We are about to enter week eight of lockdown. Which means, for those of us with the privilege of being able to work from home, real clothes are a distant memory.
Most of us are slobbing through our days in an odd mixture of pyjamas and fitness gear, slippers with socks, bird nest hair, and absolutely, unequivocally, no bra.
But, not everyone has let their standards slide off a cliff in lockdown. Some women are still wearing real clothes – including bras, jeans, even full make-up – despite not seeing another human being in the flesh for weeks.
And they say it is making a world of difference to their mental health, attitude and overall well-being. They say there is power in wearing real clothes and making an effort – particularly when it is only for yourself.
We spoke to some of these denim-clad heroes to find out how they’re doing it, and why they are refusing to succumb to the loungewear life.
Hollie
Wearing normal clothes like jeans and makeup helps give me some routine and regularity to the situation we’re all in.
Plus, I’m still working full-time from home, so I don’t really want to go bare-faced on a video call with my colleagues. I want to maintain some professional decorum, even if it is only from the waist, up!
My eating habits have changed since lockdown, and I’m only just settling back into my usual healthy diet that would take me from Monday-Friday. Something simple like wearing ‘mom’ jeans helps me to normalise the situation. It keeps me motivated as a work outfit, and I don’t feel so stressed about weight gain because I’ve allowed myself to wear something with a bit of give in them.
I made sure not to give myself any added pressure and things to worry about from the moment we started WFH.
Niki
I put on clothes that make me feel happy to go to the Post Office in my local Tesco Metro.
I live alone and don’t see anyone, so I treat it as an opportunity to remember what freedom feels like.
I tend to wear floaty dresses, bright flat shoes, maybe some earrings.
I’m still wearing things that are super comfortable but they make me feel good and have turned something that I dreaded (leaving the house) in to a little adventure.
The sales of my art prints are what’s keeping me afloat so I have to go to the Post Office most days at the moment.
Cat
I think there are a couple of different reasons I’m still wearing real clothes.
Lockdown has given me a chance to reconnect with different parts of my creativity because I am unable to work in the same way.
I am channeling more of a festival vibe, whereas work normally means I need to dress very practically. It is kind of nice to get up in the morning and put on something from my wardrobe that might have lacked a bit of love.
I have a shed load of vintage stuff which is fun to wear but rarely gets an outing because of what I have to do in a day… I often look after young nieces and nephews.
I guess it is a self care thing too, taking the time to make yourself feel good. When it is just me and my screen why not mix it up.
Sharleen
Not only am I keeping up my nails and glam at home, I got rid of 80% of my clothes to welcome in my upgraded wardrobe.
Paying attention to beauty has helped me feel like I’m prioritising myself and looking after myself. Wearing my favourite colours cheers me up.
I also feel like I’ve been dressing and staying beautiful for me – which reflects my values – rather than trying to dress to be appropriate for others.
I threw out the other clothes because they were drab and that’s not who I am!
Amanda
I refuse to dress like a slob during lockdown. I’ve been working from home for a few years now so been dressing up to stay in, but I feel so much better if I’m showered and looking nice.
My friend who runs the village store told me I was the most stylish customer in Lockdown (not sure about that) and my husband said he can see why I bother dressing up because you get in a better mindset.
My days currently consist of home schooling and looking after my three boys and trying to run my business in the moments around that.
Lana
I work full-time as an ops manager and I feel that it’s important to present myself well, even though we are all working remotely, as it sets a good example to the team.
In general, it makes me feel 100% more productive and in the work frame of mind, other than being in loungewear/no makeup as I maybe would on a lazy Sunday.
I am often having video calls with people external from the business and the impression I wish to make is the same as if we were meeting in person, that I am a smart person who looks after myself.
Rebecca
For me wearing real clothes, especially jeans makes me feel ready for the day and most like myself.
When I try to work in pjs for example, I struggle to differentiate between my work day and home life, which is never good, especially at a time like this.
I personally find jeans super comfy and have no plans to stop wearing them no matter how long lockdown goes on for!
Stef
During lockdown, I have been dressing up and wearing a little bit of makeup every day. I enjoy wearing clothes I love and I do so for myself.
Picking an outfit I like and wearing mascara and lipstick brightens up my day, even though I only leave the house to go to the supermarket and to walk my dog and nobody sees my lipstick under a facemask.
I even wore heels in the park a couple of times!
The reason I do this is because it makes me feel good and it gives me a sense of normality and routine during not very normal times.
The only thing I let go a bit wild is my hair.
George
It’s partly for a morning routine; if I do the same things as I did on a morning travelling in to work, I find it wakes me up and my mind focuses a lot more easily on the tasks I need to tackle.
Since I work in IT/digital, my days are still very busy and I need that focus.
Dressing for the office also helps me tap into my ‘work face’ – now we are all online, the boundaries between professional and personal have become a lot more blurred, and it helps me retain a layer of between who I am at home and who I am at work.
Like moving my desk to its own corner of my flat so when I leave it, I know I am finished with the day.
I use makeup, perfume and different styles of outfit to draw lines between work, socialising and pure relaxation and help me be wholly in the moment of whatever I am doing.
Andrea
It just makes me feel more like my self.
It’s a form of self-care, I think. Much needed in these times where emotions go up and down in an instant.
And given that I work full-time and parent and study too, it helps get into the active ‘business as usual’ mindset.
I love my activewear, but I reserve that for evenings, mornings and weekends when I exercise.
Lalla
Getting dressed in the morning and putting together a great outfit for the rest of the day motivates me to get up and start the day – as does having my morning tea.
I use clothing as a means of comfort, distraction and fun. I feel making a effort helps me to feel a little better and lifts my mood, which I think is great for your mental health and self-esteem.
One of my favourite things before lockdown was buying nice pieces in charity shops, buying these pieces always cheered me up if I’d had a bad day.
Now, putting together a cool outfit in the morning instead of staying in my pjs all day makes me feel great and motivates me at the same time.
To get dressed in a nice outfit is a form of taking control and it helps structure your day, giving you a routine, which is hugely important.
Maria
Wearing real clothes to WFH really helps give me a sense of purpose and helps me get into a routine.
I found that wearing pjss and sportswear doesn’t get me in the right frame of mind for work – plus it doesn’t look so professional when we as a company are part of webinars.
I even use my handbag to help keep me organised and file away my work stuff so when the working day is done I can put it all away, keep organised, change into my loungewear and switch off.
I find this routine really empowers me to make sure that I know when my work time is and when my work time isn’t.
What do you think about abandoning bras in lockdown? We want to hear from you.
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