Back in 2008, I enrolled in a screenwriting class during my senior year of college. One afternoon we hosted a guest writer who came to workshop our student scripts, and he divulged a ritual that's stuck with me for the past 12 years. Every morning at precisely 4:30 a.m. his alarm would sound off. He'd wake, brew coffee, slip into his "uniform," and write for two hours. Aside from the slightly startling notion of rising before the sun every day, the detail that stood out to me most was the theory that his clothing mattered — what he wore influenced his mental aptitude for doing good work. It was an integral part of the daily routine.
Fast forward to 2020, and this anecdote resonates. Two years ago I took the plunge that many millennials [1] have taken before me: I decided to go freelance. I had worked in an office for eight years and craved flexibility. I wanted to work with multiple publications, I wanted to travel more, and I wanted to eschew the traditional office environment. So far? So good! The experience hasn't been without its challenges but in general, it's proved to be a positive, productive shift in my career trajectory. There's just one little thing . . . I have no uniform.
Working in fashion, I'm well aware of the psychological effects a piece of clothing [2] can occasion, so it's no surprise that after several months of Winter, my staying indoors wearing lacklustre separates and sneakers is having an adverse impact. Obviously, sneakers are great. They provide superior support, they're versatile, but they're also starting to bring my motivation down. That's why I decided to conduct an experiment to determine if a shift as subtle as new footwear could actually make a difference. Turns out, it can.
Continue ahead to follow my weeklong journey toward a slightly more polished, productive version of my freelance self, and if you work remotely and need a new pair of shoes, shop my picks.
Monday
Confession: I don't love heels. I did ballet for over 15 years, and as a result I have bunions (TMI, apologies). Because of this, if I'm getting anywhere near heel territory, it's gotta be low to the ground and it can't be a stiletto. I kicked off my first day of the experiment in Ganni slingback block heels. I styled them with statement earrings, a white button-down shirt, and white jeans (a "very Nicole outfit" if you ask any of my friends).
I settled into my desk nook in my apartment and began my work day. If I'm being honest, it felt a bit silly to be wearing heels in my own apartment. But as the day carried on, I answered emails and wrote stories with noticeably more confidence.
Shop the Outfit: Grayson The Hero Shirt; Whimsy + Row Flora Pants [3] (£145.50); Nanushka x Sophie Monet Wood Carve Earrings [4] (£95); Ganni Low Heel Slingbacks [5] (£241).
Tuesday
The next day I opted for a pair of Senso cream-coloured flats. The simple, sleek silhouette felt complementary with a minimalist Breton-stripe tee and blue jeans, so I went with that. Obviously, I am aware this combination is far from revolutionary, but there was something about the clean flats (in place of sneakers) that made me feel more grownup (and dare I say, Parisian?). Again, I approached my work with a heightened sense of authority.
Shop the Outfit: Kule The Modern Long Sleeve Tee [6] (£84); Levi's Balloon Jeans [7] (£95); Senso Daphne Ballet Flats [8] (£137).
Wednesday
The next day I had a meeting with a potential copywriting client in the neighbourhood, so I decided to kick it up a notch and wear a sweater and skirt. I accessorised with Reike Nen slingback heels (my new favourite shoe silhouette, BTW). The look was chic and relaxed, and I felt like I was able to focus on my work rather than worrying about my appearance being professional enough. So far, I wasn't missing my sneakers in the slightest.
Shop the Outfit: Vince sweater and skirt; Reike Nen Mixed Turnover Slingback Pumps [9] (£327); JW Pei Rantan Bag [10] (£86).
Thursday
For Thursday, I test-drove another comfortable shoe silhouette — the slide. Brother Vellies's riff on the footwear shape nods to Western influence with its silver hardware, and is unsurprisingly super comfortable. I wore them with a crewneck sweater and pale pink slacks. I felt good, and even my DHL delivery guy complimented my outfit. A success!
Shop the Outfit: Laura Lombardi Curve Earrings [11] (£95); J.Crew sweater; Veda pants; Creagh bag; Brother Vellies Greg Shoes [12] (£262, originally £274).
Friday
For my final day of experimentation I went with a white dress and loafers from Dear Frances. The outfit looks fancy, but trust me when I say it was the most comfortable outfit of the week. I felt nostalgic for Carrie Bradshaw with my voluminous frock, but it also felt like I was wearing a breezy nightgown — best of both worlds, if you ask me.
Shop the Outfit: Merlette Soliman Dress [13] (£277); Dear Frances Hans Loafers [14] (£420).
Reflecting on my week without sneakers, I can attest that the power of showing up for your physical self is strong. Even if you work remotely, getting dressed for the day and approaching your home desk with as much motivation as an office goes far. Until further notice, my sneakers will be taking a backseat on workdays.