It is a tough challenge to dress for a home-based career.  You need a wardrobe that is versatile and professional, yet super comfortable.  I have worked from home for the past 20 years.  Trust me that there have been many days when I have lost track of time, not showered by 5 p.m., and been very grateful that I don’t have Skype.  If my clients could see me on those days, they might never hire me again.  If you are wearing sweatpants all day, it is very easy to get distracted by dirty laundry, dirty dishes, and who’s on Oprah.  That is why it is important to put together a home office wardrobe that means business.  The trick is to dress like a winner so that you will feel and perform like a winner. 

Here are a few tips for dressing for success when you are your own boss:

1.  Make your work wardrobe about easy choices.  I call it “mindless dressing.”   A pair of black pants or leggings will work with virtually every top in your closet whether it’s a bright, pastel, or neutral color.  Find a style that fits your petite proportions perfectly and invest in several pair.  Black doesn’t show wrinkles and it doesn’t show dirt.   

2.  Keep it simple.  You don’t want to waste a lot of valuable time getting dressing.  Two pieces is all you need, a top and a bottom.  Layer on a cardigan if you feel a chill.   Add a jacket, a scarf, or some cool accessories if you have a meeting outside of the home.

3.  Believe in the power of denim.  Jeans rule as the pant for all seasons that looks right for all reasons.  Build a basic denim wardrobe.  The average petite consumer owns 7 pairs of jeans.  You will always be motivated and productive when you are wearing your favorite jeans.

I religiously clean my closets out twice a year.  It is a form of therapy for me, an opportunity to purge. I love the chance to reorganize my clothes and accessories.   It gives me great joy to give clothes and shoes that I don’t wear to those less fortunate than me.   My husband doesn’t understand my neurotic need to shift all of my “summery” clothes to my off-season closet every November and pull out my “wintery” clothes. He finds this whole semi-annual closet ritual borderline crazy since we live in Florida where all of the seasons sort of melt into one another.  The closet swap provides me with a lot of valuable fashion lessons.  Here is what I learned this year: 

1.  I HAVE A SHOE FETISH. 

This is crystal clear when I find shoes that I haven’t worn for months because I forgot I had them.  I make no apologies for my love of my shoes.  Shoes make me happy.  A new pair guarantees a good mood. 

2.  CLASSIC PIECES NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE. 

Every time I clean out my closets, I am reminded of the benefits of investing in classics.  My black wool crepe pencil skirt which I adore is over ten years old.  My chocolate brown twill trousers are at least that old.  The good news is that they still fit. 

My favorite black skirt

3.  YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY BLACK TOPS OR BLACK SHOES. 

Okay, I admit that I own 10 black knit tops, 14 black sweaters, 22 pair of black shoes, and 3 pair of black boots.  That may sound a bit excessive, but to me it is exactly the right number.   Each top, each pair of shoes represents a different look, a different mood.  Is a black beaded flip-flop even in the same family as a black suede platform pump?  A black satin camisole gives a menswear patterned suit a sexy twist while a black rib turtleneck is always a classic.  Every petite fashionista knows that all black pieces are not alike. 

Sexy black pumps