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.