Work-from-home wardrobe inspiration

The shirt dress

The throw-on-and-go ease of a shirt dress is a wonderful thing, but that doesn't mean it needs to be relegated to your wardrobe if you're not actually going anywhere. A surprisingly versatile garment, wear it buttoned up with a fine knit and leggings underneath for extra warmth. Unbuttoned, it will add an extra dimension to any outfit and waft pleasingly as you move around your home, studiously avoiding the snack drawer.

Model wears: Anthropologie Sadie duster kimono, £118. 1 Equipment Connell python-print silk shirt dress, £475. 2 Hush Homewear Sophie shirt dress, £99. 3 Warehouse belted utility shirt dress, £46.

The comfortable trousers

New to working from home? It's time to introduce your working wardrobe to the comfort of an elasticated waist. Gym leggings are a freelancer staple because they're easy to layer with shirt dresses or piles of knitwear as the weather dictates, you can slip out the house on an errand or dog walk without needing to change and they can give you a feeling of dynamism that can be channelled into your work. Even if you need to look smart for video-conferencing it's unlikely your trousers will be seen so if you just want to wear sweatpants you can.

If you want to keep sportswear for your newly-adopted living room workout routine there are plenty of stylish trousers that are comfortable enough for now and in the future.

Model wears: Lululemon Keep Moving pants, £108. 1 Pleats Please Issey Miyake mannish technical pleated trousers, £495. 2 Whistles black easy jersey joggers, £69. 3 Marks & Spencer Goodmove go train gym leggings, was £29.50, now £11.49. 4 La Double J flower leopard-print silk-twill trousers, £435.

The vast scarf

If you're seeking silence in the draughtiest corner of the house or popping to the 'shoffice' at the bottom of the garden, you'll find that a really big knit comes in useful. Whether it's a scarf that doubles as a blanket or an oversized shawl, in this case size really does matter.

Neutral colours are best when you're going oversized and can easily be jazzed up with a slick of cheer-inducing bright lipstick.

Model wears Acne Studios Cassiar checked wool scarf, £180. 1 Extreme Cashmere raw-edge stretch-cashmere wrap, £450. 2 Marks & Spencer chevron colour-block wrap, was £39.50, now £11.79. 3 Gabriela Hearst Lauren tasselled cashmere wrap, £1,940.

The socks

As any hiker worth their walking poles knows, the right pair of socks can make or break your day. Home-workers may only need to scale the stairs up to the loft room, but the same remains true. A cheerful pair of socks can brighten your mood, while a sturdy walking or cosy cashmere pair are useful layers of insulation too.

Model wears Urban Outfitters embroidered earth socks, £6. 1 Birkenstock cotton slub chunky ribbed socks, £10.99. 2 Topshop white glitter rainbow socks, was £3.50, now £3. 3 The White Company cashmere bed socks, £36. 4 Scott Nichol Moseley contrast heel and toe wool socks, £14.99. 5 Topshop pink Oh Hunny socks, was £3.50 now £3.

The kimono-inspired jacket

Wearing your pyjamas all day might be a novel indulgence on day one of self-isolation, but by day three you'll probably be somewhat yearning to return to normality, and getting dressed can be a massive help.

Pyjamas might be a no-no but a wrap jacket that borders on a dressing gown is to be encouraged, especially if it's lightly padded or quilted. This is especially true if you're used to the power-dressing properties of a good blazer. And even better, it will last long past self-isolation and become a regular weekend staple.

1 Gucci shawl-lapel checked wool-blend wrap jacket, £2,600. 2 Forte Forte dark blue denim kimono jacket, £440. 3 Marks & Spencer denim quilted kimono jacket, £49.50. 4 Toast reversible kantha jacket, £195. Model wears Anthropologie quilted patchwork kimono, was £130, now £91.

The statement shirt

If video-conferencing seems set to become your new way of life, you might want to put a bit of extra effort in on the top part of your body – or at least look like you have. Enter one of this spring's key trends: the pilgrim collar. It's a look you've probably seen on your favourite influencers for a while thanks to a Ganni version that now comes in an expanded selection of colours, and it's now trickled through to the high street too. Simply tie long hair back from your face and add a pair of earrings to instantly be screen-ready. The fact you've got tracksuit bottoms on will be your little secret.

Model wears Arket embroidered poplin blouse, £59. 1 Ganni ruffled collar striped cotton-poplin shirt, £150. 2 Résumé Sally exaggerated collar shirt, £100. 3 Àcheval Pampa Evita cotton blouse, £350. 4 Comme des Garçons Girl oversized cotton-poplin shirt, £270.

The slippers

Some work-from-homers find wearing a proper pair of shoes is the one thing that makes them feel as though they are 'at work'. But wearing outside shoes inside is anathema to many people, especially in this time of heightened hygiene awareness.

You'll want to wear something on your feet though, unless you're blessed with the winning combination of underfloor heating and great circulation, as there are few things more distracting than cold toes.

The right pair of slippers will warm your feet without making them overheat: avoid synthetic materials for the inner soles and linings.

Main image: Ugg Oh Yeah slides, £80. 1 Boden shearling moccasin slippers in gold metallic, was £65, now £32.50. 2 Ugg Tasman slippers, £89.99. 3 Uniqlo striped slippers, £9.99. 4 Le Monde Beryl blush-pink velvet d'Orsay slippers, £315.

The knit

Being told to put a jumper on is hardly novel advice, but it remains valid despite its antiquity – which is why a new knit makes a worthy investment: learn to look after it well and it will last for years.

A splash of colour or pattern can be particularly cheering if you're missing the visual feast of everyday life in the cultural hub that is London, while there are few things as comforting as cashmere.

Model wears Kimchi Blue Peri cardigan, £129. 1 Joie Hassina cream printed jumper, £230. 2 Dries van Noten Jesmae orange intarsia fine-knit jumper, £310. 3 Hush rainbow stripe jumper, £79. 4 Chinti & Parker rainbow riviera stripe chunky-knit cardigan, £295.

The expert view

Victoria Moss is the fashion features director of Drest, the luxury fashion gaming app that might be the sanity-saving distraction you need during self-isolation.

'My new WFH life comes with a small two-year-old inmate so I’ll be honest, I’m not clacking around the house dolled up to the nines. I’m pretty much living in my black Ninety Percent tracksuit bottoms, with an oversized Weekday T-shirt, and maybe a good knit. If you re-frame all this by calling it streetwear then that’s fashion, Brenda. I’ll do a bit of jewellery to make me feel slightly more work-ish.

'For video Zoom calls I feel it’s more about a good backdrop than outfit per se... I like to take calls in front of my pineapple-print wallpaper. I’ve decided to wear my Sabah espadrilles around the house instead of slippers though, which I was saving for my presumably cancelled summer holiday. They’re bright pink and exceptionally cheering in this bleak new reality.

'I’ve also just treated myself to new jolly red matching tracksuit bottoms and sweater from Stalf which I’d been eyeing up for a while. Small treats, minor gains, cosy. Athleisure, it’s all we’ve got left now really.'