Want me to read this to you?
Messy bun. Coffee-stained sweatshirt. Much loved yoga pants. Cozy slippers.
It’s the unofficial uniform of work-from-home girl bosses around the world.
But what if I told you that your beloved yoga pants could be sabotaging your productivity, sapping your creativity, draining your energy, and crushing your big dreams of upleveling your business?
Chances are you’d spit out your pumpkin spice latte, ready to defend your yoga pants that feel more like a hug from the best of besties, than just a pair of spandex pants!
“Why spend the time and effort to put “real” clothes on if you don’t have to. When I am at home working, being comfortable helps the creativity flow – I am not feeling my waistband digging into me or have to sit a certain way because there is no give in the fabric. I have more important things to worry about, like my clients, than to worry about what I look like! I don’t have time for that.”
Sweet friend, I hear you..
- you want to be comfortable in the clothes you wear
- you don’t have time to worry about what to wear
- you want to be able to get dressed without thinking about it
- you don’t want to waste a good outfit sitting behind your computer, at home…with nobody but your cat for company!
Let me tell you, once upon a time I would have been right there with you, holding the sign and chanting “yoga pants for life!” but girlfriend it’s time for an interfriendtion.
Unless you are some sought of fitness instructor, participating in a physical activity or binge watching Nextflix after hours…
…and they’re killing your boss babe productivity potential!
Gasp!!
Now before I put myself into witness protection, hear me out…
By no means am I suggesting that you need to slip into a pencil skirt + step into a pair of stilettos(unless you want to). Nor am I suggesting that you need to put more time into getting ready for your day than you already do, or wear something that you’re totally uncomfortable in – that’s just as bad for your productivity!
What I really want you to do is take a moment to think about how you feel when you wear something that you truly love – maybe it’s your favorite dress, a snuggly blanket scarf, or pair of distressed jeans with a simple tee and a statement necklace – anything that makes your inner mean girl beam >“Gurrrl, you look hotttttt!”
When you’re dressed in a way that makes you feel like you can take on the world, you:
- take all the selfies because #imnotwastingthisoutfit
- meet your besties for brunch
- knock your to-do list out of the park in half a day like a total boss
You have so much more energy and motivation, right?!
Well imaging if you felt like that every day in your business?
Love, it is 100% possible, while feeling oh-so comfy…and without more than your current time investment.
So how does a yoga pant addict begin to rehab her style (and re-find herself) so she can have the most productive day ever?
Here are 3 magical secrets for your consideration:
CONSIDERATION #1 – comfort
The magical secret to feeling comfy in your clothes = fit + material
The number one response I received when I asked a group of girl bosses why they wear yoga pants instead of ‘real’ clothes, was COMFORT!
Yoga pants generally work because they’re made from soft, stretch fabric, that fits and moves with your body – even when you’ve consumed a few too many fall pumpkin treats! #givemeallthepumpkinthings
So if your regular skinny jeans are rough, rigid and maybe a size (or two) too small – it might be time to say bu-bye to them and invest in a pair that serves you in a more intentional way.
Wearing the right size for your body AND the activity you’ll prodomentently be doing while wearing the item, is so important.
If you find that you need to size up, and that number triggers a response from your inner mean girl, tell her to SIT DOWN and cut off the size tag.
Sizes vary SO much from brand to brand…even within 1 brand…so don’t even give that number a second thought. Comfort + fit trumps size every day!
Need some inspiration? Here are a few of girl boss friendly pants that I love:
PRO TIP: When trying on pants – to ensure you get the right fit and kiss goodbye to suffocating waistlines, make sure you recreate the types of activities you’ll predominantly be doing in them. E.g. sitting on a chair, sitting with your legs criss cross applesauce, bending over, walking (jeans that need to be hiked up every few steps are so annoying!)
Experiment with different style or rise (how high the waist of your pants sit) – I find a mid to high wasted pair of jeans far more comfortable when I’m sitting all day.
Look for jeans made from 98% cotton + 2% elastane – these jeans will stretch out enough to keep you feeling like you’re wearing your fav yoga pants, without getting a saggy butt or knees! Not a cute look on anyone.
CONSIDERATION #2 – time
The magical secret to spending no extra time getting dressed = plan + batch
Yes, you can plan + batch your outfits (new girl boss uniform) just as you do for your social media content!
One of the reasons your yoga pants are convenient to throw on, is because you know exactly how to wear them, without even thinking.
So what if you could replicate that with cute but comfy outfit? It’s totally possible.
Take 10-15 minutes this weekend to curate your new girl boss outfits.
If you’re stuck for girl boss cute & comfy outfit ideas, stay tuned for next week’s article!
In the meantime, check out this post on how to transition your wardrobe into fall.
And let’s get real, sliding into a pair of jeans and zipping/buttoning them up takes a nano second longer than if you were to throw on yoga pants….think about it! If your outfits are planned, getting ready for your day is a synch!!
CONSIDERATION #3 – energy
The magical secret to upleveling your business = showing up for yourself
Goal setting, streamlining your systems, batching content, writing sales page copy is all just a few of the many hats you, gorgeous boss babe, wear on a day-to-day basis.
And I have no doubt that you are always showing up as your brilliant sparkly self for your clients…but take a moment to pause and think about how you’re showing up for yourself…your business…your brand.
Maybe you’ve been wanting to jump on the uber hot video train – live or recorded, but because you’re in your yoga pants, coffee-stained sweatshirt, and greasy bun, all of a sudden you need to do your hair, put on a lick of lipgloss or mascara, and find something that looks kinda decent to wear – uggghhhh it feels like so. much. work.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t show up on video like you’ve just been to a barre class, or in hangin’ out in your house comfies. No way!
I wholeheartedly believe in being authentic to the moment and who you are…if you have something to share… hit that record button and share away as you are, love.
Everything in this world has an energy about it…including what you wear. You feel it, your community feels it, and so do your clients.
Consider how the clothes you wear silently communicate to your ideal client, community, and YOURSELF!
You and your business are worth the effort – show up, give, and be your best sparkly self!
I’m not on a crusade against yoga pants – I <3 yoga pants – and I’m full of compassion and understanding that there may be seasons in your life, where you’re purely operating on survival mode: taking care of a sick family member, adjusting to becoming a mum (for the first time or again), or recovering from an illness or trauma of your own.
There are so many ways you can elevate your style without compromising on comfort or convenience.
Next time you reach for those yoga pants, take a moment to think about your intention for the day and if shimmying into your spandex is going to fully support your intention and help you show up as your best sparkly self.
I’d love to know...
What are your thoughts about working in yoga pants? Lemme know.
p.s. I tried writing this article in yoga pants… 3-days later…I ended up changing into something stylish + comfy… and my fingers started flying over the keyboard. ;)
With love + confetti poppers,
