As the world slowly and cautiously reopens amidst the novel Coronavirus pandemic, many are still working from home, and some may work from home permanently. The new normal means countless digital Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime meetings in front of computer and phone screens with colleagues, clientele, students, services, and whoever else. 

During these digital meetings, you’re visible from the waist up, which might mean taking extra care with dressing and grooming that part of your outfit. That’s the topic I’m throwing around today, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences too.

I’m seldom in Zoom meetings, but our forum members, my clients, friends, and hubs Greg are in digital meetings all day. I’ve picked up some of their tips along the way.

1. Tops and Dresses

Comfort is key so tops and dresses should not be too tight, constricting, or stiff. Casual knits work as well as dressier wovens as long as their appearance is fairly polished. Tops and dresses should look good worn on their own, because toppers like jackets are seldom worn for indoor digital meetings. Cardigans work well over sleeveless tops, but might get hot in Summer. Clients who are uncomfortable baring their arms have added more sleeved tops and dresses to their wardrobes.

Necklines that aren’t too deep or revealing work best, and look professional. Some add a camisole for polish and insulation. Some like to wear patterns and non-neutrals because they look more interesting on camera. Others stick to neutrals and solids because patterns are risky on camera. Some wear patterns and dark neutrals because they are forgiving of perspiration marks.

Hubs Greg sticks to wearing his happy black, blue and grey graphic tees, casual shirts, sweaters, and hoodies. He also wears company logo tees which keep things simple, festive, and uniform. He dresses things up with a nice button-down shirt when he’s in a client or board meeting.

2. Toppers

Cardigans are a casual and comfortable option, and come in handy because you can peel them off as the temperature warms up. Some clients add blazers and jackets to more formal meetings, but that’s rare. Those doing very casual meetings wear hoodies, sweatshirts and athleisure toppers because they are comfortable and easy to launder.

3. Accessories

Interestingly, some accessories are playing a bigger role in digital meetings than I would have I thought. Necklaces, specs, and earrings take centre stage because they add interest to the top part of the outfit. Some are wearing headscarves to tame out of control hair, and looking super cute! Others are wearing caps and beanies to hide bad hair days. Some are wearing fun scarves and shawls over basic tees for visual interest. And some are matching their fun shawls to patterned coffee mugs to make a creative statement.

4. Hair and Make-Up

With hair salons only recently re-opening, most people have simply been coping the best that they can with their hair. Tying it back to keep it out the way or neat has been popular for long hair. Adding barrettes or hairbands, throwing in a bit of wave with a curling iron, or straightening frizzy bits with a flat iron has worked well too. Make-up has been business as usual for some, and toned down for others.

Over to you. How have you adapted or changed the way you dress and groom for work-at-home Zoom meetings and gatherings?

Paskho is a sustainable athleisure and travel clothing brand that was founded by Patrick Robinson, who has designed for Giorgio Armani, Anna Klein, Perry Ellis, Paco Rabanne, and the Gap. After seeing that the blue dye from denim factories was contaminating rivers and affecting wildlife, Robinson was committed to change.

Paskho — which means “passion” in Greek — was founded out of a “return to fundamentals”, “doing more with less”, and inspiring others “to repurpose rather than add to the piles of waste that overflow our landfills.” Paskho designs are made of reclaimed fabrics to prevent waste, and as a result many items are limited-edition pieces. As the demand for Paskho items grew, Robinson worked with his fair trade factory to source sustainable textiles, reduce waste, and eliminate unnecessary plastic.

The collections are targeted at a niche set of men and women who enjoy wearing extremely casual sporty clothes in technical fabrics for work, travel and play. Sizes run from an XS to XXL. Items are strong, light, robust, easy to launder, do not crease, and very comfortable. Colours are generally neutral and solid. Items are pricey, but do go on sale.

I haven’t yet seen these items in person, but I like their simplicity, versatility, and the forgiving fits of their fluid silhouettes. My guess is that they will fit a range of body types because they lack excessive structure, and the waistbands are flexible. Furthermore, you don’t need to wear the look from head to toe. You can mix and match the items with dressier pieces. Combine the utility pants with a boho blouse and heeled sandal booties. Throw a cute silk shirt over a pair of their shorts, and wear a sheath dress under the relaxed blazer.

I’m not an athleisure or technical fabric type of gal, although I like the white travel hoodie because it’s bright and crisp. It looks yummy with the white top layered underneath it. I can see hubs Greg in a lot of the items in the men’s section, because they are in his happy colours and he likes technical fabric.

2020 has been a tough and intense year for most of us. One very stressful part for Greg and I is our concern for my Dad in the Netherlands, and his father in South Africa. Both men are elderly with complicated medical situations that make them particularly vulnerable. I know we share this situation with many others. It’s tricky to say the least, and I’m sure that everyone is doing the best that they can.

Despite my own stress for my dear Papa, he’s not stressed at all! He turns 88 this year, and is the same very charming, calm, kind and gentle soul he’s been his whole life. He’s had some health challenges this year, ended up in hospital in the middle of the Dutch stay-at-home order, and never once complained about anything. The nurses at the ward adored Papa because he was a smiley, warm and compliant patient. Papa’s team of at-home carers are just as enamoured with him because in his quiet way, he’s the sweetest and most likable man, who laughs a lot and is forever grateful for what you do for him. People tell him over and over again, “hij is een schat van een man,” which translated from Dutch means, he’s a treasure of a man. I wholeheartedly agree.

Although fragile and frail, Papa is doing much better than he was earlier this year, and for that we are blessed. I was booked to see him in April, but had to cancel my trip. Travelling abroad will be tricky for a while, and I don’t know when I will see next see my Dad in person. But I continue to speak to him almost daily, which I’ve been doing since my Mama passed away twenty years ago. Our conversations are short and simple, but meaningful.

These are the most recent photos I have of my Dad and me. They were taken when I last visited the Netherlands back in August last year. They authentically exude Papa’s good spirits and million dollar smile.

The Father’s Day weekend brings both joy and sadness for a myriad of reasons. My heart goes out to those who have lost their Dads, or are going through a rough time with them. We hope that you find peace in your hearts and are comforted by loved ones. Stay safe, strong, and positive.

Many of us are wearing face masks daily, and that comes with its own set of challenges and inventive solutions:

• Angie recently wrote about facial masks and foggy specs.
• As the weather heats up, some face masks can start to feel uncomfortable, so StyleCaster rounded up 10 breathable face masks to get us through a hot Summer.
• Face masks can trigger skin issues, here are some tips to avoid skin irritation.
• Some people find that a mask’s ear straps can cause pain and irritation, these clever ear guards can help with that.
• Refinery29 asked dermatologists if our skin care should change when wearing a face mask.
• I thought this was interesting: “Masks are here to stay. And they’re quickly becoming a way to express ourselves.”

Fab Links from Our Members

Minaminu directs us to this article about the future of fashion after lockdown.

La Belle Demimondaine loves the Kibbe info on Answearable. She says: “Now that I’m (finally) starting to understand Kibbe, I just can’t get enough.”

Nuancedream was shocked to read that Sies Marjan is closing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. She adds: “I hope the brand can reinvent itself much like Tracy Reese with Hope for Flowers.”

“This Is Not the End of Fashion,” slim cat wanted to share this hopeful article by Vanessa Friedman.

Suntiger liked this round-up of 10 black fashion luminaries who made history.

Runcarla is very interested in the slowing down/changing of the fashion show cycles. She wanted to share this article touching on Michael Kors decision to do two shows, and do them closer to the ‘wear’ season. 

Shevia thought this was a very interesting analysis about how the business of fashion is changing and why.