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Refresh Your 2021 Work From Home Wardrobe

Updated: Nov 12, 2021

Working from home or WFH as it is more commonly known, made quite the hit last year with millions around the globe staying home to keep safe during the raging pandemic. Many trends were documented in 2020, from the remote home office to the WFH ensemble which comprised sneakers and the beloved tracksuit. Enter 2021 and the novelty of loungewear now wanes.




COVID-19 continues to dominate the news airwaves with many news outlets documenting many more casualties and fearful spikes in hotspot regions in the country, forcing us to remain indoors. This means that more additions of hoodies and leggings will find their way into our closet - or does it?


Many social media influencers have packed away their loaf tins and boldly expressed their body and life goals and are hopeful yet for a better year. This outlook is creating a ripple effect down to their millions of followers with many looking to ditch their sneakers for a pair of heels. 2021 is ripe with the potential for style to find its way back into our lives. Read on for five simple, yet sophisticated ways to improve your 2021 WFH wardrobe.



The basic blazer

This gender-neutral item is a staple in any professional’s closet. It can be worn over just about any outfit and is a piece that will last for years if you buy one of good quality and maintain care of the item.


Donna Miszewski, Senior Planning Manager at value fashion e-tailer RunwaySale, cements the versatility of the blazer: “By choosing a black, white or navy blazer, you are retaining a more classic look. This year, however, ushers in refreshing change with softer sorbet colours making their entry, so a pale lavender blazer layered over a white shirt can work just as well and offers a bit of colour therapy for those joining your Zoom meeting,” she says.


Given the move towards conscious fashion choices this year, don’t just reserve your blazer for client meetings, sometimes wearing it while you work is enough to keep you motivated and keep you in a productive frame of mind.



Dependable denims

Gone are the days where it was compulsory to wear a full two-piece pantsuit to work. Now, pairing denims with a formal shirt or a blazer sets the tone for a productive day ‘at the office’. If you don’t have them already, invest in a good pair of blue jeans which can be worn with just about any item of clothing, and can be dressed up or down with shoes and accessories - think Victoria Beckham in her classic jeans, heels and blazer combo.


Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels


Sophisticated shirts

Perhaps the most traditional clothing pieces for office wear is the trusty collared button-down. For both men and women, no workwear wardrobe is complete without a crisp, white shirt.


Easily paired with jeans, skirts, or formal pants, it’s the quintessential office wear piece. Much like the blazer, it can be used to layer your outfits. You could throw a shirt over a short dress and still feel professional and dressed to take on your workday.



Trusty tees

Admittedly, most people are more likely to opt for a trusty tee rather than a button-down, and that’s okay too! As casual as t-shirts are, they also happen to be incredibly versatile and can be dressed up with little to no effort.


Let’s face it, sometimes we wake up just a little too close to our first meeting of the day, leaving no time for a full morning routine. On occasions like these, it’s great to have a few plain, unbranded tees on hand to simplify the workday while still keeping things professional. You could accessorise yours with sparkly earrings and a giant watch.



Dress your face

Last year saw clean skin trending with more women loving the freedom working from home offered as far as retaining and maintaining an unnecessary daily make-up routine was concerned.


“For some women, wearing make-up is considered a form of war paint with which they equip themselves to take on the day ahead. Never underestimate the boldness and confidence a light lick of make-up offers the wearer. A light application will complete your outfit and help you feel more ready to take on the day which lies ahead,” says Miszewski.

2021 is already looking better given the introduction of fashion trends that this year, promote hope through colour and versatility. Be bold, be daring and get out there and make this year yours as a fashionably forward South African!


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