The Way You Make Me Feel
One thing I have been hearing about lately is how getting dressed can be a huge help to people during quarantine; not just with how they feel in general, but for their productivity, attitude, confidence, and simply for feeling a sense of normalcy.
I agree with this sentiment, as someone who has tried to get dressed each day and use my time at home as an opportunity to wear special items I normally wear sparingly. But, pandemic aside, don’t clothes always evoke a feeling, memory, or state of being? For me, clothes have always been about a transformation, or for recalling the memories I have made while wearing them.
Even though we can’t go to many public places at the moment, it’s still nice to put on the outfit I wore in the South of France and look forward to another trip there in the future. Or maybe it’s not as specific as a vacation you took or an event you attended, but simply about how wearing that go-to sundress makes you feel put together, beautiful, and confident at the same time.
In many ways, the time we are now spending at home has made us acutely aware of how our clothes make us feel and, more importantly, how much we value certain items in our closet. And that awareness makes it even more evident which items we should keep and wear, versus those we are ready to let go of. So, use this time to do a little seasonal spring cleaning and to connect with what makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
What items have sentimental value that are still in good shape or are timeless? What pieces of clothing make you feel most confident? Are you drawn to more solid colors or prints, muted tones or bright shades? This is your chance to think more deeply about your personal style DNA, what you have (and should keep) in your closet, and what you may need to add to your closet moving forward.
Which brings me to a category of items you should have in your closet I did not cover in my last blog post - to have something fun, inspirational, and maybe even unexpected in your closet. It could be anything - a bag, belt, jewelry, or clothing - that tells a story about yourself or a special experience you’ve had. Maybe you have more time now to rediscover those pieces in your closet, or can finally spend time hunting for an item that would fall into this category. But, be smart and choose something that has longevity in addition to being impactful.
I personally have both nostalgia and good feelings stashed away in my closet, and love knowing that I don’t necessarily need to leave my house to relive those experiences. I find comfort in the fact that all I need to do is step into one of my favorite places in my house to take a mini vacation. And that is something that this pandemic can never take away.
“You gotta have style. It helps you get down the stairs. It helps you get up in the morning. It’s a way of life. Without it, you’re nobody. I’m not talking about lots of clothes.”
Visiting an ancient Roman bath in Arles, France on a sunny day. Silk is always great to wear in warm weather. Every time I put this sundress on, I think of touring the City and how beautiful Provence is. I can’t wait to go back!
“To me, glamour isn’t just about gold lame and fancy things. It’s shine and confidence. It’s a certain independence that comes with experiences that aren’t always so glamorous. And sometimes when you look back, those are the moments you value the most.”
Navy is one of the most classic colors you will find. I love this leopard print silk top because its bold and fun, yet the classic blue color keeps it from being too trendy. I decided to wear this cotton button down open as more of a light jacket on top, a piece that always makes me feel put together and classy.
“Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them.”
This polka dot dress is so fun and easy to wear. A classic print like this will make you feel put together on any day. This dress reminds me of when we met up with friends in Paris last fall, one day before we knew they would be engaged! I will never forget that experience, and how exciting it felt to meet up with people you know in a totally different part of the world.
“Anyone can get dressed up and be glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing.”
Back to reality in Alexandria! My quarantine go-to’s have been a jean jacket, a sturdy pair of sunglasses, and (especially in this heat) my new 14k gold chain from She’s Unique boutique in Old Town. The gold heart locket charm has been mine since my teenage years! Real gold won’t tarnish and will withstand any kind of sweat, so it’s well worth the investment for these summer months. I started moving away from gold plated and metal jewelry, which won’t survive the heat or the hand sanitizer these days.