Evolution of Lockdown Fashion: This is How I Got Here—in Sweatpants

While lots of people are talking about the physical and emotional journey we have all been on in the last 3 months, here I am talking about fashion - how what we wear while we stay home has changed and want impact that has on our mental and physical well-being.

This is how I got here - in sweatpants.

Before quarantine, for years, I worked at an office 9 to 5 and, consequently, I was proud of the fact that almost every outfit I wore was classic, black and moderately uncomfortable.

Then came quarantine and, suddenly, I found myself no longer staring at my wardrobe at 7.30 am each morning wrecking my brain about what to wear. Things became simpler - if you are not leaving the house there is no need to dress for anyone, but yourself - only the standards you set up for yourself actually mattered now.

Stage 1

First were the days when people talked about the value of getting dressed every morning. How setting up new routines must incorporate elements of our old life - putting an effort into your appearance was a way to stay sane - and we needed to stay sane. I did my best to dress up and even put make up on - on the days I felt sane enough to do so.

Stage 2

Then there was the “business on top, sweatpants on the bottom” trend.

The Iconic was calling on us to “shop cute tops to wear to your next Zoom meeting”.

Well, I didn’t have many Zoom meetings, but I tried to keep it cute with the comfy aspect quickly creeping in. Instead of being a trusty weekend staple, my sweatpants slowly became a daily necessity that I did My best to make look “cute”.

Stage 3

In the past 4 weeks however, we have entered the “anything goes” territory. Personally, I have felt no need to wear anything, but sweats. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a black sweatshirt to a Zoom business meeting - who can really make out whether it is pjs or an expensive sweater through the grainy image anyway?

Oh, and I’m now obsessed with tie die - I will wear it in public which is something I have previously thought would never happen, but is super fun to wear.

Getting dressed in the morning has become far less stressful - instead of wrecking my brain about whether I will make the right impression on the people I meet that day, I now dress for myself. I’m loving this stage of quarantine (and life) where getting dressed brings me joy, comfort and inspiration. I hope this carries on to the post quarantine reality - what is the point in fashion anyway, if it is not pleasant and fun? (and talking about fun - yes, that is a bottle of wine in my hand in the last photo)

Xx

Lena