Table of contents
The Science Behind Comfortable Clothing and Productivity
Does ‘Dressing for Success’ Still Matter?
The Business Case for Allowing Comfortable Clothing
Final Thoughts: Should Companies Encourage Comfortable Clothing?
Contributors
Sherry T.
Contributor
Remote work has transformed the modern workplace, allowing employees to eliminate tedious commutes, rigid schedules, and most importantly, uncomfortable office attire. But does working in jogging pants actually enhance productivity?
You might be surprised by the answer. Research indicates that dressing in a comfortable manner can lower stress levels, increase one’s ability to concentrate, and even raise an individual’s level of satisfaction with their job. For organizations that are still on the fence about going remote, the WFH (work-from-home) fashion effect could serve as yet another push to make the transition.
The Science Behind Comfortable Clothing and Productivity
1. Reduced Cognitive Load
Have you ever come across “decision fatigue”? We make countless choices every day—what to have for breakfast, when to reply to work emails, how to juggle three urgent projects at once. Reducing unscripted, unessential decisions beforehand can be good for our brains. In a study, researchers had participants work on cognitive tasks after they had made a number of decisions. The more decisions the participants had made earlier, the poorer their performance on the tasks.
2. Enhanced Focus and Engagement
Snug dress shirts and stiff blazers might look sharp, but they are not exactly good for deep work. A 2015 study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that clothing choices influence cognitive processing. In five experiments involving 60 American undergraduates, researchers discovered that those who dressed more formally tended to think in abstract terms, while those in casual clothing were more likely to focus on concrete tasks. This suggests that for analytical and detail-oriented work—such as coding, data analysis, or engineering—comfortable clothing may help employees stay focused and engaged without distraction.
3. Lower Stress Levels
Comfortable work attire directly influences stress reduction and boosts productivity. Research indicates that lightweight, flexible clothing enhances freedom of movement, which can boost confidence levels and promote a general sense of well-being. When employees are at ease, they are more engaged, less distracted, and better suited to confront workplace problems head-on. This is not to say that simply wearing sweatpants leads directly to good moods and even good work. But when more relaxed humans are put in more relaxed conditions, their brains operate with improved efficiency.
4. Boosted Creativity
Physical ease is not the only thing that creates a comfortable space; there are also psychological factors. Creativity flourishes in not just relaxed atmospheres but also in those that stimulate the brain in playful ways. Silicon Valley companies have long embraced casual dress codes to encourage innovation. When employees are free from the tyranny of the tailored suit, they tend to think more openly and creatively.
Does ‘Dressing for Success’ Still Matter?
Some argue that dressing up for work, even at home, helps create a mental shift into “work mode.” While this might be true for some, research suggests that context plays a bigger role in performance than clothing. A study showed that while attire can influence performance, the effect is strongest when clothing is associated with a specific role (e.g., a doctor wearing a lab coat).
For employees who work from home, a workable solution may be to wear the kind of clothes that project a look of comfort combined with an air of professionalism—what some call “Zoom ready attire.” A casual yet polished ensemble (think of a comfy sweater worn with joggers) is a guaranteed way to remain in a state of relaxation while simultaneously being “ready” for whatever occasion might require “showing oneself” on a video call.
The Business Case for Allowing Comfortable Clothing
1. Higher Productivity Levels
What really counts is working well, not looking good. Slack and GitLab are two companies that have demonstrated this. Their remote teams are more productive than their office-based counterparts. Allowing employees to dress comfortably removes unnecessary stressors and promotes efficiency.
2. Improved Employee Satisfaction and Retention
Retention is a powerful tool. The study by Owl Labs (2021) tells us that 74% of employees say they are less likely to leave a company that allows them to work remotely. Happy employees are more likely to stay; reducing turnover saves money. Owl Labs tells us that:
- Remote work with relaxed dress codes is a powerful retention tool.
- Remote companies have better retention than in person companies.
- Overall, remote work leads to better retention.
3. A More Inclusive Workplace
Exclusionary dress codes often privilege those who can afford the types of clothing needed to perform the appearance of being dressed for an office. They might also privilege those who are comfortable being dressed in a “formal” manner. When businesses reduce dress codes to “wear your kind of casual,” they are really hitting the inclusivity trifecta.
4. Cost Savings for Employers and Employees
Businesses cut costs on office-related expenses, and workers save on the clothes they wear to work. The typical professional still spends hundreds of dollars annually on the attire needed for a business setting. When those offices become remote-friendly, the funds that would have been spent on business attire can instead be funneled toward personal and professional growth.
Final Thoughts: Should Companies Encourage Comfortable Clothing?
Although some companies worry that dressing down could lead to slacking off, the research says they are just that—worries, not reality. There is no evidence that working in a T-shirt or jeans makes you any less likely to work hard. In fact, the opposite may be true.
The option to work remotely gives employees the prospect of shedding formal office wear for comfy, casual clothing—a potentially cool result of trading in office life for home life. This is not the only or best reason to work in your jammies instead of business attire. But if you are the kind of person who thrives on wearing bold prints and has a closet full of ties, you may be more inclined to work from a cubicle than a couch.