Boosting Your Productivity with a Great Outfit

The weekend seemed to fly by—anyone else? And since it’s Monday, I thought it would be the perfect time to share a few reasons why wearing a killer outfit can help boost your productivity throughout the day… especially on those lazy days when you’re feeling particularly unmotivated (i.e. me, today). So here are a few tips for dressing up when you need it most!

1. Putting on ‘real clothes’ gets you up and at ‘em.

As comfy as sweatpants and a sweatshirt are, I don’t think anyone can deny that they make you feel kind of ‘blah’. Not to mention, I find that if I don’t get dressed early in the morning, it leads me to have a very slow start to the day and usually involves getting back in bed. The best thing you can do to boost your productivity is to get dressed right when you wake up/after you eat breakfast!! This is something I really need to work on myself, as online classes have made me very lazy during my morning routine.

2. It’s a balance between comfy and just uncomfortable enough.

If you wear something that’s too comfortable, like sweatpants, it will just fuel your unproductivity and make you want to curl up on the couch with a hot cocoa and some Netflix. But if you wear something super uncomfortable—say, a stuffy blazer or an annoying top you have to keep adjusting—you’ll also feel unmotivated. I find that you have to discover that perfect balance, where your outfit makes you just uncomfortable enough that you don’t want to lay in bed all day, but not so uncomfortable that you get squirmy and agitated whenever you try to sit down to work (hopefully I’m not the only one who experiences that??).

3. Make sure you are a good temperature.

Along with being comfortable, it is SO important to plan your outfit around the weather/the temperature in your home. Nothing makes it harder for me to get work done than feeling super cold. When I’m cold, the only thing I want to do is get back under the covers to warm up! It’s been very chilly in my apartment lately so I always try to plan my outfits around a sweater or long sleeve top with some sort of layer over it and cute socks… that way I can stay warm enough to want to move around and get work done.

4. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful!

I’ve said it before on the blog and I’ll say it again, but wearing an outfit that makes you feel amazing is an absolute game changer when it comes to boosting your mood and productivity. We’ve all had those days where we just feel gross and don’t want to do anything; that’s when a go-to outfit really comes in handy. Of course, not every outfit can be a winner (as you all know from my weekly recaps), but if you can find a few looks that always make you feel good, try to keep them on hand to reach for on those mornings when you know it’s going to be tough to get the day started. And maybe part of that outfit includes doing your makeup and curling your hair. Or maybe even spraying your favorite perfume! Sometimes doing these activities on an average day instead of saving them for a special occasion can make all the difference, especially during pandemic life.

5. Plan your outfit the night before.

This is another thing I’ve talked a lot about on the blog. In high school, I always used to plan my outfits the night before or even a week’s worth of outfits on Sunday nights. Not only did it save me time in the mornings, but it kept me from coming up with a last-minute outfit that I didn’t even like. For days when you know you’re not going to want to do anything—say, on a Monday—try laying out one of your favorite outfits the night before. Sometimes just the anticipation of putting on a super cute look the next morning can get you excited for the day!

. . . . .

Personally, those go-to outfits that always make me feel good usually involve something a little more professional. I love the shades of blue in today’s look and the houndstooth trousers! I’ve got a little pattern mixing going on with the striped sweater and printed pants, and of course, any good outfit for me has to involve some sparkle… This statement necklace that’s just barely peaking through my coat is one of my favorites, even if statement necklaces have long since gone out of style. What can I say, something about wearing work attire just puts me in the mood to get work done!

What’s your go-to outfit when you’re wanting to feel productive or extra special? Do you have any of your own fashion tips that help you feel more motivated? I’d love to hear them! Also, on a side note, it started snowing while taking these photos… so I promise I don’t have dandruff in my hair.

As always, thanks for stopping by today!

Miles of smiles,
Grace

Blue Striped Sweater: Gap, $16, last worn here | Blue Peacoat: Francesca’s, $40, last worn here | Houndstooth Pants: JCPenney, $19, last worn here | White Mules: Rebecca Minkoff via Saks Off Fifth, $70, last worn here