Ok But How Do I Get Dressed Now?

I am now officially fully vaxxed, waxed (not really) and ready to party. I’m filled with the nervous excitement of a young Amish person the night before Rumspringa. Except I’m not excited to ride in a car, use electricity, or sleep in a bed without a bundling board, I’m talking about getting dressed up. I really shouldn’t even say “dressed up”, just dressed in general. For the past year plus I have been going to work and coming home (as I’ve talked about before, my job doesn’t really jive with wearing fun clothes), and like any good Irish Catholic I’ve hit up a few funerals and wakes, but that’s about it. I’m worried I’ve forgotten how to get dressed.

Ok yes I remember the physical steps of dressing; how to button a button, the belt goes under the belt loops, the tag goes in the back of the shirt, shirt goes over bra (or does it), but situational appropriateness? What’s that?

I’m heading down the Cape this weekend with a few friends and of course there’s a group text about what to pack and wear. The general consensus was jeans for dinner Saturday night, but I had been planning on an off the shoulder sequin dress. Are sequins too much? Will I look crazy? Am I cheugy? Is this an existential crisis?

I did not survive a pandemic just to have a breakdown over what I should wear where. The entire landscape of our existence has radially changed over the past 14-ish months and I think we are entering a new realm of personal style! A time you can wear whatever you want (within reason), wherever you want. A time minimalism and maximalism, athleisure and living room disco, can sit side by side at either the chicest of eateries or plopped on the sidewalk having an ice coffee.

Going forward I will be wearing the clothes I missed most over the last year, and they can skew a little EXTRA. So if next time you see me I’m wearing a turquoise lobster print matching shirt and shorts set, one of my many caftans or perhaps even a fascinator just be cool, and maybe also wear whatever makes you happiest. It’s been a long year and we deserve it.