LOUNGEWEAR FOR WORKING FROM HOME

Getting 'properly' dressed doesn't mean you can't be comfortable too. By Prudence Wade...

Many of us are working from home for the first time ever right now, which can come as a bit of a shock to the system.

Initially, it feels quite exciting (you don't have to wear a bra! You can stay in your pyjamas all day!). But the novelty soon wears off.

While working from home is a good opportunity to relax your normal dress code (and save on som e laundry too), it's still worth putting some amount of thought into what you wear. There's no pressure here of course, but fashion can be a valuable tool for bringing a bit of sunshine into your day - which is something we all need right now.

In recent weeks, Instagram has shown just how chic loungewear can be. If you want to be bang on trend with your working from home outfits, follow these key rules.. .

D O ACTUALLY GET DRESSED

This might sound obvious, but it's important. If you stay in your pyjamas all day, your work and home life will slowly seep into one, and that has the potential to get pretty scary and depressing. Getting dressed in the morning signals your working day is about to start - and you can change back into those PJs as soon as work finishes, if you like.

We're definitely not saying you sh ould slip on a pair of skinny jeans at 9am though, as wearing denim, or anything with a tight waistband when working from home really isn't necessary (there is no need for this sort of punishment!). Luckily, many chic loungewear outfits are just as comfortable as your favourite PJs and will help kick off your day in style.

KEEP IT NEUTRAL

One thing is clear from celebs posting about their quarantine ex per iences (other than the fact they're holing up in some pretty incredible mansions) - neutral colours are the way to go.

To keep your loungewear looking chic and elegant, focus on shades like beige, grey, cream or stone. It might sound trivial, but a relaxed colour palette can do much to help keep your mood calm and stress-free.

INVEST IN A MATCHING SET

A matching set is the ultimate working from home look. This isn't a time for loud patterns or colours though. Instead, pick one block colour and wear it throughout your whole outfit.

If you're keen to mix up your look, it's all about subtlety. Take inspiration from stylish celebs like Olivia Palermo and wear a ribbed set, which gives a low-key bit of oomph to loungewear. good opportunity to wear your softest, most luxurious clothes in jersey, cotton and wool.

MIX FITTED AND LOOSE

If you're not wearing a matching set, follow the golden rule of mixing fitted with loose. If everything in your outfit is baggy you risk looking, and feeling, like you haven't changed out of your pyjamas, but adding a more streamlined element to your ou tf it will make everything look infinitely more put-together.

This is a simple ethos to follow; this could mean anything from pairing leggings with a loose knitted jumper, or wearing your best trackies with a simple white T-shirt. Tracksuit bottoms have come a long way in recent years and, chosen carefully, can actually be worked into a 'dressed up' look, believe it or not.

PYJAMAS AREN'T ALWAYS IN BAD TA STE

You should absolutely change out of your pyjamas to start work, but who's to say you shouldn't change into another set? Putting on a pretty pair you didn't sleep in is totally fine!

Floral, silky pyjama tops can be seriously chic - the kind of thing you'll easily be able to wear out with a pair of jeans in the future.

Thinking about those video conference calls with colleagues? People can only see yo ur top half in a video chat remember, so no one will really know if you're actually wearing a PJ set or just a nice floral shirt.

Dream Now, Do Later...

HOW TO PLOT FUTURE TRAVEL ADVENTURES

Holidays may be temporarily on hold, but planning magical trips is still possible, says Sarah Marshall...

Spontaneity shapes thrilling travel escapades, but there's also a case for careful, methodical planning. Often, the preparation - deciding on a route, reading up about a destination - can be just as enjoyable as the trip itself.

Global movements may have ground to a halt, but thoughts can still roam freely. So use these gifted moments to fantasise about the future, plot epic adventures and set goals to realise lifelong travel dreams.

Always wanted to scale a snow-capped mountain or sit within trunk's reach of an African elephant? The time is coming. Take inspiration from these life-affirming adventures, accompanied by relevant tips for using lockdown to prepare.

MAKE WINTER TRACKS ACROSS SIBERIA

Watching the world unfurl whilst trundling along train tracks is the epitome of slow, nostalgic travel. Long distan ce railway journeys provide an opportunity to discover the lay of a land in detail, often accessing off-grid areas and communities - all done from the comfort of a hotel-on-wheels.

The Trans-Siberian is intrepid at the best of times, but a winter departure pushes boundaries even further. Crossing snowy steppes, mountain ranges and eight times zones, the sumptuous Golden Eagle will cover 10,000km, pulled by various steam locomotives.

FORM FAMILY BONDS ON A SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI

Anyone remotely interested in wildlife should do an African safari at least once in the ir lives. Chances are you'll want to go back again an d again. Reassuringly malaria-free, South Africa is a good choice for families, and prices are much more reasonable too.

Highly intelligent and credited for their strong social bonds, elephants are a favourite to observe in the wild. Expect to see plenty at Addo Main Camp, on the fringes of Addo Elephant National Park on the Cape, close to Port Elizab eth .

Hailed as excellent for children, the collection of caravans, tents, chalets and rondavels have access to cooking facilities, a swimming pool, bird hide and floodlit watering hole where animals come to drink at night. Visitors can explore in their own vehicles without a guide (keeping down costs), although the camp also offers 4WD safaris.

HIKE THROUGH NEPAL'S HIMALAYAN VALLEYS

After weeks of being coo ped up inside with views restricted to a 2km radius, the idea of walking for days through ever-changing scenery sounds like pure bliss.

The Himalayas present some of the best trekking opportunities on our planet, and although epic Everest is for serious pros, a much more manageable option is the Annapurna Sanctuary, a glacial basin surrounded by mountains.

Regarded as one of the best routes for acclimati sation in Nepal, the natural amphitheatre is revered for its unique plant and animal life, and worshipped as a residence for Hindu and Buddhist deities. Hike through towering forests, sleep in traditional teahouses and watch the sunrise over glistening, cloud-piercing peaks. Join an escorted tour to enjoy the full benefits of a local guide, and the fulfilment of completing a challenge as a group.

DISCOVE R THE BI G BLUE IN EGYPT OR INDONESIA

Nature has been one of the few beneficiaries of lockdown: skies are bluer, birdsong is louder and fish stocks are recovering as

trawlers are forced to rest. Very soon the seas will be even more colourful and active, making a dive holiday a top priority to book.

The Red Sea is an affordable and accessible option; Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh resort on the Sinai Peninsula i s ideally located to explore dazzling Ras Mohammed National Park. Further afield, Indonesian archipelago Raja Ampat is the epicentre of the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine environment on earth.

SAVOUR WILDERNESS WITH THE KIDS IN SCOTLAND

If isolation has sparked a fondness for back-to-basics living, consider a camping trip for your next family getaway; considerably cheaper than staying in a ho tel or cottage, a holiday under canvas is a practical option all round and proof dreams can be realised closer to home.

Scenery, solitude and sheer space make Scotland ripe for adventure.

Steps away from the beach, Runach Arainn on the Isle of Arran is a three-yurt glamping site adorned with creature comforts; Wheems Organic Farm on Orkney has a mixture of yurts, sheepskin-lined bothies and meadows for te nt pitching available.

True boy scouts and girl guides might consider wild camping. Thanks to the 2003 Land Reform Act, it's possible to pitch a tent on most unenclosed land (although byelaws do apply to East Loch Lomond).