Winter Capsule 2018: Yoga pants for working from home

Winter Capsule 2018: Yoga Pants

Promise I'm not sitting in my bed working on my computer all day. But I can't promise I'm not wearing yoga pants while working all day. It's called athleisure.

Do any other work-from-homer's have the daily challenge of getting ready? The Winter 10x10 I did last month helped get me out of this funk but it's easy to fall back into. Especially if you have a service-based career and are on email and in design software all day. Some days I'm 3 coffees deep and have responded to all client inquiries yet failed to brush my hair. How does that happen?!

Winter Capsule 2018: Leggings from the Aerie Chill. Play. Move Collection, #aeriereal | Brave Girl blog | photo by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography

Tip: Get yoga pants in different colors

This is where yoga pants come in. I believe you can wear them and still be productive and creative. My tip? DON'T GET BLACK. I really like the Aerie Chill. Play. Move. collection for their style and color options. Plus they're not super tight like other brands I've tried. I'm looking to have 1 more pair in a different color (put in a Valentine's Day plug to Joel for these. No shame.) These ones are in Deep Plum.

Tip: Wear soft-soled shoes

The other tip? WEAR SHOES. It seems silly to wear shoes when working from home but it gets me in a productive mode required to accomplish daily tasks. I consistently hear from creatives looking to go freelance that they don't think they're disciplined enough to stay focused and hit client deadlines while at home. I'm not saying wearing shoes will fix this – there are personalities that simply work better in solo settings vs. groups – I'm just saying when you're in the blahs you have to do silly things to convince your mind YOU WILL GET SHIT DONE.

Sometimes shoes are the answer. I like moccasins because they're comfortable with soles to feel more like shoes instead of slippers.

I like pairing a graphic tee with them. This long-sleeved Tribe tee has been in my capsule for a few years. I'm VERY picky about typefaces and kerning so it takes me a while to choose. Once I do though, I keep 'em around for a while.

When your closet compliments your lifestyle, you can focus on the fun projects at hand.

Casual style for working from home

I definitely don't wear this yoga pants/graphic tee/moccasin combo for client meetings, press checks, or networking events. At the top of the week and near the end, I plan design time for projects and tackle odds and ends that inevitably pile up when I'm head down creating the rest of the week (taxes anyone?! bah).

That's what this outfit is perfect for. It's also an easy transition for going to lunchtime yoga or walking Tiger. Add a couple of layers, switch out moccasins for sneakers and I'm out the door in five minutes. My style has a lot to do with practicality.

Recommended resource: Free capsule planner by Caroline of Unfancy blog

Self-care in February, join me?

Having a capsule wardrobe has been an ongoing form of self-care for me. As I mentioned here, clothing is emotional, and emotional well-being is important to your success. I'm SO rationalizing getting a new pair of yoga pants, aren't I?

But really when I went full-time freelance last summer I did it on the condition that self-care would be a priority. If I'm not taking care of my well-being, how am I supposed to show up for clients, projects, relationships, and family successfully?

As creatives who love to give we need to remember to give the love to ourselves as well.

So our tanks aren't so empty we turn into design monsters running over every unkerned graphic tee in our path. I'll be sharing a tip each week this month to help infuse self-care into your days if you're needing a little midwinter pick-me-up.

What are some self-care things you do to keep the monsters away? Post a photo or story on Instagram using #iamlovingme and show me. I'd love to add more self-care options to my list as well! xo, Em

Outfit details:

High-waisted legging in Deep Plum (Aerie – similar with pockets for 30% off)
Graphic tee (The Bloomerie)
Moccasins (gifted)
Eyeglasses in Marzipan Tortoise (Warby Parker)

Photos by Leigh Ann Cobb