Look Good

2023 work style

From WFH to office wear and everything in between.

Written by Laura Kingston
Published 07.03.2023

This feature may contain affiliate links

The pandemic changed many things in our lives, but perhaps the most lasting is a new approach to home working and for most of us, more relaxed office wear.

This week we learned about ‘dressing with intention’ and the impact it can have on our productivity. Psychologically, if you get dressed in gym wear, your mind will switch to exercising – the same applies to loungewear or wearing super casual clothes to the office.

A fascinating 2016 study asked 186 female undergraduate students to take a simulated university examination. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups, which consisted of wearing make-up, listening to positive music or colouring in a face on paper.

The results showed that female students who had put make-up on received higher grades compared to those who didn’t. In addition, these students outperformed counterparts with positive mood only.

Now we’re not suggesting that we get up and dress to the nines, but there’s a very interesting correlation between good self-concept and higher production levels.

Team HLN work remotely, and our editor Laura is going to test the theory by getting up and ready every day for a month to see if it improves performance. We thought we’d share our research for outfits that will make us feel put together for any work occasion.

BASIC MAKEUP

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream - £33

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e.l.f Putty Bronzer - £6

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The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain - £8

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Trinny London Eye2Eye Cream Shadow - £18

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WORKING FROM HOME

Birkenstock Arizona Shearling - £130

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Lucy & Yak – Alexa Trousers - £36

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CIDER – V-neck oversized cardigan – now £25

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John Lewis – Any Day Crew Neck t-shirt - £8

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A DAY IN THE OFFICE

Mint Velvet – Pink Oversized Cotton Shirt - £69

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COS – Pleated Barrel Waist Trousers - £69

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Scamp & Dude – Blue Zebra Print Maxi Dress - £110

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Mango – Cowboy Style Leather Ankle Boots - £79.99

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A WORK EVENT

Aligne – Flossy Boyfriend Blazer - £129

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H&M - Long Soft Bodycon Dress - £35

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M&S - Jersey Wide Leg Trousers - £17.50

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The White Company – Washed Satin Boho Blouse - £98

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Laura Kingston, High Life North Magazine
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