The Stay At Home Uniform

There is a certain preconceived notion about fashion for the Stay-Home mom who is also a Home-School mom. I mean, when people hear that we home-school, they'll ask the kids "So do you do school in pajamas?! (Yes, sometimes.) But I like to make some attempt to get past sweatpants and teeshirts and slippers as my "uniform." My husband telecommutes, as well-  can you imagine if we all just dressed in sweats? I can't imagine what message that would send. Some of my kids go to school, and I know that I have a problem with teachers who show up to the school dressed unprofessionally! If it matters what they wear, then it matters what I wear.

If you dress as a person of respect, you will be given that respect. If you dress as though you just rolled out of bed, no matter your intelligence or qualifications, you will never gain the same amount of respect by your colleagues. No matter how hard we try to believe that looks do not matter, THEY DO. What separates you from your intellectual equals is often the superficial: the firm handshake, the confident air, the better resume paper and the attire you chose. source

Most workday, we are indeed more productive if we all have on *work* clothes. My man having on his "work" shirts helps the kids know Dad is At Work, even if he is in the house. He is also less likely to waste company time if he's in his work "uniform." Plus, he is always ready for a conference call- even if it is a video conference call.

For MY part-- I used to be "comfortable" in my denim jumpers and sweatshirts but realized that I'm a grown up now. MY comfort is completely irrelevent in the grown-up world. It's a message I tell my kids all the time-- You are not on this world for your personal comfort. You are here for the betterment of other people and the earth. Yourself is a distant step down. So "home business casual" is the uniform for home-schooling and telecommuting. 

To protect clothing in the kitchen, I wear an apron. I have a collection of aprons and find them a fun accessory and absolutely essential to protecting my outfit when I'm cooking or cleaning. I really like a pocket apron when I'm moving through the house, to pick up all those little things that are laying about and need put away. If I am going to the garden, working in the yard, or building or doing heavy cleaning then yes, it is appropriate to wear clothing that is appropriate to the job. One simply must change clothes between tasks.  It helps to block tasks so that you are not changing clothes unnecessarily or incessantly.  Unless one is four-or-five years old- then it's apparently de rigeur.

I didn't use to get dressed to makeup and shoes (and I still don't manage it *every* day), and I slacked back then. I was depressed, too. My house was a mess. My kids weren't being disciplined. No one had much respect for me, and why should they? I didn't seem to respect myself.

I never have to worry now about getting an invite for coffee- I'm ready! I can invite people over or accept drop-ins. I'm ready. Once in a while, DH and I will look at each other, tell the kids to make themselves a backyard picnic, and we run out for a business lunch. Because we can.

What is your definition of "home business casual"?  For me it's our trusty jeans - I have a jean knee length skirt, too.  Our collection of message tees is still OK in my book.  My man has black company issued logo tees and a couple logo collared twills for "dressing up."  I find dresses more comfortable than jeans in warmer months, so I have my collection of spring-summer skirts and dresses. I use big chunky necklaces and fun earrings to dress up the tees.