A (Pandemic) Year in Fashion

It’s been a year since the pandemic really started for us … and what a year it’s been.  Now with light at the end of the tunnel, I thought it would be interesting to muse over the effects of the Coronavirus on the fashion industry and our own personal style as well.

 

About a year ago, the world seemed to stop and we all went inside our homes.  It was a weird twilight time, wasn’t it? There was so much we didn’t know.  Headlines were scary.  Even an annoyingly positive gal like me was caught doom scrolling with anxiety, craving comfort food and comfortable clothing.  It’s been the year of the jogger for sure. Athleisure, a section of fashion that I was previously not too interested in, quickly became the bread and butter of my wardrobe!

It was a tough time for the fashion industry.  We had already started buying mostly online, but this really accelerated that trend. But even online sales were soft.  With nowhere to go and no one to see, how much did we really need? There was definitely a trend toward minimalism and capsule wardrobes.

We started coming out of our houses here and there between surges, but some of us, like myself with a low risk tolerance haven’t had a meal with a friend or shopped in person just for fun in over a year.  No fashion events, no fashion shows, no holiday parties, no live music … it was a really quiet and different year for sure.

 

Looking for some adventure, my husband and I have explored just about every nook and cranny of the Bay Area this year!  And by that I mean we’ve taken a ride there, walked around outside with masks, and occasionally picked up some take out. That has been fun and every time I think we’ve seen all there is to see, we find another cool little place to explore.  With us both working from home all week, by the time Saturday comes, we’re craving some novelty.  It was a good excuse for me to put on something cute too!  We never know what we’re going to do ahead of time, so I always carry an extra bag with walking shoes and a sun hat.

Now, with vaccines rolling out and numbers looking good, what comes next?  I’m so curious about how we’ll be dressing when things start opening up.  Will we be so used to comfy pants that the thought of something more restrictive seems silly? Or will we be so sick of our sweats, that we’ll want to break out the “extra” for every little thing we do?  I just don’t know!

Will people want to go back to shopping in stores?  I can see there being a temporary uptick, but in general, I think online shopping is going to continue to be the way most of us shop for fashion.  Online we have so many options at our fingertips.  And many brands have made it easier to buy online with free shipping and free returns.

As society starts getting in gear, I wonder … Do I remember how to walk in heels or sit in a dress? But I’m excited. Excited to start doing so many things again.  I miss traveling, I miss my girlfriends, I miss the mall, I miss live music and I miss fashion week!

Let’s be honest, I’m really looking forward to looking fierce again!

 

I can’t wait to put on something fabulous to go somewhere fabulous! And I can’t wait to get a haircut, mani/pedi, facial and my eyebrows shaped and dyed!

Has the past year changed my personal style?  As we go out and about more, I think I’ll REALLY want to dress up again!  However, I don’t think my stretchy pants and joggers are going anywhere either!  I actually can see myself wearing athleisure more out in public, even to teach, something I wouldn’t have considered before.

Also, even though I can’t wait for all pampering of beauty services, I think now I realize that I won’t totally fall apart without them.  Yes, in a pinch, I can do my own nails and my own eyebrows … even give myself a haircut (something I NEVER would’ve done before)!

How has the pandemic changed your personal style, Friends?  And what are you most looking forward to as things start opening up again? Can’t wait to hear.

 

Fun & Fashion,

Dawn Lucy