BY LEXI COYLE MCDONALD
LIFESTYLE HEAD
(Sources Linked to Each Image)
Quarantine has put us in a very constricted environment with so many rules and new routines (or lack thereof). One positive thing quarantine does for us, however, is present us with the unique opportunity to dress however we like and express ourselves in the comfort of our homes. It may seem pointless to even change out of that old sweatshirt and pajama pants that you have worn for a week straight, but actually, now is the perfect time to challenge your style and amp up your wardrobe. Why? It is a time with very low stakes fashion-wise, so step out of your comfort zone in the ways that you have always wanted to!
One place to start is to remind yourself to be bold! Shop your closet for that one thing you love but never wear, whether it be that fancy jacket you got in Paris or those funky shoes from your local flea market. Mix and match patterns, textures, lines, and values to create YOUR look that you feel reflects yourself. Once you have an outfit, you can go further and do your makeup or practice that hair tutorial and suddenly you have stockpiled different outfit combinations and ideas for when quarantine is over and you can show them off.
Mode-Relier is an app you can get on your phone that gives
possible outfit combinations based on the clothes in your own closet!
It is basically Cher’s computer app from Clueless except in that it is customized
to your own fashion-forward ideas (picture from the movie Clueless).
Another benefit is that there are not any set seasonal trends, so there are even fewer rules to follow (although the only rule in fashion is that there are no rules in fashion). Almost all places in beautification are closed right now, so lash lifts, lash extensions, hair extensions, acrylic nails, and expensive hair treatments are not really possible to get.
Two popular procedures that can be damaging to natural nails and eyelashes
(acrylic nails and eyelash extensions) which can not currently be done.
Quarantine has put us in a place that gives us a chance to embrace ourselves as we are. Just to be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting these things done, but one should not feel compelled to in order to confine to the beauty norms. It is also a time to give your skin a break from makeup, or continue to wear it as part of a routine that helps you feel confident: whatever you choose is the right choice for you!
Mood and clothing are very interconnected, according to Carolyn Mair, a behavioral psychologist and the author of “The Psychology of Fashion.” This is because clothing is the main way to visually express ourselves, impacting how we are perceived, how we view ourselves, our identities, and our self-esteem.
Dress for success, don’t set yourself up for failure!
Wearing the same clothes every day adds to the monotony of quarantined life, making you even more unmotivated overall. There are not a lot of things we can control during these confusing times, but how you present yourself is one thing that is completely under your control.
Comments