Fall Forecast: What to Wear to Work from Home

In early 2020, the world began what is undoubtedly the largest work-from-home experiment in history. Now, as countries reopen but Covid-19 remains a major threat, organizations are wrestling with whether and how to have workers return to their offices. ​​- hbr.org

According to a poll taken this past April, about 20% of the U.S. working population has been working from home as a result of the pandemic. And according to a recent study, that shift may become permanent and the percentages may increase substantially.
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By altering attitudes toward working from home (WFH), COVID-19 may have forever changed the way we work. According to a new MIT study, half of those who were employed before the pandemic are now working remotely. -hbr.org
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Black Women Working from Home
​May Experience Negative Bias

​Deep-rooted cultural attitudes and stereotypes about women of color have too often devalued their work and deprioritized their needs, leaving them without helpful supports. Both of these dynamics play a role in shaping the experiences of women of color and the potential impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. - AmericanProgress.org

Working from home often leads to dressing more comfortably, even when online meetings occur. But this may not be such a good idea for black women working from home.

They already face systemic bias about lower class status, and dressing more casually may lead to the perception that they are less professional, experts say. The observed environment and work spaces seen in the background when employees are in Zoom meetings also may lead to negative perceptions.

I not only style myself for my business and professional virtual meetings, I also carefully curate my physical surroundings, for the virtual “guests” in my home. In the same way that someone might decorate their office or work cube, I present my work-from-home space for the new virtual theater of video meetings. In my mind, I can’t show up to the Zoom meeting as casually as my non-Black counterparts do. - Delanie West 
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Fall Business Dress for Working from Home

​Though predictions abound about how the COVID pandemic will lead to the end of professional business attire once it's all over, black women working from home and attending Zoom meetings cannot afford to pay attention to them. So what should we be wearing?

When dressing for business professional, women should wear tidy dresses, skirts or slacks. Tops should include neat button-down shirts or blouses with a blazer. Business professional shoes include classic heels no higher than three inches, loafers or tidy flats. Women can accessorize with minimal jewelry and belts. - Indeed.com
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So there you have it - though you can choose between pants or a skirt, your work from wear should include jackets and button-down blouses. For makeup, wear mascara, a natural blush look & a little lipstick.

If you're working from home right now, what do you wear?

See you tomorrow!

Love, Jeanine
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