable clothes increase my productivity.