All hopes of the pandemic moving on quickly are gone. It’s time we acknowledge that this is our new normal, at least for a little bit. One way to bring some normalcy back to your life is by dressing up even when you have nowhere to go.
It may feel silly, but there are many good reasons why you should still dress up. Maybe you’re celebrating a special occasion, maybe you’re just dressing for your workday, or maybe you’re having a complete blow-out and you’re dressing in your most glamorous outfit. Whatever it is, it can give you a serious mental boost.
Here are seven reasons why you should still dress up when you’re stuck at home:
- Make an average day feel special
Before the pandemic, we celebrated special occasions by dressing up, going out for drinks, or sharing a meal together. Even though not many safe options are available for these activities right now, we can still dress up at home.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or just another Tuesday, putting on your favorite shirt or dress can make the day feel just a bit more special. For a complete makeover, take a shower or bath, use pampering supplies like bath bombs, do a face mask, the whole shebang!
If you have the funds, maybe even treat yourself to a new outfit. Is there a dress or pair of shoes that you’ve had sitting in your online cart for weeks? Splurge and treat yourself. It helps to add a bit more sunshine to your day.
- Keep your routine
When it comes to improving your mental health, there’s nothing like a routine. Routines help you maintain structure and control over your day. They can remind you of the purpose and normalcy that can be easily lost when you’re stuck at home day after day.
By choosing to dress up at home in the same way that you did before the pandemic, you maintain healthy routines. This can be as simple as putting on a pair of slacks and a button-down while you work instead of staying in your pj’s all day.
It can also be as over-the-top and extra as you want, as long as it’s part of your routine. Maybe once a week, you and a friend dress up, do your hair and make-up, and meet for a happy hour via video call. At the end of the call, you’ll feel refreshed and more like your normal self.
- It can motivate others
When you get dressed up, have a mini photoshoot and post the pictures to social media or send them to friends. They may be inspired by your energy and also dress up. Soon, you could be passing pictures back and forth of your favorite lockdown looks.
Even if you’re only dressing up for work that day, snap a photo with your cup of coffee and post it with a good morning message. Seeing you maintain your own routine can provide comfort and motivation to others who may be struggling to do the same. Plus, the accountability can help keep you on track.
- Use clothes you haven’t been wearing
You know those fancy purple socks that have been in your drawer? (No Cold Feet has you covered if you don’t have any fancy socks yet.) Busting them out for no reason can immediately change your day the moment you put them on.
Your work wardrobe has probably been a bit neglected, too. It doesn’t hurt to bring out your favorite professional outfit every once in a while to get yourself in the right mindset. Sometimes, even just dressing for the task (like working or going on a date) can make you feel more prepared and confident. Don’t let those clothes gather dust in your closet. Shake them out and use their power.
- Look cute for video call date nights
Since the pandemic began, many single people have had to embrace the new awkwardness of video dating. Going on a first date can be awkward to begin with. Add in overlapping words, WiFi problems, and accidental roommate cameos, and the awkwardness reaches a whole new level.
To help make yourself feel better prepared and to give the best impression, it’s a good idea to dress up just as you would if you were going on the first date in-person. You don’t have to go all out, but get cleaned up, wear an outfit that makes you feel good, and maybe put on a bit of makeup if that’s your thing. It helps you feel more comfortable and it gives your date a sneak peek of what it would be like to meet face-to-face.
- You can try out a new look
If there’s a style you’ve always wanted to try but you feel nervous about making the switch, now is the time to do it! Stop asking yourself, “Could I pull off this style?” Start collecting clothes that excite you. Strut around in your apartment with your new clothes and see how you feel.
In the best-case scenario, you have time to get comfortable with your new style so that you can show it off in public with confidence. In the worst-case scenario, you look like a doofus but nobody knows about it except you (and maybe your cat. Don’t judge, Mittens!).
- You’ll feel more like yourself
The most valuable reason to dress up while you’re stuck at home is simply to feel more like yourself. Fashion is a way to express yourself and bring yourself joy. Are you expressing yourself by wearing pj’s all day? Or do you wish you had reason to dress up?
If you’re sad and not feeling like yourself, that’s reason enough to dress up. Your mental health is a top priority. Don’t let anyone make you feel silly for putting your well being first.
Because we express ourselves so much through our appearance, it’s important to maintain the routines and the sense of self that we felt before the pandemic. Take care of yourself by getting dressed every day. Once in a while, turn things up with your favorite outfit to celebrate occasions big and small, together or alone, just for the fun of it!