Full disclosure: the last couple of weeks haven't been the greatest and it was difficult to muster up the motivation to talk about clothes. Putting together an outfit was the last thing on my mind. After two years of dodging it, I caught Covid a few days before a much anticipated Europe trip. Worst timing ever, but hey, it is what it is. It's safe to say that I put little to no effort in looking presentable during my five day quarantine, but it left me a lot of time to think about everything and anything.
Here are some observations that I made during my five days of sniffles, coughing, sweatsuits, and messy (like really messy) buns.
Let's call these stay-at-home thoughts:
- CLOTHES HOLD MEANING
If there's one thing that being obliged to stay home for a whole five days, it's that really do influence how we feel about ourselves (cc: my previous article). I started going back into the office earlier this year and although I loved the whole work from home thing, I really missed putting together fun outfits and being seen in public. Attention-seeker? Not necessarily. There's just something about being proud of an outfit that boosts my self-confidence—adds a little pep in my step. 95% of my wardrobe has been in hibernation during the pandemic. It's been time for the items inside my closet to shine. My obliged quarantine evidently brought me back into the sweatsuit pattern. It's not that I don't love a good sweatsuit, but the fact was that I felt like I had something stripped away from me. If I really wanted to, I could've dressed up at home, but who am I kidding? I was sick, had to postpone a trip, and felt less-than-great. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.
- WE TAKE DRESSING UP FOR GRANTED
I took advantage of my quarantine to shamelessly binge watch Season 2 of Bridgerton and although it's not *real life*, we can agree that NO ONE dresses remotely close that on a daily basis nowadays—I mean like, how many of us have a modiste? I wish I could be in head-to-toe custom-wear all day everyday. However, everyday is an opportunity to dress up, even though "dressing up" can carry a different meaning to everyone. Wear that top that's been sitting in your closet for months. Wear that piece of statement jewelry you've been too shy to take out. Wear heels even if you think every one will be in flats. YOU DO YOU. Quarantine made me realize that I should put effort on the days where I'm not feeling myself too because any reason to be out and about is worth to be grateful for.
- OUR SURROUNDINGS PLAY A HUGE INFLUENCE IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY
As much as what we wear can influence our overall mood, so do our surroundings. I've always been mindful about filling my personal space with items that me happy. Well, when you're in your personal space for days on end, you really do realize how every little thing affects your overall environment whether it be a teacup set, a candle, furniture...literally everything. We've all spent more time at home than we ever thought we would over the last two years and I'm sure it's made most of us realize how important our home really is.
Good news: I'm in the clear and off to Europe this week! Time to recharge, get inspired, and come back 100% refreshed! Lots more mirror selfies to come once I'm obvi more presentable :)
Take care of yourselves Valentina Babes!!!