How to dress in a post-COVID world

It’s 6:45am, my first alarm goes off and I allow myself to snooze for another 15 minutes before getting up, getting ready and commuting to the kitchen where I will plop down for the next 8ish hours.

In this new COVID routine, I have found myself getting lazier and lazier when it comes to “getting ready”. The novelty of working from home full time has worn off and I haven’t touched my makeup or hair straightener in weeks. While I will never complain about the extra sleep-in time or the comfort of my workout pants…..I am starting to miss the days in the office where I got to stroll around in my heeled boots, conservative blouse and a bright lip. Gone are the days where I planned my outfit nightly and as Zoom meetings became the norm, I was less and less concerned with wearing a sweatshirt on screen and no makeup at all. So in this confusing time of quarantine, I often wonder….will I ever wear real “clothes” again?

WHY I DRESS UP

It goes without saying, every person has the right to wear whatever to wherever they want. I also believe we are happiest when we can wear what makes us feel confident and comfortable. I, myself, enjoyed wearing business casual to work everyday. The routine of picking out my outfit to reflect my mood and having fun with the makeup to compliment my outfit were often the highlight of my day. 

When working in a stiff, male-dominated industry, I felt my clothes allowed me to express some fun and joy in the workplace. I loved showcasing a favorite outfit to grab tea from the communal kitchen lounge. 

Not only was dressing for work a creative expression for me, my outfits reflected my mood and allowed me to portray a certain persona. Sometimes, I want to be a carefree spirit emulating a bohemian hippie from the 60s with a loose sweater and flared bell-bottoms. Other times, I want to be a Sid Vicious groupie with my Doc Martens and leather jacket. Fashion was like an outer expression of what I was feeling OR who I wanted to be. Like a costume for an actress on a stage, clothing allowed me to be a character. 

THE WORLD HAS CHANGED

Industry experts have made it clear that those who have the ability to work remotely, likely will not return full-time to an office. A whole year of at-home productivity has further proven we don’t need to be in an office 8 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Through COVID, society has learned how to adapt and collaborate through technology that no longer requires in-person meetings to accomplish tasks. While technology is no substitute for in-person connection, we have no demonstrated there is no reason people have to return to the office full-time. 

Post-COVID, I suspect we will live in a hybrid world where we will head into the office a couple of days a week or as necessary. This leaves us to wonder how our closets should adapt to this new hybrid world of work. 

WHAT WILL WE WEAR?

Like this new world of work, I believe we are entering a new world of clothing. Incorporating the lassaise-faire attitude of working from home with a sense of desire to “dress” will inform the immediate years following COVID. So don’t plan on throwing away your athleisure-wear...although you can always up-level it (see Blog for inspo). But DO plan on getting back into your work-wear a couple days a week. 

Your work-wear might be less stiff so incorporate more pieces that are comfortable and easily transferable to a work-from-home outfit. One of my personal favorite transitional looks are the hybrid sweatshirt/blouses. Think Ulla Johnson sweatshirt with pull-sleeves, Alo Yoga clarity long sleeved with cowl neck, Frame shirred sweatshirt or Reformation classic sweatshirt. These are not only comfortable, they are the perfect blank canvas for a statement necklace which completely changes the look and feel of the outfit.   

I would also invest in transitional outerwear. If you stocked up on t-shirts over the quarantine, jackets are the perfect way to transition them into a work environment. For example, this plaid Madewell blazer is perfect for layering over shirts and sweatshirts. 

IN CONCLUSION

To address my earlier question “will I ever wear real clothes again?”….YES. 

My opportunities to wear business casz may be less than before, but I know I’m not alone in my desire to get dressed again. And while our athliesure and comfy clothes are here to stay (to the relief of many), I do foresee that when we have the chance to dress to the nines (like social events, galas and bdays) people will be showing up to showcase their fashion! How will YOU switch up your wardrobe game in 2021?  See “Top Wardrobe Essentials for 2021” to see how to dress for events in a BIG way.