The many layers of a home worker
As always when visiting London, during my trip away from home the other day I was keeping a close eye on what people were wearing. It was still quite warm and sunny, but I noticed there were very few sandals in evidence, and lots of boots and black opaque tights. I tend to hang on to sandals and summer clothes as long as I can, as there are months and months ahead for winterwear and I’m always desperate to shed it long before the weather is warm enough.
I started to wear my sheepskin boots in the office a week or so ago, and last night I got a pair of suede boots out of their box, although I plan to hold on as long as possible before wearing them. Yesterday it was colder in my room than outside and I ended up in a T shirt, jumper and fleece.
Checking on Twitter to find out other home workers’ tips for staying warm, I discovered that layers are universally popular. Clever @Sharon399 boosts their effect by closing the door of her small room and enjoying the heat from her computer and printer. @Domestic_jules adds a hot water bottle, as does @annaglasbrook, who also wears a hat. @FalenaTranslate swears by ‘looooads of tea’ and @WendyRees says I’m not getting a photo of her in ski socks and jumper!
Actually, I think it would be quite fun – stylish is good, but ingenious, environmentally-friendly and warm home workers definitely make the grade too. Oh, and by the way, I’ve already received the first photos for my new page and I’m just waiting for a few more to get me started. Don’t be shy!
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I’ve got really bad circulation (my Spanish genes) so I do tend to get cold easily if/when I stop moving around. And running a mostly web-based business means moving very little, so you won’t see me in a T-shirt at this time of year…
Today I’m wearing black long sleeve turtleneck from Zara, RLPolo jeans, and Agua Viva ballerinas in animal print (with black 15 dernier socks from Boots). Oh, and I have a hot cup of coffee on my desk as I write this!
That sounds very stylish to me. And do you accessorise with your own jewellery? (Note to home workers – Marisol has a website selling fab chunky jewellery. Browse it and drool).
I actually do sometimes but not practical with little one around – she always tries to pull off any necklaces to wear them herself!
Ouch – she has obviously inherited your love of beautiful things! Just realised that is probably you in the photos!
No, no. It’s not me, it’s our beautiful model, Marian. I haven’t done any modelling for the past 20 years or so. Started young but gave up young too – preferred a more ‘grounded’ environment.
Ah, I have obviously put 2 and 2 together and made 5! I hope one day we’ll get the chance to see you modelling your jewellery, Marisol.
yes, it’s cold enough for me to have started wearing SOCKS again, which I hate. The boots are out, and the sandals are put away fot the winter. My tip for warming up is GO OUT FOR A WALK in the morning, if that isn’t possible, you’ll just have to do some skipping, running on the spot, star jumps. Believe me I do all this when I have to go into the cold unheated house to boil the kettle. Winter seems to have arrived a bit early, but I love woollies and can’t wait to get them all out, pity they’re all Black and Grey! Sartorialista photo will arrive soon, I promise.
Yes, as Marisol says, it’s the sitting still at the computer all the time that lets the cold seep in. Thanks, Marg, you’ve given me an idea for tomorrow’s post. Looking forward to the photo!
I work in the converted back half of the garage, nicely self-contained & networked area courtesy of my dad. However my cat Kira likes to sit with me so I tend to leave the door open unless it’s really cold/windy/rainy/snowy so she can get in and out. This means that I am generally always well wrapped up, I have some gorgeous cardigans – you know, the snuggly ones – and a fleecy blanket as a stand by.
Layers are great, as are comfy socks (I love socks Margaret) and cosy slippers.
That is real cat devotion! The only trouble with all these home office layers is that you have to remember to allow plenty of time to peel them all off and put on something slightly less eccentric when you have an appointment!
Further to my last comment. I have been to http://www.woolovers.com they sell really nice jumpers in great colours good prices. By buying 3 new jumpers, in new colours I have brightened my woolly wardrobe 100%.
I got a bright yellow one, a turquoise one and a clear pale pink one. I don’t like fleeces, I’m afraid I’m an old- fashioned cashmere kinda gal. (or merino at a pinch-these are merino/cashmere mix. I layer them up. I am also very keen on Uniqlo who sell thin layers in a heat-tech fabric, all styles of teeshirts, vest etc. This year’s colours are not so good though. Luckily I still have last year’s lemon yellow, cyclamen etc. they are on line too. Have a look at coffee time, homeworkers.
Excellent advice as usual from La Stylista. They really are reasonably priced, especially for wool/cashmere mix. We look forward to seeing you model them soon.
I’ve only just started working from home, but this has got to be the coldest winter I can remember yet. To stay warm whilst working I am of course layering up. I’ve just dug out my vests for the first time this year and I’ve started wearing tights or leggings under my trousers if it gets really cold. I’ve also got lots of nice woollen slipper boots that friends have bought me over the last year or two. And recently I bought a slanket, primarily for reading actually, but have also discovered that it is ideal for wrapping myself up in at my desk. Would definitely recommend that! If all else fails I turn to my trusty hot water bottle for instant warmth! Oh and of course the obligatory pot of tea.
Stacey, I can tell you are a home working natural – so many resources already in your first winter! I am discovering how essential a kettle is, as ours has just died and there’s no opportunity to go out and get another until this afternoon. Already bored with waiting for pans of water to boil on the hob!
Good luck with your freelance writing career. (Stacey writes about design and you can check out her blog by clicking on her name above).
Girls may I just some thermals. I know you are probably thinking of your grandparents now but seriously they are brilliant. You can also now purchase some very sexy ones.
(Judy – please don’t ask me to model mine LOL!)
OK, I’ll let you off. We don’t want to attract the wrong kind of visitors to the site, do we? 🙂
I’m a home worker who doesn’t really break stereotypes. Oooops. T-Shirt and sweat pants is what I usually wear. Comfortable but still keeps me warm.
Thankfully I live in a new house so it usually keeps quite warm and I don’t have to put the heating on. Other than today of course 🙂
Ryan, you will be the envy of the many home workers who live in older, draughty houses. Amazing how much difference up-to-date insulation makes – I speak from experience and still shudder to think about the winter we spent in a Victorian, almost detached house with original single-glazed windows. And no bath. Yes, that really cold winter 2 years ago.
I’m working and living in a static caravan. Today’s outfit – thick woolly stripy leggings, jeans, track suit bottoms, thick socks, fleecy furry slipper boots, Tshirt, long sleeved thin sweatshirt, wool jumper, fleece, hat, fingerless gloves and thermal slanket from Norway. Gas is expensive so I make loadssssss of tea, mainly so I can keep typing with warm fingers! Last 10 years I was in a massive house with no double glazing, barely functioning heating and draughts to blow a cat away! But it was warmer than this 😉 apparently the brain functions better at lower temperatures but I reckon I can disprove that now- my output is much reduced, productivity is definitely lower and my tea bag consumption could bankrupt me before spring!
Wow, Lindsey, I think you’d call that extreme home working! I find that I get very grumpy and miserable when I’m cold and that alone makes me less productive. It was a revelation when I discovered sheepskin boots, they made so much difference to the warmth of my whole body, not just my feet, and made me a much happier person in winter – just ask A, my partner! This is my latest pair, having worn the sheepskin of my first pair absolutely flat.
Yes. Extreme home working. Lindsey, you do really well to work in such a cold situation—-the sort of situation I have been in, myself. Where I live now, and right in the middle of winter (Maine) at this point, I have the thermostat set between 62-4. I WAS keeping it at 61-2 and wearing 3 fairly thin layers plus heavy knit pants and a wool turtleneck sweater, heavy knee socks and hefty, lined slippers. Found that when my hands are cold and the indoor AIR is cold my ambition and concentration disappear! No matter what I am wearing. I refuse to type in gloves. Well, if I HAD to, I suppose I would. Just imagine the typos, and the mixed messages my computer would get, and where that would lead. Adding an extra 1 or 2 degrees makes things better all around.
It’s hopeless trying to type wearing gloves, isn’t it, Pat? This winter I have discovered fingerless gloves and can’t believe the difference they make. I wear them round the house all the time and they will have to be surgically removed in spring, along with my sheepskin boots! They got a great review too –