What an interesting read.It is good to get perspective through other people’s pandemic experience and it sounds very much like you have squeezed the positives out of a generally very negative time as well as being a pillar of strength to your community.

Cardiff girl - as much as it’s been and continues to be super scary having to interface with people, we were blessed we were still able to do our jobs. I feel so much for the kids in school, the elderly, people who lost jobs or are struggling with isolation. But I think trying to focus on positive changes within our control, doing work we hope is valuable, and being truly grateful for all our blessings made it easier for us than so many others. Maybe I needed to rebuy to almost “stick tight”. Just not let go and soldier on. Interesting. I need to think about that.

It's been quite a couple of years, and I'm impressed with all you achieved and offered, both personally and professionally. As always, I'm following along with your wardrobe choices closely (thanks again for the Baboon Slouch coat recommendation; bought the Emersons I was considering) and I'm off to look for a Zarita dress.

Ummlila - you looked amazing in the babaton! The zarita also comes in white which I think would look stunning on you. Read the reviews, the DVF does run small, I sized up two sizes initially, then needed one size up and it's quite fitted. The regular will end at mid thigh, the "long" which was not widely available hits about the knee, just so you know. It's a really fun elegant dress that can go up or down and very comfortable to wear. I hope you find one!! There are other colors so GL!! Hope you are enjoying the emersons the blue ridge wash is in a class by itself, although I have 3 other variants. If you can find the embroidered pair, they are really fun.

Thanx for this thread. I cannot add anything more to all it's been already said, just that I am touched by and admire both of your's and DH's strength, courage and perseverence in your trully essential field but not less in your private lives, too- during all the crazyness of the pandemic has done to us. Hats off!
Also, am particulary amazed _and happy for you- that you managed to rebuy your wardrobe's oldie but goodie pieces-all in a size down(i sometimes would love to be able doing the same with some of my beloved clothes). It really shows you have a rocket strong and well working personal style-how great a thing this is.

Thanks so much for your contributions during this pandemic. I am so grateful to every medical professional who has had to figure out how to, in addition to doing their usual challenging jobs, protect us all. A dear friend is a dentist and took me through the challenges and expense of essentially setting up clean rooms on the fly. We have been in such great hands.

gryffin thank you for the hard work you have been doing to help keep us all safe. I am sorry for the losses you've suffered but I'm glad you've come through with your health, thoughtfulness & humor intact.

This was a fascinating post. "Answering definitively the question of 'would I buy this again?'" -- so interesting and important to ponder. You've got my wheels turning.

Wishing you a 2022 that is calm enough to allow you to enjoy your rebuilt wardrobe!

I will just add to the admiration for you and DH, making the best of a bad situation and coming out stronger. Impressive and inspirational.

As far as rebuying your wardrobe - to me it means you have the items that are exactly right for you. I'm full of admiration because that's my wardrobe goal.

Gryffin- I just wanted to say bless you and thank you to you and your husband. As a retired physician I have an inkling of how very stressful, heartwenching, and frustrustring the last almost 2 years have been.
I hope this next year will bring you rest, peace, and many moments of joy and laughter.

Lyn - thank you so much. I hope you are able to source some of your beloved pieced. Sometimes it’s meant to be. Getting the Zarita in the long length is pretty much impossible. The forces of destiny are strange but sometimes wonderful!!!
Cat - I’m sure your friend had some incredible stories. We were reduced to trawling eBay at 4x the price for masks and I still need them to source gloves. I feel like a WWII spy going to the black market. I always feel like I need a black trench, buttoned up with the collar popped and a black fedora. Crazy times for sure.
Sarah - you are incredible sweet. Many, many thanks!! IKR if you can’t or at least don’t want to live without it then that’s saying something. The caveat is if you can box up a new purchase it should go back. If OTOH you take it into protective custody and are ready to fight all comers than it stays.
Robin - thanks so much. Wishing you a wonderful start to 2022 surrounded by the best and most loved pieces in your wardrobe!!
Lynn - thanks so very much. Kudos to you for your service. I hope you look back on your practice with well deserved pride and satisfaction. There is truly nothing like a service profession even during the challenging times and I’m sure you have many stories to tell. Wishing you health, safety, peace, happiness and all good now and always! Yours in lysol and purell!!

You sound like you made amazing changes and I'm so happy they worked so well for you and your husband, Gryffin. As someone whose weight easily fluctuates a lot, I've had to develop some strategies. Do you have a tailor you can go to? A tailor can alter pieces for you, and going a size down should be an especially easy change for them to make. It's actually easier for them to size down than to size up.

Angela - Thank you. I have had blazers altered in the past, and other than hemming a sleeve, I've found the alterations very expensive and narrowing shoulders can be a disaster because they have to literally take the jacket apart. Your tailor must be incredible!! But any easy fix that is certainly the way to go. Kudos for you to making that work out. I did buy the zarita gown and will need over a foot hacked off the hem, but that is an easy fix, so I will be excited to have that done when the pandemic calms down. How is you find your incredible tailor? Was it word of mouth? Website? Most of the great ones work in fine mens stores and don't take private work in our area.

Griffin, I tried a number of tailors over the years. The best I found when I bought a dress from our local Nordstrom. They allow to bring non Nordstrom items for alterations, sometimes it costs more but still reasonable. I find that more expensive department stores have experienced tailors since they work on the pricier items.

Initially I went to a tailor close to where I live for easy alterations, but after he almost ruined a favorite blouse, I started looking elsewhere. Honestly, I just lucked out. I used Google Maps to look up tailors, chose one who lives close by a friend's house, and went to her. She turned out to be incredible. In my first meeting with her she was suggesting alterations and it was clear that she was very competent and thought a lot about how to make clothes look better. I've started taking lots of clothes to her, every week or every other week, either for a simple fix or for more extensive alterations. For example, earlier this summer I bought a pleated linen skirt that looked terrible on me. It just made me look fat. She offered to alter it into a simple A-line skirt -- since the skirt had so much fabric, it was easy for her to do so. And now I have a unique skirt that I like very much. She charges very reasonably too, which makes it possible for me to take so much work to her.

Gryffin, thank you very much for being an AWESOME healthcare hero, a disciplined yet relaxed soul, and for your ongoing positive influence on those around you. Your strength, wisdom and stamina are incredible and greatly appreciated! ROCK ON!

My condolences on the loss of your uncle, and good luck with MIL. It's all very stressful, and I empathize.

I hope you find all the right clothing replacements, and have fun in the process! Wishing you and your tribe a safe, peaceful and healthy 2022. Sam and Jo send tail wags and happy barks to Sabrina and Linus!

Irina - that’s a great idea. I have not been b&m since Covid hit. But when things really calm down I will call and see if they are still doing that.
Angela - that was an amazing stroke of luck. I went to a guy offering custom suits for relining jackets and alterations and was seriously unimpressed. Sometimes you need to be lucky. Glad you have someone great!!
Angie - Thank you so much. Wishing you, Greg, Sam and Jo a wonderful healthy, happy, safe, prosperous and drama free 2022!!! Linus and Sabrina send your pups love and licks. They wish the many squeaky toys and yummy treats in the new year!!