Storage at the workplace

Short answer: A change of clothes at work saves the day when you get wet or spill something. Keep it in a closed bag in your locker, and swap it out every three months.

A full set takes up almost no space

A T-shirt, a pair of underwear and a pair of socks fit in one bag. That covers most mishaps, from coffee down your top to a downpour on the bike ride in. Choose pieces that suit what you normally wear, so you can get through the rest of the day without standing out. See bamboo bras.

Think about what usually happens

Look at what tends to go wrong. If you cycle to work, it is often rain or sweat, and then underwear and socks matter most. If you work with food or drink, it is your top that gets hit. Pack the set for your own mishaps rather than for everything.

Keep the bag closed

A closed bag keeps the clothes clean and fresh in between. An open locker gathers dust, and loose clothes pick up the smell of whatever else is stored there. A bag with a zip or drawstring is enough. Put your name on it if the locker is shared. See bamboo sweat for men and women.

An extra layer can help

A thin layer, such as a sweatshirt or a long sleeve top, is handy to have. Offices can be cold, and a wet jacket is hard to sit in. A top you can pull on covers both cold and stains. It can sit next to the bag or hang on a hook.

Swap the set every three months

Clothes left for six months pick up a cupboard smell. Swap the set at regular intervals and take it home to wash, even if it has not been worn. Every three months works well and roughly follows the seasons, so you can adjust the set to the weather too. See most popular for women.

Refill after use

Once the set has been used, it is easy to forget to replace it. Take the worn clothes home in the bag and put a fresh set in your bag that evening. Then it is full again the next day. An empty locker on the day you need it is the same as no set at all.

A place for wet clothes

If there is room, keep a spare bag for wet clothes you take off. That keeps them away from the rest, and you can take them home without the bag getting damp. Never leave them in the locker overnight, as they soon start to smell.

Small things that make a difference

A small pack of wet wipes and a spare hair tie take up almost no room but can rescue a day. Keep them in the same bag as the clothes, so everything is in one place. The simpler the set, the more likely it is to be kept up all year.

Frequently asked questions

What should a change of clothes include

A T-shirt, a pair of underwear and a pair of socks. It fits in a small bag and covers most mishaps, and a spare top can sit alongside it.

How is it best stored

In a closed bag in your locker. The bag keeps the clothes clean and free of the smell that builds up in a locker over time.

How often should it be swapped

Every three months. Clothes left unworn for six months pick up a smell that only disappears in the wash.