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Wardrobe consquences of semi-lockdown continuing

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

My apologies if this topic feels like beating a dead horse, but I'm still struggling with it. I believe that a lot of our members in NZ/Aus/Asia, Europe, and maybe Canada are mostly back to normal with their daily schedules. A lot of us in the US are not and won't be for a long time. I am going to my retail job 3-4 times a week (I wear gear pants (or jeans when it's cooler), sneakers, and a uniform tee) and other than that I'm at home except for a weekly grocery run and maybe one more errand. This month I'm starting a 1-year career change program in healthcare at a local college, but classes will be mostly online with only a few lab sessions on campus in small groups, masked etc.

I'm doing some fall cleaning and evaluating everything in my current space (everything, not just clothes) as to whether it needs to be there, is serving a purpose, or could be packed away or donated. *So many* of my current clothes - all of which fit well, I like, and would wear in ordinary times - have not been worn for months and likely won't be worn for many more. Even if I allow for the effects of the very hot weather in my new climate and the fact that I had more clothes than I needed even pre-covid, the ratio seems way off. I've also got a lot of jewelry, accessories, and bags that aren't being used.

Have other people decided to downsize, or just pack things away for now, or figure out a way to wear more things, or ___? (I've tried to wear as much as I can at home, but there are limits to what is practical.) Leaving aside the emotional charge of the pandemic (if one can), is it just an issue of Angie's maxim to shop/dress for your real life, not your fantasy life? The uncertainty of what six months or a year from now will look like makes it impossible to plan with certainty. I'd love to know what others are doing and why.

General

32 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

The Cat

Veteran

Wow, fall cleaning already?

Anonymous

Most of my clothes aren't being worn right now either, but I'm not going to pass them on. I was happy with them BC19 and will enjoy them again in the future (when they make me go back to the office and/or they fit again)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Laura, this post really speaks to me. I can hear your confusion and frustration. Honestly, this is such a difficult time.

I'm in Canada, where things vary by region. Where I live, we are not exactly "back to normal," but we are certainly moving about with more freedom than people are in some other places. (And for that, I am grateful.) Even so, for now, in my province, was are requested to keep our bubbles as small as possible, socialize outdoors, mask up indoors, use caution indoors or if we live with vulnerable people, etc. This means I rarely socialize with others or go out in public for more than a grocery run.

Since I worked mostly from home even before the pandemic, you might imagine that little has changed for me in terms of wardrobe needs. You'd be wrong.

First, we moved to a suburban location just as restrictions began. Here, I'm dressing even more casually for everyday than I used to do. It's just more practical in a situation where I might go for a hike on a trail (vs. walk on pavement), spend an hour in the garden at some point during the day, hop on my bike...

Second, I'm not going out to teach, meet friends, give presentations, etc. This is taught me how much of my wardrobe was for "public facing" events like that. (Ahem -- a lot of it!) Right now, I'm not using a lot of my footwear, not wearing my beloved jackets, not using many bags. And so on.

For now, I'm keeping most things. I'm fortunate to have enough storage and I simply switch out the closet seasonally. At the end of the year, I may re-evaluate.

I'm also behaving as if I have just retired. This year, I won't be buying what for me amounted to "business" clothing -- jackets, certain types of footwear, things I would not wear in the house and would not wear on a hike or in the garden, in other words.

And such shopping as I do will be focused on basics and on these capsules where I do have some holes. I've already purchased hiking shorts and hoodie and sandals. I also added a nylon bag, which is easy to carry on my hikes. I will add a new lightweight practical coat. I may add a cardigan vs. a jacket for winter indoors. That sort of thing. I'm just shifting the emphasis a bit and reducing expenditures in this area.

Having said that -- I'm still wearing and enjoying my summer skirts and dresses. I just wear them with sneakers or casual sandals.

I'm still wearing attractive knit tops with some polish. (I also wear tees but usually paired with a skirt).

I'm still wearing scarves when it is cooler.

And so on.

The Cat

Veteran

I am gradually getting rid of items I no longer want to wear because of the colour, fit, design, etc. , not really because of the corona pandemic.

Admittedly, because of the way the pandemic has influenced my lifestyle, there are some items that I now use much less than before (i.e. several kinds of footwear; hats; outerwear; bracelets; bags; belts ...) However, I will keep all the ones I love, as I am sure the situation WILL change for the better, sooner or later.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Laura, you are unfortunately right that the US is far, far away from any level of normal life at this point. It's causing a major lifestyle shift for most, which affects what we wear daily, and in future.

My advice would be to assess what you've been wearing for the last 5 months, and duplicate the holes and laundry bottlenecks ACROSS the seasons.

As for the items you aren't wearing in pandemic mode - don't be too hasty to pass them on unless it's uncomfortable, worn, ill-fitting, or you just don't like it anymore.

Everyone is feeling like you in some small or large way, so please find solace in that. Although I continue to wear my regular clothes/outfits like I usually do - (and my bags are more important than ever because I am always on foot and need my stuff with me ALL the time because of no driving and living in the city) - I ONLY wear sneakers now. My other shoes are gathering dust. But I am keeping all of them.

JAileen

Veteran

My real life has changed a lot. I used to be quite busy - volunteering at the thrift store, going to our local theaters and philharmonic, meeting up with friends, and traveling. I don’t do any of that, of course. This morning we had a zoom meeting of our non profit and the staffing volunteer said she doesn’t want to coerce anyone into volunteering, like she used to. My husband is older than me so I don’t want to put him at risk in any way. So even though the shop has opened up, I’m not planning on working there until this is over.

On the other hand, I still need to wear clothes. I think I’ve been buying clothes for my new normal - shorts/skorts, tees, sweatshirts. It’s all pretty glamorous. I haven’t chucked out a lot of my wardrobe because I think we’ll return to our old lives - sort of - next year. Hopefully.

rachylou

Veteran

It’s really a dilemma. I waver between taking the opportunity to do some clearing out or hoarding everything in case of grid collapse...

unfrumped

Veteran

I so hear you. Most of my clothes were for work or some version of cross- over smart casual.
I agree with Suz and Angie.

Here is a bit more detail about what I have done.

Early on I took most of my not- able-to wear things out of my main closet and instead hung up “ loungewear “ items/ capsules and very casual items. I also set up my dresser drawers for yard work/ hiking items and small exercise capsule. I edited these for fit while doing.

After a couple months I got energy to try on some workwear and similar items and edit for fit and “ love”. As in my post on pencil skirts. I am keeping several pants that are too snug now but might not be next year- not worrying.

Then I had my funeral outfit dream/ vision and let myself focus on being sure I had several “ serious” options in different seasonal wear, that fit right now and that I liked. I actually bought a few inexpensive dark neutral layering- option tops that looked fresher , as my older fallbacks are showing wear, and that can go either somber or wear with casual bottoms and brighter, lighter other items.

Then I noticed that if too many of my “ former “ clothes are kept out of sight, I tend to want to add similar items, so I’m re- introducing some of those into regular closet to do some ongoing tryons and trial outings to do a little “ this, or that?” and through that I edited a little more.
I went through shoes and edited out uncomfortable ones but am keeping all that fit, and not worrying about whether I will wear them. “Comfortable “ has 2 tiers- what I would/could wear at home all day, or on a hike, or take on a trip/ sightseeing, and what I would not pick for that but are comfortable enough to wear for several hours of errands, or hours at an indoor event like a wedding ( flats, loafers, non- hiking boots). Any ones that feel like “sitting shoes” or 2 hour shoes had to go.
Just went through jewelry and edited out things that just no longer seem like ME under any circumstances, but not based on lack of occasion right now. Actually did surgery on some to re- purpose for the not- so-new layering approach.
I find that if I try things on more, I can begin to see past the sunk costs or wannabe and notice whether it really fits, is the color really what I thought, does it still feel that way after a few hours. I am not as good at a rapid Marie Kondo joy-sort.

MsMaven

Veteran

Yes, we're going slow this last six months with no end in sight. Yesterday for my second big outing (first was to dentist) we went to Stanford Mall yesterday. It wasn't anything like a normal August weekend--we actually got a close parking spot. I was surprised by how many people were there, and how many stores were open. I expected the big dept stores would be open, but not so many of the small ones.

Stanford is a large, spread out, outdoor mall. We walked around a couple of times and looked at the flower beds. The dahlias are huge and gorgeous this year. Only went into one store, Macy's, to use the restroom before we moved on.

I try to rotate through my tops and bottoms, but I'm not wearing blazers at home. Or dresses and seldom skirts because I have cats and skirted laps don't work with kitty claws. I'm not using more than one bag because I mainly go out to take walks in the neighborhood.

Our continuing studies classes will be only online and I do miss being in the classroom. We don't go out to dinner. So, no need for new clothes. I will need a few more cozy comfy things for later this year.

Anonymous

IKR Rachy! Never lived through a dystopia before!

Sal

Veteran

Oh Laura (and all those in the US or still amidst the pandemic chaos) it must be so hard.

I don't have answers but I would not edit out too much....there will be opportunities for smarter clothing again in the future and chances to wear favourite pieces. But it might be a chance to narrow things down a little because as you come out your tastes might have changed and you might want a reason to celebrate.

I know I have a few pieces that I tolerate but do not love - and if they were gone I would not miss them. Pants that have lost a bit of shape, a top that is tricky to wear.

Runcarla

Veteran

Though we are posting encouraging numbers (100 or less new cases per day) the province of Ontario is taking a cautious approach. The big test is the upcoming (modified) opening of schools in 4 weeks. Stay at home as much as possible, physical distancing and masks if you go out and about is recommended. Hand washing and sanitizer mandatory. Reduced occupancy (stores, restaurants, etc.)

The Canadian Thanksgiving (October) is closet review time for me. I suspect the edit will be modest, since I’ve done a lot of work to get it in shape since I retired 2 years ago. Even if I do an edit, the agencies that accept donations aren’t collecting atm.

The things I’m not wearing are some of my dressier footwear (3 pair) and my dressy capsule - and the cool weather items, natch. IF I did not have those (mostly classic) clothing items in my closet, or those 3 pair of shoes - what would I do if/when an occasion arises? If the answer is to shop for an (identical/similar) replacement - then the item deserves to stay.

The main impact of the pandemic on my outfits and closet is that sneakers are getting much more wear (and tear) than usual due to day-to-day comfort, plus regular long walks becoming the primary recreational option.

FWIW - I haven’t been ‘downsizing’, but ‘upgrading’. Taking a long view, our home needs to be a haven, so I’ve been getting all the piddly annoyances fixed. The plumber and electrician have been in and now the faucets aren’t stiff (new cylinders) and I have under cabinet lighting in the kitchen. A bed linen and bath towel edit is my current project.

DonnaF

Veteran

I need to move the jeans and skirts that have grown too tight to another closet. . .I have stopped my upward trajectory to the Covid 15, but not yet down to my pre-covid weight.

What I wear at home hasn't changed too much except that a pixie missing six haircuts fights with my earrings. And earrings don't work with a mask! I will not get rid of any earrings at this point, as I still have fantasies of eventually getting a haircut.

My hair is down my neck, so I am much warmer and can now wear non-collared necklines without getting cold. My scratchy scarf. Ugh!!! But really, I used to keep buying those more open necklines and then not wear them because I would get cold.

I have hoarding tendencies, so of course I have a hard time getting rid of anything. . .

kkards

Veteran

I’ve got a box of stuff to give away, but I’m adding slowly. So for example, with tee shirts, I’ve i put it on, and then decide not to wear it, i give it one more try, and then if the 2nd time i pass on it, then it goes into the give away pile, But things like blazers which are getting no wear, are not going into the give away pile, because I’m not in the right place to make those decisions.
and i miss my shoes! Really i miss them.

Anonymous

Maybe separate the unworn items by warm weather and cold weather and then store them separately. You won't be wearing the warm weather things anyway so you can wait until spring to decide and you might find some of the cold weather things surprisingly wearable.

And then look at what you're actually wearing fill any gaps. Turn up the volume a little by adding an unusual version of something practical.

Mask wearing has made me realize how much my outfits rely on my face to complete them. I've been trying to be more expressive with my clothing by wearing more color and more creative combinations of comfortable styles to compensate.

Windchime

Veteran

Laura, I too sympathize with your frustration and uncertainty. I’ve been back to working at my place of employment for about a month, but I only go there 2/3rds as much as previously. The rest of the time I’m still working from home. I used to do a lot of private teaching and play for lots of weddings besides my salaried work; almost all of that came to a screeching halt in mid March. Not to mention that none of my choirs will be meeting for at least a year and possibly two.

I’m hopeful that there will be a return to somewhat more normal living in a year or two, so I’m not getting rid of anything that I will want when that happens. In the meantime, I’m making only minimal additions to my professional wardrobe and intentionally increasing casual items, because I expect to be dressing casually more than twice as often as I’ll need to dress professionally.

By the way, good for you for starting a healthcare program! That is a very constructive use of this uncertain, surreal time.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I am really appreciating everyone's thoughts so far, and hearing your approaches. It does help to know that I'm not alone in this. Obviously I know that clothes aren't as important as lives and lost jobs, etc., but it's one of the ways I've always used to express myself and now that the option is mostly gone I'm struggling.

I am currently living in a *very* small space, but I have access to a self-storage unit for anything I don't have room for. So that makes things trickier as there is a limit to what I can pack away and keep. I realized as I was going through things today that I didn't do a very good of swapping out things for warmer weather this year, unsurprisingly since that's when the lockdown was in full effect. I made a quick run to my storage unit for warm-weather clothes in May-ish.

I like the idea of focusing on what I am using and need and working to optimize and upgrade it as necessary, and placing it front and center. I feel like there's got to be a way for me to rotate through all my smart casual items on days I can get away with them - a list and a random number generator?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Laura we are all going through an unprecedented in our lifetime experience and you are far from alone in feeling disoriented. I do think it is important to take the long view - even if it takes a year or two for an effective vaccine/treatment options/herd immunity - there is most likely a non-pandemic future to consider. I would not throw out things you are not using right now, although I would not focus on buying more. More or less what has been said above.
Rachy, I have two months worth of coffee beans. My first thought was to start hoarding essentials.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I haven’t gotten rid of anything I expect to wear when I go back to previous activities.
And, actually, I am wearing the clothing that in ordinary times would have been first on the chopping block. Things I love but definitely not fashionable, and sleeveless items.
I’ve lost some weight so a top I wasn’t careful enough about the fit of is now beyond fixing so it is in the to go pile. That’s the type of item I’m parting with.

Lucy

Veteran

Oh, it's tough!
I am in Australia, and in a state that has not had more than 2 cases of community transmission in the last month. The borders are closed, which is hard as my family is all in another state. So on one hand, things are a little bit normal - masks are still rare, and we can go out for a coffee or a meal (though I tend to go to outside venues) - but on the other hand, it is still very abnormal, as the virus has flared in other states, parts of Oz are back in hard lockdown and other parts heading that way, and we are all hoping the borders hold. Work has not returned to normal for many people. I am going in 2 days per week, but the rest is work from home. And everyone is still very edgy.
So even here - where we are almost at best case scenario - things are strange.
I've never shopped less in my adult life. No real desire. I guess part of the fun of new clothes is that they are a talking point - and they are much less of a talking point on zoom! I bought a jacket to walk the dog, lol.
But I am not throwing away any of my beloved work dresses or jackets, because I am hopeful that by this time next year, we will reenter the world again! There's a huge part of me that thinks now is not the time to toss things away, and I hold a spark that I will get to wear my favourites again, albeit modified perhaps, especially shoes.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I am like Lucy. There are very few restrictions here but everyone is still on edge. We’ve had an outbreak in our neighbouring state, which is back in lockdown. But even before that the advice here was similar to what Suz mentions for Canada - maintain distance and hygiene, avoid gatherings if possible. I haven’t had dinner or an indoor gathering with anyone outside my household other than my mum since February. All of my friends have elderly parents so we are all very careful. We have occasionally met up outdoors (with distance). Plus I continue to work from home. So it’s a pretty restricted life for my wardrobe.
I’m not rushing to get rid of anything yet. Partly because I think editing would stress me now and I don’t need that. But I am trying to find ways to wear some of my dressier items in casual ways. Wearing my nice jackets walking the dog. Wearing nice clothes to see my mum - she likes it!

ChrisM

Veteran

I love Runcarla’s approach - making home a sanctuary! That’s what I will work towards.

Working from home full-time + and it’s frustrating and discouraging to not have friends and family and travel to break up the monotony. No choir rehearsals, concerts - the off-work stuff I enjoy is kaput.

With high summer here in the US Midwest, my summer gear is on high rotation and I’m becoming weary of it.

I risk pitching too much stuff because I’m seeing a different version of the new normal - a lot more WFH and middle aged friends being ultra-cautious going forward. My need for professional everyday wardrobe appears to be dwindling.

No answers or suggestions here - just commiserating - and grateful to learn that I’m not crazy.

Column

Veteran

Laura: Like everyone else, “I so feel ya!” I think of clothing the way I think of everything else these days: temporary, in-transition, to-be-decided later.

I am very careful about what I share online, so I am grateful for this forum`s acceptance of what participation I am willing to make. I have mentioned more than once that we have zoned the house to accommodate DH`s daily exposure—just common sense regardless of what guidelines are offered. I have moved my entire “toilet” (in the French sense) to another space, which has forced me to edit things I had packed away in the recesses of my mind: bath and linen closets, my swim and nightwear capsules. Glad those are done. I needed to open up cupboards and drawers. I purged old synthetic fiber robes and just bought a natural fiber one for my post-menopausal years (even though I`ve been here for a decade, LOL). Looking for indoor shoes, or maybe slipper-shoes like Mahabis, for my new WFH lifestyle. So I have made investments for the new normal, but very small ones to get me over the hump for now.</p> <p>I still appreciate beautiful fashion from Angie and the rest of you. I`m content to dream for now, delaying gratification by wearing older things I don`t care if I ruin. For once, “saving” instead of wearing makes sense—at least for me. As Angie has noted many times, this forum is made up of incredibly smart, well-read, well-informed, well-educated individuals—and so many of you in the sciences. I, too, have a terminal degree in my field. I know this is not a political forum, so I will only say that I am holding on `til November, as the States don`t see hope of change currently. I wish we had the terminology of “bubbles” or the common advice to socialize outside at a distance and be careful with the high-risk folks (either by age or infection risk, like DH) indoors. Unfortunately, not so—or as a ray of hope, not so yet. Which takes me back to my beginning of thinking of now as temporary, in-flux, tbd later.

nemosmom

Veteran

I hear your frustration and am right there with you! I am also in the US, in a 'hotspot', and it's really scary and unsettling to say the least.

When all of this started, I was already working from home, so that part did not change for me. What HAS changed is that I don't leave home much anymore. Now, I spend long stretches of time at a computer, whereas before I could pop out to work from Starbucks or the library when I needed a change of scenery. So, I rarely wear my OITW clothes - shoes, bags, jackets (well, it's summer here, so jackets are out anyway).

In the last few months I have spent time reassessing essentials, reviewing loungewear, dividing and re-organizing my closet (yes, again), and putting things I wear most front and center. The pieces I love, that still fit, that I have absolutely zero reason to wear, have been removed from my "daily view" and stored under my bed - the emotional weight of seeing those pieces I can't wear right now was really depressing. I have been experimenting more with new-to-me styling, like wearing a scarf as a belt, and layering jewelry.

You definitely are not alone!

Christina F.

Veteran

I feel you, too, about being stymied right now... My situation is extra complicated. I am planning to move, hopefully within two months but the timeline is currently unclear due to red tape reasons--we hope at least to make an offer soon so we can start to plan based on what our future home looks like. FYI, we will have probably almost triple the current space we have.

I want to purge some stuff before I go, rather than move it all and then purge, but it's hard when I don't know yet what my space will be, or what life will look like in 2021. For 2020, pretty sure I am working at home for the duration. I will also have climate control throughout my home for the first time, which will change my needs. Our current apartment is too hot all year but for like two months.

I think my new home will have more space for a holding zone for dressier items, so I don't want to purge all of them. But I kind of wish I could make them disappear until then. (We have a basement storage unit, so while in theory I'd like more temporary storage offsite, it's not worth getting right now as it was add logistical issues when we do move. The basement unit is full.)

I do wear dressier summer items when I work from home, but my style is skewing "boho nightgown dress" currently, more so than when I work from the office

We are all doing the best we can amidst massive uncertainty. It may take time to figure all this out.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Reading all these replys really brings it home how much everyone is coping with and is quite sobering.Although we are not in the situation that you are in here in Wales ,life is not normal and won’t be for the foreseeable future.On the clothes front I wouldn’t rush to get rid of anything at the moment I know it’s tempting and organising ones wardrobe is a way of exercising control in a situation where we have very little but things will not always be like this no matter how bleak it seems at the moment.
can I suggest pack away all your “going out”stuff and major on things that you can wear at home.Prehaps experiment with different ways to wear them and maybe ,if you can face internet shopping ,add something to pulll every thing together.For example l am contemplating a nice pair of flats to wear exclusively indoors rather than living in slippers all the time!Hang in there Laura.

anchie

Veteran

Don’t edit anything that you haven’t worn just because you didn’t have occasion, but only if you are truly over something.
I have been wearing all my usual clothes except blazers, and shoes are limited to only sneakers or flat sandals. I can’t imagine wearing pumps ever again but will not edit them just yet. My bag needs have also changed, I used to be satchel girl but I am switching to small crossbody bags with only essentials items, it is easier for my back. I am planning some new sneakers/crossbody complements.

Anonymous

I feel exactly the same way you do. Everything feels extraneous at the moment.

I like to keep my "working" closet available to me and pack away everything that is not being worn. I packed away all of my "office work" bottoms, keeping only those bottoms in my working closet that I am wearing. This has resulted in four bottoms in my working closet. Somehow this feels exactly right.

I took a different approach to tops because of all the time I am spending on Webex, Teams, and Zoom. I maintained my "office work" tops in my working closet.

But here is the thing. I am finding that I mostly wear a Gap tee shirt ... even when going online for meetings. I have not packed away my "office work" tops, but I pushed them off the side of the closet so I don't have to look at them. I seem to wear the same tee shirts on repeat.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm glad to see so many people share these feelings. Fashion has never felt less important to me than it does now. I'm wearing a tee and shorts even for a Zoom meeting I just wrapped up (HOA board meeting), and I didn't even put on a scrap of makeup first. It seems everything has shifted.

I have a lot of nice clothes that are going unworn. The combination of summer heat and humidity (101 "real feel" here today) and staying home all the time, and even being masked and kind of incognito when I go out (because it's only brief shopping trips for necessities), all lends itself to "slacking" on my appearance. And I am not a person who normally does that. I think a bit of depression is also not helping me to care much about whether I'm wearing my "good sneakers" or my roots are showing.

I have glanced at my closet, considering an edit, but the activity just doesn't inspire me at the moment. I like a lot of what is in my wardrobe, i just don't have occasion to wear it now. I'm not inclined to get rid of a lot, because I think when life opens back up more, my shopping habits will have changed for good. I don't know what i will be in the mood to wear, and I don't want to regret pitching a bunch of things that fit and that I like, because following trends has never meant less to me than it does right now. My priorities have shifted -- shopping for clothes feels more frivolous than ever (unless it's a truly useful, practical item -- the only thing I ordered from NAS is a pair of sneakers and a pair of sporty flip-flops, both of which are for camping and for wear around the house).

I've considered moving a bunch of stuff to my holding zone, but even that feels like too much bother at the moment. I know where everything is, and I've developed this kind of tunnel vision where I only see the stuff in my closet that is useful right now.

Like others, I have spent what would otherwise probably be clothing budget on things for our home, and for our new camper. We hope to hit the road in September for a month or more, so my hiking and camping gear will continue to be worn and appreciated. Life is certainly different this year than many of us expected!

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