With very few reasons to leave the comfort of your own home, it can become very tempting to spend all your time in leggings, joggers and various other types of loungewear. Believe me, though—there will come a time when the novelty of putting on your activewear and sports gear every day will wear off, which is exactly why we’ve put together this article.
Of course, the allure of athleisure is that it is indisputably comfortable, though at our respective Who What Wear home offices (read: dining tables, couches and bedroom floors), our editorial team have discovered several other outfits that are equally as comfy yet look far more put-together. From flowing skirts to loosely cut jumpsuits to a myriad of printed midi dresses, these looks are so comfy they’ll allow your leggings to return to their rightful position as items you wear solely while working out.
Having spoken to several women who’ve made careers of working from home, each of them stressed the benefit of properly getting dressed, not only for productivity purposes but also because of how it can affect your mood. So without further ado, here are 15 looks—all tried and tested by the Who What Wear editorial team—that we think are just as comfortable as leggings.
“I find that colour and print really lifts my mood, so it tends to be what I reach for when I’m feeling uninspired. I have lived in this tie-dye top from small independent brand Marcia and paired it with these jeans from Gap and my Marks and Spencer pumps that double as slippers. I’m one of those people who take long-haul flights in jeans, so to me, they are as comfy as leggings.”
“When I want to feel a little more put-together at home, I’ve been wearing sating slip skirts, as they are really easy to wear and look great with a blouse or T-shirt. I bought this set last summer from Topshop.”
“I am using my time indoors to break-in any shoes that were a little uncomfortable, so I keep wearing these Aeydē loafers to soften them up. This American Vintage cardigan is the cosiest knitwear piece I own, and I’m wearing it with white jeans to make it feel more summer-ready.”
“Surprisingly, these Zara jeans are actually comfortable, probably because they’re slightly stretchy and are culottes. This men’s shirt is also great for making you feel smart, but as it’s loose, it won’t make you feel stuffy when doing all your Zoom calls.”
“Ahh, my Adidas trousers. I love these so much. I’d been looking for a similar pair for months and then I found these on eBay for 14 quid a couple of years ago. They’ve seen me through my pregnancy and now still work two years on when paired with a shirt.”
“Comfort factor is high with a flowing dress. I bought it last summer and knew it I’d wear it again once the weather got warmer this year.”
“I absolutely despise the feeling of tight clothes, so this floaty wrap skirt is ideal. It’s fancy enough that it makes me feel like I’ve got everything together but it’s easy and laid-back enough that I’m comfortable to wear it all day at home.”
“This dress is by far the comfiest thing I own. It’s loose all over so it’s super cool on warm days in my stuffy flat! When I’m hot and bothered, this is the first thing I reach for.”
“I have always been a big fan of boilersuits and jumpsuits. In the winter, I reach for soft fleece or jersey designs, but for warmer months, this lightweight bubblegum-pink number is a real winner. It gives me that all-day-long pyjama feeling with an added level of chic.”
“I’ve said it a thousand times before, and I’ll say it again: You really can’t beat a good jumpsuit. I probably have too many in my closet, but honestly, they’re so easy to wear and super simple to style. I bought this Mango style secondhand and I’m in love with the utilitarian loose fit and muted sand shade. Obviously, socks are the chosen addition for days confined to the sofa, however, it also looks fab with Birkenstocks and a chunky necklace for my daily walk.”
“Okay, so this isn’t something that I mooch around in on a daily basis, however, a summer dress is one of those items that never ceases to give me a mood boost—especially if I’ve been living in loungewear all week. Saying that, it’s loose-fitted, smocked at the bust and the fabric has an intentionally crinkled finish, so it’s ideal as a low-maintenance wardrobe hero to throw on in the morning.”
“This is probably one of my favourite WFH outfits. I bought both the Ganni shacket and the Lululemon trackies pre-lockdown not knowing that they’d turn out to be invaluable over this period. The jacket is easy to throw over a T-shirt but still adds some interest, while the tracksuits manage to look surprisingly smart thanks to their tailored fit but feel like you’re wearing pyjamas. They’re truly a godsend.”
There’s something so freeing about a loosely cut jumpsuit. It’s the ultimate all-in-one outfit that lets you look somewhat put-together but still like you’re wearing a tracksuit.
Slip skirts and jumpers have been a winning combination for me this month. Equal parts stylish yet very low effort, which is exactly what you need when waking up in the morning during times like this.
I’ve worn this dress more times than I can count since buying it earlier this year. It is polished enough to take me to work and weekend dinners yet also happens to be one of the most comfortable things I own. It’s the perfect throw-on item for days at home when I can’t bear the thought of another pair of leggings.
