Has Living Through Coronavirus Affected Your Style?
And I don’t just mean, did you only wear leggings or pajamas during lockdown? I mean, as you start interacting with the world again – do you feel the same about your clothing and style as you did before? Are you noticing any changes?
This (surreal) time felt almost like a palette cleanser for me. A little “dressing vacation.” Now, re-entering the world of “normal” dressing feels like a fresh start. I realize that all parts of the country (and world) are in different phases of That Coronavirus Life right now, but here in NY just about everything has re-opened – still with masking and distancing guidelines – and they are all still requiring clothing. Which is a bummer, but such is life.
Given a fresh start, do you feel differently about how you would like to present yourself to the world? I kind of do. It’s like that “living every moment” feeling right after surviving some life-threatening event. While I think I’ll always return to a neutral palette of mostly solids (and stripes), I’m feeling a bit of a pull right now to some more color, patterns, and different shapes.
The lure of the surreal. We lived through it…maybe we should continue to embrace it!
So I’m looking to add a couple new items to my wardrobe for fall: something whimsical, bright-colored, patterned, fun. I feel like the Osei-Duro dress was a step in that direction. Here are some more of the types of things I’m looking at:
I keep visualizing this with a hot pink twinset.
A what??
Right?? Fun! And both those pieces could go with many other things, as well!
I think both of those tops would look great with this chartreuse cardigan.
I love pink with chartreuse so even though the blouse on the left (below) has a little yellow in it, chartreuse is a very yellow-toned green, so it might work. It’s impossibly to tell til you get the items in front of you – the photography lighting affects colors, monitors are all calibrated differently…but it looks to me like it could work. And if you look closely at the top on the right, the little viney foliage bits are that sort of lavender-grey-blue and I LOVE that color with this yellowy green. Just think mid-spring…the maple buds are just popping that exact shade of green, and when there’s a stormy grey-blue sky behind it…it’s a dream!
And I’m not disregarding the sort of muted salmony-brick tone in the shirt…but while that’s not an obvious partner with chartreuse, a fancy designer somewhere determined that it was good with that lavender-grey-blue foliage in the print, and if that is good with the chartreuse and the muted salmony-brick, then ifso-facto, the CH and the MSB will be good together, too. And that is my highly scientific way of deciding if colors will play nicely together. It’s not always right, but…it’s usually a pretty reliable method.
If A goes with B and B goes with C, then A should also go with C. Just call me Alfred.
I also like this peachy-pink cardigan with at least the top on the left, not so sure about the one on the right. Might be too much solid peachy pinky muted salmony bricky ditzy floral you get the idea.
Weird Jungle Cat Print Blouse This comes in a matching skirt as well, be still my heart.
And guess what??
And what do you think of this??
It’s a little hard to tell on the computer, but I think I like it!
Peachy Floral Dress This print also comes in a skirt.
And oh, hey…
You know what’s coming next, don’t’cha??
Let me offer a caveat for the peachy-pink cardigan. I think this color, especially combined with this sort of nubby texture knit, can skew a little Golden Girls-esque. But I think layering it over fresh, modern prints can take 30+ years off its life. I think the smoother knit of the chartreuse cardigan on the right is just a more modern looking fabric. I would feel more confident if the color on the left came in the fabric on the right. As it is now, I would reserve opinion til I saw it in person.
And…cuz I’m me and old habits die hard….a neutral blouse to go over skirts and dresses.
So, nothing too crazy, but adding a few more colors to my autumn palette and a few more prints to mix and match could be fun!
What do you think? Think you’ll try something new this fall after surviving coronavirus??
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you buy something as a result of clicking that link, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links.
eva @ StyleMyThrift.com
this covid thing has actually upped my styling game! i guess because the first couple months were long and mundane, and now i want to liven things up a bit around here! even when I wash the floors!
xo eva
bettyewp
Ugh, the FLOORS! I am the WORST at floors! In fact, for my rapidly approaching sixtieth birthday, I thought of treating myself to a day of housecleaning…and REALLY what I want done is my bathroom and kitchen FLOORS, cuz I just CANNOT.
HAVE you livened things up?
Laurie E
This has been a difficult year. Our family has experienced two close family deaths unrelated to Covid.
But Covid has changed hospital protacols, and limited who could visit and say their goodbyes.
Visual relief to all the sadness is appreciated.
The fresh happy prints you have picked out and the pretty sweaters bring a smile to my face. It reminds me of Spring, renewal and joy.
bettyewp
Oh, Laurie, I’m so sorry to hear of your sad losses 🙁 I have friends and coworkers who lost people during this time and the loss combined with the agony and frustration of not being able to visit, spend last moments with, say goodbyes, be close to other family members…my heart broke for them…and for you. I hope you can find some peace through this time.
xoxo Bettye
Téa
Yes, this “time” has spurred me on to wear my beautiful things. I have gotten rid of a lot of “meh” pieces and am now wearing only things I truly, really like! Except on wicked hot days, then I just wear a pretty loose fitting linen dress that I call my “Covid Caftan”…I feel chic when I wear it. I scrolled back and read 2 months worth of your blog…I love the way you write and express yourself and your wit. Hang in there.
bettyewp
Yes! I keep pulling things out of the closet to hang on The Selling Rack cuz I’m like “I don’t like you anymore, I don’t like YOU anymore, I REALLY don’t like YOU anymore!” I’m trying to not be wasteful, BUT since I’m planning to SELL most of the things I’m pulling, I’m really just passing them along to someone else who will continue their life and longevity.
COVID CAFTAN!!! I LOVE IT! Last year I was hot for a caftan…and I’ve continued looking this year but I just have not found the right thing yet. But yeah, this spring/early summer, that NOW is when I would REALLY be wearing a caftan!
Thanks for visiting again, Tea! Don’t be a stranger!
jodie filogomo
I love all the colors and prints you’re looking at Bettye!!
That leopard skirt is oh la la!!
OXOX
Jodie
bettyewp
Now, what will I actually BUY?? My mind might be a little ahead of my pocketbook 🙂
Tina von Tinaspinkfriday
Oh yes I love this leo skirt and this blouse with safari print. and the pink twinset! 😉
I loose weight this corona time and I had to loose more weight, so I don’t look for new clothes this time. Maybe new bags…..;)
Stay safe and healthy my friend! XO tina
bettyewp
I managed to gain a couple pounds during coronavirus. Working from home and having early breakfast and later breakfast and lunches 1 and 2 will do that!
You have SUCH a great purse collection!
Iris
Wow, you’ve got a lot of choices there. Love the leopard and the bright colors. I’ve actually worn my maxi skirts a LOT since being inside with COVID. Since I’m sitting more than usual, they’re the most comfortable. Also more loose fitting palazzo pants. Tops that I would normally save for leaving the house. So, yeah, now that I think about it, my wearing wardrobe has definitely changed.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Marceline Miller
“they’re still requiring clothes” hahahaha!!
So happy that twinsets are back in style – I’ve always loved them
bettyewp
Right?? I was a twinset holdout for a lonnnggg time (same with shoulder pads). I probably still have a set or two in a tub here somewhere…but at a much smaller size than I currently wear.
Donna W
I totally get this – I’ve cleaned out and cleaned up too and love the choices you suggest here, Bettye!!
Such a happy, uplifting post!
Donna 🧚🏻♀️❤️🐝
https://donnadoesdresses.com