Why It’s Important to Dress Up for Virtual Meetings

Working from home offers many advantages. Professionals can often create their own schedules, handle other responsibilities throughout the day as needed, and even work in their comfy sweats while sitting on the couch if they prefer. Wearing business shirts may not even cross your mind. These are just some of the many perks associated with WFH life.

But when there’s a meeting on the schedule, it’s important to make the right impression. Just as you wouldn’t wear a hoodie and yoga pants to the office for your meeting, you should aim to dress up with a similarly polished attitude when preparing for a virtual session. Whether it’s a one-to-one discussion with a higher up, a conversation with a client, or a staff meeting, it’s important to treat it with the same deference. Here’s why it makes such a difference — and what you can wear to ensure a positive impression in any situation.

It’s Good Etiquette

If nothing else, dressing up for your virtual meeting displays your commitment to a positive work ethic and your respect for your job. It’s perfectly acceptable to spend the average workday in a casual ensemble, especially if you happen to be most relaxed in comfy cotton shirts and leggings. Whatever helps you feel your best is key to enjoying a successful and productive workday.

But meeting days are all about professionalism. When you log onto your virtual meeting and see your fellow employees dressed in their best, you want to ensure that you look just as neat and presentable. The person dressed in casual wear is likely to stick out considerably when surrounded by those wearing tailored blouses and custom uniform work skirts. Make an effort to dress in a corporate-friendly top to blend in with everyone else.

It Motivates You

You may not feel particularly motivated to speak up during a meeting or give a presentation if you don’t put your best foot forward. While that also includes pertinent factors like preparing in advance and practicing what you plan to say, you should also aim to make a positive impression on all of the meeting attendees. Wearing something polished, like a custom business women’s work blazer with a tailored cut, can help you feel your best during those moments that call for you to stand out and share important information with everyone on your team.

Even if you aren’t tasked with making a big statement during the meeting, you’ll simply feel better overall if you’re dressed in something that conveys a more put-together vibe. That type of positive attitude can go a long way when you want to pipe up and offer your opinion or are asked to contribute some information.

It Shows Discipline

It’s all too easy to fall into a more relaxed routine when you work from home — and while that’s a good thing if it helps you get things done, it can also backfire if you feel a little _too_ relaxed to actually accomplish everything on your to-do list. When you’re surrounded by the creature comforts of home, you’re likely to feel more tempted to do extraneous things in the middle of the workday, like wandering to the kitchen for another snack or checking the news, or playing with your pet. These are all good things, but they shouldn’t interfere with your busy schedule.

In short, working from home requires a level of discipline that’s not unusually ingrained in people. It takes time, effort, and dedication. What you choose to wear each day ties into that mindset to some degree. Wearing a pressed uniform shirt with a pair of neat pants is an easy way to get ready for the day without dressing up too much. You’ll still feel comfortable, yet it shows that you’re disciplined enough to develop a focused routine that prioritizes professionalism.

It Makes Sense

To put it most simply, you wouldn’t show up for a meeting at the office in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. For the same reason, you shouldn’t do that when you’re working from home. There are some general rules that define WFH outfits, and you should keep those in mind if you have an important virtual conference on the agenda. To start, don’t worry too much about what you wear on the bottom — just make sure that you’re actually wearing bottoms! Horror stories about people wearing boxer shorts abound, and that can be problematic if your manager expects you to be at your professional best.

Avoid anything too lavishly patterned. That bold company logo T-shirt may be your favorite piece, but it can be distracting in the middle of a video meeting. If you do choose to wear a pattern, stick with a smaller, more discreet look instead. You should also avoid wearing bright white, as it can appear even louder and more robust on camera and wash out your complexion. Try a bright, solid color instead.

When you put some additional effort into getting dressed for your virtual meeting, you’re sure to look, feel, and perform your best. That’s all that you can ask for in a world where teleworking has become the norm.