To Get Dressed or Not To Get Dressed?

Written by Ingrid Yeung

Sept 7, 2020

Illustrated by Ingrid Yeung

To get dressed or not to get dressed? That is the ultimate question – at least for the time being. For the past few months, I’ve been noticing a pretty intriguing phenomenon. Since the shelter-in-place orders went out and quarantine became the norm, my morning routine has become somewhat of a daily conundrum. By this, I mean that the act of getting ready for the day requires more thought and effort than I was previously accustomed to, leading to quite the inner turmoil.

Before quarantine, I would consider my morning routine to be on par with the average person. How I dressed mainly revolved around my tasks for the day, who I would be seeing, and what the weather was like. Although sometimes these aspects required time and contemplation, it generally boiled down to practicality, with a bit of personal style thrown in. And on the days that I didn’t need to go out and could simply lounge around the house, I would base my outfits solely on comfort and ease, even remaining in my pajamas on occasion.

Now, fast forward a couple months into 2020, and I found myself having to reevaluate the way that I dress and what leads me to choose what I wear. Although I was staying at home the entire day, I wasn’t lounging. There were still remote classes to attend, meetings to be a part of, and work to get done. This led to a conflict: do I dress comfortably for a day at home, without a care for my appearance, or do I dress as I normally would, with the intention to have a full day of productive activity?

This was a question that I hadn’t put much prior thought to, but it holds a pretty fundamental role in our everyday lives. Since being in quarantine, I’ve come to discover the power that lies in our clothes and the way we dress. Fashion isn’t solely about practically or aesthetics; it is way more complex and intricate. How we dress is reflective of how we perceive ourselves and how we present that image to the world. It also has an immense impact on our mood and mental state and differs completely from person to person. I like to think of the time we take to get ready for the day as a small moment of peace, where we are able to check in on ourselves and address how we feel and what we want to accomplish. All these factors are expressed in what we choose to wear. Oftentimes, merely the act of dressing in a specific way can boost our confidence or productivity, and we can employ this power of fashion to our advantage. For many people still working from home, me included, going through an actual routine of choosing an outfit and getting dressed puts me in a mindset that is ready to charge forward and take on the day, even if that day is spent entirely in the comfort of my own home.

Till next time!

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