Online meetings and alternatives to a dressing gown

[MiserableMrsMopp]

Yes, I know the topic is style and beauty and given the title of this thread including a dressing gown for work attire, I am not the target market for this section of the forums. However, here we are.

I WFH exclusively and am in online meetings daily. If at all possible, I like to keep the camera off because I'm a slob. BUT sometimes I do have to go on camera. I need something to wear over my clothes, to stay warm, because I don't have the heating on in the day.

If it's a camera off situation, you'd better believe I'm in my dressing gown. But clearly, as a professional, it isn't appropriate with the camera on.

Does anyone have a suggestion for something I could look less slob-like in, but with the warmth factor of a fluffy dressing gown?

Surely a jumper or cardigan would do the trick? Just layer up.

Can you wear wool? If so it's really warm and can look nice.

I have a heated poncho that I removed for calls. Mines from Lakeland but there are cheap ones on Amazon.

Easier to work from underneath and get a decent, plain thermal underlayer you can put an ordinary top/cardigan/jacket over.

Yeah I wear thermal layers and a jumper. Then have my oodie over my knees, which goes straight back on after the call

I bought a small plug in heated Beurer pad that I sit my back against.

I always have a sweater or a cardigan on and a polo neck, plus scarf. They are fine for on camera. But they're not warm enough.

I do have a heated pad that I put over my legs sometimes, but even that isn't always warm enough.

I DID have a boiled wool jacket I wore for a bit. It looked good, was quite long and was warm, but it was dry clean only and didn't take well to me washing it. 😁

I also have a pair of cashmere fingerless gloves. I like to think they make me look like Helena Bonham Carter.

I wear a cosy navy gillet. Works well.

WFH all the time, lots of online meetings, and a very professional environment. My top tips are:

• get your set up absolutely right - lighting, camera angle, background (no clutter) noise, spot on. Issues with this are worse than what you wear almost.
• Do your hair and make up (if you wear it) when you get up, and keep lipstick by your desk
• By all means, work in your PJs and a dressing gown, but (if in cold place) have at hand near your desk, thermal vest, 2 jumpers (plain, different colours) and either a scarf or jewelry that will match the jumpers, and a mirror. It is a one minute job to whip off the PJ top and "jumper-up, jewelry up, scarf up, lipstick up"
• Once the meeting is over, you can revert, again in a minute, or if you have back to back meetings, at least you won't freeze.

As an aside, it does depend on your job, but someone once told me that when you get up for the working day, you should, in 10 minutes flat "sort yourself out" for the day, and that included a quick shower, quickly dressed / hair / make up / clean teeth, and put your trainers on. I have found that this helps a) it separates the night from the day, I find that I get distracted if I am still in my PJs/dressing gown and don't get on with my proper work, preferring to do almost anything else b) it can help if you have to suddenly stand up in a meeting (doorbell goes etc.) but obv, does depend on the person, and also the job...Hope this helps.

A smart fleece

That’s an oxymoron.

Triple layer - a top, a cardi and a zip up hoody or a fleece.

Why can’t you hear the room that you are in are in and move around more? Layering up will make you sit down more.

I wfh a lot, do hair and make up first thing, wear shirt and lambs wool or cashmere v neck jumpers. Then under jeans, socks and boots. Sometimes layer more than one v neck

Thermal longjohns under your trousers. If your legs are cold, all of you feels cold.

Heated blanket works for me! Over my lap. Plus big fluffy slippers.

Or you could use an oil filled radiator and heat the room

If cold i just heat the room I'm in- with an oil filled radiator.

That's a good idea that I hadn't thought of.
My room is quite large though, I wonder if I could put a little pop up tent around my desk?
Has anyone done this?

Uggs or similar on your feet, thermal long sleeve t-shirt, another t-shirt on top of that and a wool jumper over that. You could put a jacket and scarf over that, or some kind of gilet or wool poncho.
I wore this today in black, over a black cashmere jumper and and several layers underneath.
Layers and wool are your friends, polyester/acrylic is just not warm enough.

Tell that to the finance bros!

This is also very warm, it's called a dressing gown but is actually a long cardigan.

What a strange post, @avignon1234- I’m not sure you’ve understood the point of the thread at all. The OP was not asking for general advice on grooming or how to conduct her online meetings.

Why would you put trainers on if WFH?

Maybe something like this?

Start the meeting with...
"It's a bit nippy today, where I am."

(You will probably have to come back later for the image...)

I’d try and keep things warm out of view of the camera.
Sheepskin slippers/boots and knee high socks.
Sit on a thick duvet and wrap it round your legs.
Maybe put a hot water bottle on your lap, under the duvet.
Easily cast aside if you need to stand up.