5 grooming and style tips while working from home

Whether you’ve converted your kitchen table into your cubicle or your bedroom into a boardroom, you’re probably spending more time working at home these days. But, the lack of commute doesn’t mean every day is an excuse to roll out of bed like it’s a Saturday morning – especially when your boss insists on that you fire up your webcam. 

Things are different now and sticking to routines can help us navigate these uncertain times. You’ll do yourself a favor by waking up with a shower, keeping your look (relatively) clean, and throwing on something more than sweats, and the consistency with how you show up will have a positive impact on the people around you. So, ditch the t-shirt, lose the baseball cap, and settle in for these five tips for respectable work-from-home style.

1.) Grow that beard. This is a perfect time try that beard you’ve been thinking about. Not only are beards on trend, but now is the time to go through that awkward “growing out” phase without enduring relentless comments from colleagues, friends and family. Yes, it will itch. Yes, it will be patchy. It may even come in a different color. But better to go through the growing pains in a virtual fishbowl than under the office microscope.

2.) Keep it neat. Beards are not maintenance-free. Unless you have plans to go off the grid, try to keep your beard well groomed. Once your beard is a few days old, start looking at your growth patterns to see what beard style to try. Do you want a goatee? A full beard? How does longer hair look on your face? Try out different looks to see what works for you. If you cut too much, it’s just hair. It grows back. One thing is non-negotiable: keep it sharp. Use a groomer to trim it down to the length you want, define a clear neckline, and then shave the stray hairs on your neck and cheeks.

3.) Don’t forget the rest. Speaking of stray hairs, you may have a few in other places, too. Or more than a few. You don’t want to show up on video calls with wild nose hairs showing! Do the internet a favor and have a trim. And for where the video camera doesn’t go, be a good sport and take care of that, too. Summer is coming soon, and you don’t need another layer of insulation.

4.) Get dressed…and not just from the waist up. You may be stuck at home, but you don’t need to dress that way. Keep it business casual and show up on your video calls with the same confidence (and pants) like you would do in the office. Dig deep into the back of that closet and rotate some retired favorites back in. Build in a day or two for something more casual. Mixing it up with help you appreciate the flexibility you have.

5.) But, always keep them guessing. We know a guy who has been working at home for 12 years, and he’s still sane. Mostly. “Keep your lower-half as demented as possible,” he recommends. He’s partial to Hawaiian board shorts, neon track suit bottoms, and plaid slacks. Keeping a secret below camera level reminds you that this isn’t a normal state of affairs, which can sharpen your edge. It also helps you feel a little distinctive, and that just may be the boost your creativity and productivity needs.