Put... the pyjamas...down
Could what you wear be affecting your earnings?
Want to show your appreciation for OOO? I bloody love a flat white…
Morning, Colleague!
I hope you had a great weekend and that your Christmas shopping has so far proven less faffy than mine (although I have embraced the necessary self-gifting stage with aplomb.)
My work has dropped into a slight pre-Christmas lull. On the upside, this lets me do all the niggly non-urgent jobs that have piled up over the year. On the downside, it forces me to do all the niggly non-urgent jobs that have piled up over the year.
How about you? Is your work affected by the seasons?
If so, you might be considering ways around this. For example, if you sell a product that goes crazy over Christmas, but expect a quiet January, it might make sense to sell your skills in another way - such as offering online tutorials, a coaching platform or paid newsletter. Similarly, if you’re a service-based worker/freelancer (like me!) perhaps things are a bit slow over December when clients are off on holiday. What if, by next year, you could have a digital product that sells across 365 days? This ‘passive’ income - which you’ll notice involves digital products - is the topic of OOO’s first ever webinar! I’ll be interviewing award-winning business strategist Joelle Byrne, who featured in last week’s issue, about how to find a product to suit your business, and how to get it off the ground. Tickets here!
Thank you so much to those who’ve already bought tickets - your support helps me keep this newsletter free. (And also means I can stop having that ‘is anyone coming to my birthday party?’ anxiety feeling.)
Now, on to this week’s topic.
If you’re reading this in your pyjamas - there’s no judgement here whatsoever…but could it be negatively affecting your work?
‘Ah!’ my employed friends cry, ‘you must wear pyjamas all day, being your own boss! What a dream.’
And here I generally shatter their illusions – for it is just that, a dream. Personally, I don’t think I could stand wearing my pjs all day. It’s one thing when I’m ill, and quite another if I’m looking to get through my to-do list. (Same with tooth brushing - I genuinely struggle to concentrate without clean teeth).
That said, my wardrobe has definitely taken a turn to the casual side since going freelance - not helped by lockdown - and I now own a ‘smart’ tracksuit (as opposed to my ‘slob’ version which is…a sorry affair). I rarely wear make-up at home, and my hair is often left wet and slightly mad. I nearly always wear my ‘more comfortable behind the ears but just a little bit Deirdre Barlow’ glasses.
I’ve never had the sort of job that demands high heels and suits, but I did have various internalised rules when working in an office. Jeans and trainers were for me then, a symbol of the weekend. Now it’s the other way around and I tend to smarten up for non-work days.
Does it actually matter what you wear when you’re self-employed?
Does any of this matter on a day where I’m not seeing anyone? Quite possibly, according to Lindsay Edwards, who runs Reimagise, a personal styling company that specialises in confidence boosting.
“Most self-employed people have to give a good impression of their brand [albeit via video chat at the moment], whether it’s meeting clients, customers or working on promotion,” says Lindsay. “When you’re projecting your image, it’s not just a matter of how you feel about yourself, but how others perceive you. Unfortunately, your image does matter as people will make judgements based on it. If it’s important how they perceive you, then it’s important to get it right.”
Why does it matter what I wear at home?
“Even if you’re entirely based at home, you see yourself reflected an average of 30 times a day, and seeing the worst version of yourself can have a detrimental effect on your self esteem,” says Lindsay. “Some people genuinely love being make-up free and don’t care about their appearance, and that’s fine too, as long as you’re happy.”
But for the rest of us, running a brush through our hair, putting on proper clothes and possibly even filling out our brows can make a big difference in mood.
Studies have certainly found that what you wear can have knock-on effects on your work. One piece of research found that school pupils who wore a Superman tee instead of a plain blue version scored higher in exams. So it’s a reasonable assumption that a work wardrobe that makes you feel empowered could lead to a more productive day.
Create a work/life division
One reason I’ve personally found that getting properly dressed is important (even if it’s a tracksuit) – it helps divide up my work and life. It can be a challenge working in the same spaces where I rest and spend time with my husband. Making sure I’m wearing something different can help to set boundaries. This then makes it easier for me to switch off into ‘pyjama mode’ later on. Wearing them during the day is something I associate with illness or depression – not a helpful vibe when I’m trying to crack on with something.
Lockdown lead to a wealth of memes about ‘Zoom dressing’ – ie, business on the top, slob on the bottom – but Lindsay isn’t convinced this is a healthy compromise. “Many people already struggle with ‘imposter syndrome’, so being half-dressed isn’t going to make you feel prepared for a role.”
So what should I be wearing?
Let’s be clear – this isn’t about buying a tonne of cheap pencil skirts. Working from home is, of course, very different to office life, and enhanced physical comfort is rightly one of our advantages (helping to balance moments of financial discomfort!)
“It’s about finding a balance between comfort, practicality and also an expression of you and your personality,” says Lindsay. “You could also dress to reflect your brand colours when you’re out and about – more of a nod to it rather than all-over colour.”
Could changing colours improve your business?
Another factor behind your outfit is the colour you’ve chosen, and what it says to the outside world. “’Dopamine dressing’ is a wonderful term used to describe how you actively choose clothes that make you feel happy,” says Lindsay. “It is scientifically proven that the sight of certain colours have an instant psychological effect upon us.
“Colours on the warmer end of the spectrum have a stimulating effect, whereas colours on the cooler end of the spectrum, have a calming effect. Try wearing red, orange or yellow to boost your energy, or blue, teal or green to reduce your stress levels.”
Here’s some detail on specific colours, and the effect they might have on you, according to Lindsay:
Red – a powerful, strong colour. It’s not recommended for interviews, as it can be confrontational, but it’s great if you’re in a position of authority.
Pink – a nurturing and compassionate colour, that’s perfect for anyone with a brand covering mental or physical health in particular.
Green – fresh and harmonious, it’s a go-to for anyone working in food or outdoor brands.
Neutrals – a great way to look sophisticated and like you’ve spent a lot, even if you haven’t.
Black – as Posh Spice taught us, it’s a good option if you want to be taken seriously (although it can drown out your personality.)
Navy – a trustworthy hue that implies you’re logical and loyal.
Yellow or orange – optimistic and warm colours.
Leopard – Much to my great joy, Lindsay classes this as a ‘timeless neutral’ (as do I!) and says it can work as a great reminder to be brave.
I find this topic so fascinating – especially because I am extremely nosy about what other women wear. Do you get dressed for the day? Wear make up? Put on jewellery? Or are you happy in your jammies? Let me know in the Out of Office Facebook group – or hit reply.