Guys, this one’s for you today.  Ladies, I’m writing up a separate one for you as we speak!

Once upon a time, you lived in a world of waking up every morning, shuffling half-asleep into your closet, trying to make out the blur of clothes in front of you in order to decide what you were going to wear to work that day.

Then COVID hit, and you’re in a world now where, shoot, do you even get OUT of bed anymore to start your workday?  I mean, a laptop is the same laptop whether you’re in bed or sitting upright at your desk, right?

And so here is your new Monday through Friday norm.  Week after week.

But let’s say you DO make an effort to get out of bed and brush your teeth at least.  And you actually put on clothes. Eventually you begin to notice that you’ve been “showing up” to your virtual day job wearing your same favorite few tees every day.  Or, maybe it’s just a sweatshirt.  And, does it really even matter what’s on your bottom?

Question for you:

While I’m sure this is comfortable and all, are you starting to feel kind of blah inside?  Maybe a little dull?  Like you’re in this new work-from-home routine and it’s really not all that exciting? 

Perhaps you actually miss coming up with an outfit to wear to work each day because you could at least show off some of your personality. Or maybe, you were one to dress a level above your title in hopes it’d get you promoted faster. 

After all, getting dressed shows purpose.  But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. In fact, just choosing SOME simple accessories that best reflect your authentic style and personality could mean everything! 

So here are four simple ways to spruce up your virtual workday look and #letthrealyoushinethrough in your next Zoom meeting:

Try Out Some Stylish Frames

Prescription or no prescription, this is one of my favorite ways that guys can show off their personalities and up their t-shirt-around-the-house game.  In fact, I think frames paired with a comfy tee is a superb way to professionalize your look and show up to your Zoom meetings in casual style.  Kind of like, you make it look so easy, yet you’re so good. 

You can visit website and choose from a massive variety of top brands and styles.  You’re sure to land a brand new set of specs that frame your face and make you look even more distinguished in no time.

The Tiny But Mighty Pocket Square

If you’re more than a t-shirt guy and need to dress to impress on your next Zoom call, look no further than the humble pocket square. They are so easy, so simple, and yet so…bam!  You show up to your video calls looking like a man on a mission.  This little square is the color to your mon-o-chrome, the linen to your life, the silk to your, ok I have no idea where I’m going with that one, but you get the point. Go get yourself some!

Watch This

I love a good watch on a guy.  It just says, Hi, I’m a man.  And if your laptop camera is angled the way it should be (ahem, up angling down is a bit more flattering), then your forearms and wrists should be showing.  And who wants bare forearms and wrists??

You don’t need to drop big bucks on a watch, any priced watch does the trick  But if you can afford a Rolex or Omega, then by all means, shop right ahead!  But you don’t need to go the designer route to look great.  Any watch that is simple and well-made will add a dignified note to your look.

On The Cuffs

Got an upcoming Zoom video interview?  Nothing tells hiring managers that you’ve got attention to detail like the fact that you’re wearing badass cuff links on a Zoom video interview during COVID 19.  As a recruiter, I would freaking love you for it. 

Why? Because cufflinks are one of the most telling, yet subtle, signs of style for men everywhere. They’re small enough to know their place, yet special enough to have their shining moment in the world. Also, please know that managers hiring candidates using only video interviews will be looking to your video screen for ANYTHING to try and get a better sense of your personality.  And cufflinks show that you are ready to bring the goods, my friend.

In Summary

These are just a few easy-to-implement ideas to polish off that top half of you for when you need to show up to work on a laptop screen.  I’d love to hear other creative ideas you’ve been doing as well so update me in the comments below!

Have a great week y’all,

Kristin