FASHION FORWARD

The biz-leisure trend is here to stay By Angela Antonello

Zoom meeting attire was never a section in most work place handbooks, but with the job shift to working from home during the pandemic, our wardrobes have shifted too.

For some, working from the comfort of their couch means fashion freedom: sweat pants, workout leggings and un-ironed shirts. For others, putting effort into getting dressed offers much-needed structure in a time of uncertainty. And then there’s those who take the best of both worlds.

There’s this phenomenon called the business mullet: normal up top and party below. The logic behind this is most times you only see the upper section of the torso and the head [on screens], so many think, ‘Why bother with the bottom?' We have all seen those videos on social media of the zoom call wardrobe or lack of, malfunction so think twice before you embrace that trend.

Biz-leisure may be new but using clothes as a reflection or influence of our personality is not. The fashion we choose is representative of our identity and how we see ourselves. The other end of that is that not getting dressed day after day can leave us feeling unsettled. One thing for sure is that the boundaries between business and casual clothing will stay blurred for some time, possibly even forever. This is why the appeal of "biz-leisure" dressing is so on trend. Use these tips to inspire you to find your unique fall style “mojo” and expression of biz-leisure: • The leisure bit is fairly simple for many of us who love an informal outfit. As great as tracksuit pants are find a balance between relaxed pieces and work appropriate wear. For fall into winter, this can be a pair of faux leather leggings, coated joggers or a dark pair of five-button pull on denim. Pair with a high-quality tee or knit top and a boyfriend style blazer to bring the biz! • Replace your stiff collar button ups with softer more flowy fabrics. Quality stretch fabrics and pants with an elastic waist are a must have for sitting on conference calls all day. • Don’t forget footwear when working from home. Supportive footwear is key to your foot and leg health and help to keep you in that “workplace zone.” • Add accessories to frame your face and to feel more put together. Just be aware if you use your hands when speaking, rings and jangling bracelets can be a distraction on a zoom call. • Matching lounge sets are trending everywhere. Go for fabrics such as wool, hacci or cashmere and be sure you opt for a more structured look to avoid looking too casual.

Be excited about this trend as it coincides with having a balance in our wardrobe of work and off duty pieces! This is a way to mix things up create outfits that work for those days when we need to wear multiple “hats.” SWM

Angela Antonello is the owner of Fashion Rescue 911 Boutique, 52 Oswego Street, Baldwinsville.