Life&Style Writer Ameek Gilhotra argues that the lockdown shouldn’t stop us from exploring fashion and makeup from home
Lights, camera, action. Are you stretched out on your sofa, sinking into it because it’s too soft, with one sock falling off and the other trapped in between the cushions? Or are you wearing a stunning and strapless silk dress with matching make-up, or an immaculate suit? Normally, we would ask questions such as what the occasion is, what time it is, what mood you are in, who you might run into. But during this lockdown period, with day and night dissolving seamlessly into each other, things are different.
The outbreak of coronavirus has brought a seemingly never-ending obstruction to our social lives, with no more dressing-up for work, or nights out. However, even during the enforced lockdown, news is circulating that people in Australia are dressing-up to take their bins out (for the bins go out more than we do these days). From doctoral robes and Superman underclothes to adopting a dinosaur attire, no effort has been spared. These are some of the ways that people are coping with mandatory closures, and it is a creative way to spark positivity.
News is circulating that people in Australia are dressing-up to take their bins out
While social distancing has become a problem for many, ‘social closure,’ as in being trapped with unwanted company (like that terrible cousin who came before lockdown and never got the chance to leave), has to be tolerated. Treating this as a heavily extended Halloween where holiday practices are the norm, dressing-up is giving people a chance to escape. Some may consider this idea to be too far-fetched, and slightly laborious. However, we certainly have enough time for it, and some Australians are daring to wear.
However, if costumes are not for you, I am (mostly) sure that clothes are. These days, it might be tempting to spend days and nights in loungewear. While it might be argued that at least clothes should be providing us the comfort that the outbreak of coronavirus cannot provide, dressing-up for work was never that bad as we had an audience. When we think about this, could we take some advice from the over-used and worn out quote that you ‘dress-up for yourself and not for anyone else’?
The chance to dress-up is encouraging a routine, if nothing else
In many ways, we are affected by what society thinks about us, and we try to be our best to portray ourselves in a certain way around certain groups of people. That said, people continue to wear the clothes that make them feel ‘special,’ or ‘beautiful,’ or ‘formal’ because it makes them feel good, confident and ready to face the world. It is really not the fault of our clothes that the world has been reduced to the four walls of our home.
In fact, treating this world as the oyster it now definitely is, people are having formal evenings and doing their everyday make-up. Such activities are blending the dimensions of time, differentiating day and night, and thus eradicating a monotonous lifestyle. The chance to dress-up is encouraging a routine, if nothing else. When we feel that the day has no purpose, we can start with an action that opposes this thought, and it might not be so depressing or pathetic if you decide to give it a chance, just for yourself.
Some make-up trends or fashion fads that might be considered over the top can now be explored in the comfort of your own home
There must be that one dress you always wanted to wear but never could, or you could grab your brothers’ or sisters’ clothes (with their permission, of course) and give yourself a makeover each day. Similarly, some make-up trends or fashion fads that might be considered over the top can now be explored in the comfort of your own home. If we approach this positively, we might have chance to explore what suits us best, or try a new hairstyle for a new day.
I suppose that the most beautiful part of this is that you are at your own disposition to get rid of a new dress, or save it for the first moment that the lockdown ends. Similarly, it is up to uou whether to try a new make-up trend each hour or keep your skin natural. While many are approaching such dress-ups as a way to forget how social life is being disrupted, it is valid too, to take this time to relax and be at peace. So, no matter what you choose to do, being comfortable with yourself in such uncomfortable days, whether that is in a gown, pyjamas or lingerie, is the most important.
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