The “At-Home” Diaries: Dressing Up

If I didn’t wear a dress I would go mad. The chinos, the sweats and the cashmere pants are all well and good but sometimes I crave wearing a dress. A swish, the feeling of elegance and the way a dress makes me pay attention and sit up straighter. Wearing a dress, I feel like a grown-up and even if I’ve got nowhere to go, I don’t care.

One of my favourites a black midi with buttons and a swing skirt was my go-to-meetings or dress-up-for-dinner dress and at a pinch a smart lunch; it wasn’t for “at-home”. Forget that, on Tuesday I put it on, added red lipstick and wore my parka and trainers for our daily walk. Did I look over-the-top? Most likely. Do I care? Not one little bit. I felt enlightened and free dressing up without rhyme or reason. My hair wasn’t perfect – it’s too long and needs a professional to look any good – so it was scrunched up in my weird little way. That didn’t bother me either. I had a new appreciation for my lovely dress and the idea of wearing and using everything we have, whenever we feel like it.

Today I am going to dress up again.

I have stretched my way through a yoga session – not my best attempt – but I made it – and once I finish chatting here I am putting on another dress, with lipstick and will walk the streets again looking like I’m going out to party. Try it at home or out and about if you can; I promise you will feel fabulous for the effort. And add that red, coral or rose lipstick you love because it can make all the difference.

These small wins are irrelevant against the diabolical news that floods our brains each day but feeling better for moments is important. Staying strong, resilient and nurturing us in whatever shape or form is vitally important right now. We cannot be serious 100% of the time and it is in no way sustainable. We will cry but we mustn’t deny the delight of a smile and the diversion of laughter.

And dressing up every now and then does help.

The two I am wearing are familiar shapes. They are lengths to love and styles to flatter most body types. Cut in at the waist, not too voluminous and a mid-calf length is a dress design I choose often; it works in many incarnations. Like now.

Dress up today and let me know? xv