member for 33 weeks 5 days
You've seen the caricature--a frazzled, saggy-bosomed woman in sweat pants, sitting at a table littered with paper, ink pens and overturned coffee cups. Throw in a floor full of toys and a laptop and POOF! The perfect stereotype of a work-at-home mom.
Is that image fair? Of course not. But is it deserved? Hmm . . .
Have you ever stopped to think about the message you're sending to others about your business when you're running around in sweat pants? More important, have you stopped to consider what kind of message you're sending yourself if you don't bother to get dressed in the morning?
For me, "getting dressed" means a suit, even on the days I work out of the home office. It helps me transition into "work mode" more easily and, at the same time, sends a powerful message to family and friends: "Lisa is at work now."
Maybe a suit isn't appropriate for you. But how about a nice knit top and a pair of khakis? If you're having a problem getting your spouse, parents, children or drop-in neighbors to respect your time, try looking at the image you're presenting. Getting dressed in the morning may not get you all the respect you deserve as a work-at-home parent, but it might be one tiny step toward getting the people closest to you to take you a tad more seriously the next time they feel the urge to impose, "because you're home all day, anyway."
But you tell me. Do the clothes you wear really have that big an impact on how others treat you as a WAHM? Do the "right" clothes make you feel more motivated? Or am I just a cranky old dinosaur in nylons?
Comments
Login or register to post a commentWorking in P.J.s all day
I'm a huge believer in dressing how you feel as opposed to how you should. I understand that you can't wear sweats to a meeting. But if done right you can wear what you want, feel how you want and still express the mode you're in (at home anyway).
For example I've been known to wear a pair of jeans,a tank and a three button suit jacket(from my work days)just to go grocery shopping. So personally I say if you want to be comfy and you're working at home...LOOK COMFY.
There are so many options availabe to women when it comes to clothes. For example if you want to wear sweats, make sure the sweats fit you right and preferably have a cute matching jacket. Throw your hair back and put on some pearls and VOILA... comfy yet polished. Just make sure to leave the stockings in your lingerie draw LOL(I'm just kidding about the stockings although they really are just not necessary).
1vida
It's your life...How do you live it? Better yet...Dress for it?
I work from home and I agree
I work from home and I agree actually with both. I have to be comfortable and honor how I am feeling for the day, but at the same time I do make sure I get myself ready before I start the work day. This is a great question to ask because sometimes putting on that power outfit puts you in a frame of mind needed to approach the events of the day... today, I wore my gym clothes
Amy V
http://www.aphromesiac.com
Breaking the pajama barrier
I guess, I have to say that for some parts, I agree that dressing up to work in the home office is a good thing. For me, personally, not so much. I work totally alone 99% of the time, my clients and I converse via email or internet or telephone. So they never see what I wear.
Many days I"m up at 4:30 or a bit earlier because I have a few clients who live in time zones where my 4:AM is their 3:PM. Being dressed up that early, for me, just isn't practical. I do dress during the day, Dependant on some factors - 1. Am I leaving the house? I NEVER leave the house not dressed in business attire, or at least with my hair and makeup, nails, earrings, and good clothes. But I've been that way since junior high school. and 2. Whats the weather like? When we purchased our house in '07, my office was the first room I chose, however, I didn't note that it did not have an air conditioning vent until summer rolled around, temperatures climbed well up in to the hundreds and I was near passing out by noon. I still don't have air in here, mostly because its going to cost a butt load of money to get it fixed, so... most days lately, I work in comfortable shorts and a sleeveless tank or tee until I am forced to get dressed to leave the house. Comfort right now, is more important to me than appearance.
As far as how others treat me because of how I'm dressed for work? Like I said, I have a separate office room, not in the usual part of the house, and my kids, grand kids and now ex husband all know, if the door is closed mom's working. Don't bother her.
Thats why I love Victoria Secret Yoga Track Suits
I have the terry cloth ones in every color!
During the day I trade the stock market. In the summertime I actually wear my bathing suit (so I can jump in the pool after the closing bell at 1pm) and in the wintertime I wear my tracksuits.
My husband traded in his corporate khakis and polo shirt two years ago for khaki shorts and a hawaiian shirt. Of course, Arizona is much more laid back (and hotter) than back East...and the product we sell is leisure travel so the image we present is on par.
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I recently read in a
I recently read in a business book, Creating Customer Evangelists, that you are actually more creative and have most of your big ideas when you are walking around in bare feet, no shoes, loose clothes and standing on your feet. Sitting and shoes actually cuts off your creative flow. Interesting huh!