My 5 Secrets for Staying Happy and Stylish While Working From Home

Meet Lisa Aiken, fashion director of Moda Operandi and one of our personal style icons here at Who What Wear. Lisa is championed within the industry for setting trends and spotting new designers like it’s no one’s business. No really—if there’s a cool new brand or rising trend, she’s not only already wearing it but has also edited it into Moda Operandi’s shopping selection for all to enjoy. Since we’re always looking to Lisa for our next shopping move, we’re thrilled she’s agreed to join us as a columnist on the site, serving the latest and greatest when it comes to trends, style, and shopping. Today, it is with great honor and excitement that we welcome her as she discusses all the ways she is staying stylish and healthy while at home.

I first would like to start out by saying I hope everyone reading this is staying safe. It’s the time to stick close to loved ones, whether near or far, and keep everyone you can in good spirits. Quarantine isn’t easy for anyone, but I’ve found the notion of "fashion” to not only be a real mood lift during this time but also a constructive way of keeping my days in order. It goes to show the old sentiment of "heels altering the way you feel” is a real thing. While I may not be going quite that far, here’s how I’ve been maintaining a sense of normality through my clothes and otherwise…

1. Go Back to the Basics, But Make it Fashion

Basics are a vital part of anyone’s wardrobe and now is the time to lean into them even more. I’m turning to T-shirts and tank tops but with a fashion twist. Think The Attico’s leopard bold-shouldered tee or Zimmermann’s asymmetric tank. They really do make you feel just a touch better. 

Shop fashionable basics:

2. Stick to a Routine

We’ve been taking cocktail hour pretty seriously, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. No cocktail hour is complete without cocktail attire. Translation: a slip dress feels easy yet decidedly more dressed-up than anything else from the rest of the week. It’s the perfect way to maintain a distinguished difference between weekdays and weekends when they can start to feel rather blurred. 

Shop slip dresses:

3. Update My Zoom Uniform

It’s a given Zoom has taken over our lives both socially and professionally. I’ve been quite lucky to be particularly busy during this time so I find myself on Zoom most days, almost all day long for meetings with team members and vendors alike. Everyone’s been talking about "dressing from the waist up” and putting on your best top or sweater, but my approach is through jewelry. I’ve always viewed layered gold necklaces as a staple, and now they’re doing the heavy lifting for me when I have to turn on my video camera. 

Shop gold necklaces:

4. Dress Up on the Weekends

I’ve found that dressing similarly to how I do in my normal life has immensely helped my mental state. While I may not be in a dress or skirt every day, I’m still turning to semi-tailored pieces that lean a bit more comfortable. Nanushka makes the softest vegan leather—its Bermuda shorts make me feel like I’ve really gotten dressed. As someone who has always been keen for a jumpsuit, I’ve found myself relying on them now more than ever before. 

Shop shorts and jumpsuits:

5. Daydream About My Future Self

While I may not know when I’ll be wearing these pieces exactly (quite frankly, I love them so much I don’t even care when), this will be my future self. These cult pieces from the spring runways will get their much overdue exposure one day. This Bottega Veneta one-shoulder number is a hot dress that I can’t wait to put on when the time is right. 

Shop clothes I hope to wear soon: