Checklist before a long working day

Short answer: Choose a layer you can take off, choose underwear without visible seams, and bring a spare pair of socks if the day involves a lot of walking or wet weather. These are small choices in the morning that you notice most at the end of the day.

A layer you can take off

The temperature changes between the commute, the office and meetings. A train can be warm, an office cool and a meeting room stuffy after a long session. A top layer that goes on and off easily helps you avoid both cold and sweat. Pick something that does not crease much over the back of a chair. See bamboo panties.

Think the day through

Before you get dressed, think briefly about what the day holds. Will you walk or cycle to work, sit still for hours, or be on your feet a lot. Each situation asks something different of your clothes. A quick look at the forecast and your calendar is often enough to choose right the first time.

Underwear without irritating seams

A seam that rubs becomes impossible to ignore after ten hours. What you do not notice in the morning can bother you late in the afternoon. Choose underwear with flat seams, or no seams where clothes sit close. The same goes for a T-shirt under a shirt or sweater. See bamboo T-shirts for women.

Sit down and check

A long workday often means many hours on a chair. Clothes that fit well standing up can pinch at the waist or crotch when you sit. Sit down for a moment once you are dressed and pay attention. If something pinches in the morning, it will not get better after many hours.

A spare pair of socks

Wet socks spoil a whole afternoon. A rain shower, a puddle by the kerb or many steps during the day can leave socks damp. A spare pair in your bag takes almost no space and can be changed in a minute. It is a small thing that makes the rest of the day more comfortable. See socks for women.

Shoes and socks belong together

Your socks should suit the shoes you wear. Thin socks in loose shoes can let the foot slide, and thick socks in snug shoes can cause pressure. Check the socks for thin spots or holes, which you feel clearly after many steps. New shoes are best broken in on a shorter day first.

Lay out your clothes the night before

There is rarely time to think in the morning. Lay out your clothes the evening before and check that everything is clean, dry and whole. Then you spot a hole or a missing button while there is still time to find something else. It also makes the morning calmer, a good start to a long day.

Keep a small backup in your bag

Besides socks, a small backup can be worth carrying. A thin top or an extra layer can save the day if something gets spilled or the weather turns. Keep it light so the bag does not get heavy. Whatever you do not use can stay in the bag for the next long day.

Frequently asked questions

What should you check before a long day

That there is a layer you can take off, that your underwear has no irritating seams, and that you have a spare pair of socks. Then the day is prepared.

Why a layer you can take off

Because the temperature changes during the day. The commute, the office and the meeting room rarely share the same temperature, and an extra layer makes it easy.

Why do seams matter on a long day

Because a seam that rubs gets worse hour by hour. What you do not notice in the morning can be irritating after ten hours at work.