We won’t be working from home forever, so the loungewear, the shorts and slippers will have to go and we will have to start thinking about the spring/summer wardrobe…how exciting!!
So Boris Johnson has announced that the end is in sight, albeit contingent upon several factors. And my Twitter, FB, IG and the WhatsApp groups have been blowing up with memes and humour to varying degrees of funny. Now whilst many people are excited at the prospect of seeing friends again, socialising, partying, travelling, pub hangouts – there are two things on my mind. One – my hair. And two – my spring wardrobe. Whilst my hair doesn’t look tragic – but without my “special wash and blow dry”, it lacks it’s usual head turning bounce, so when I caught wind of the Apple News headline “When hairdressers will open, the roadmap of lockdown explained” within seconds I had called my hairdresser and requested a couple of appts for a colour and also a wash and blow dry. The fact that I haven’t yet decided if I want to change my hair colour this summer is besides the point. I feel like one of those toilet paper hoarders of lockdown 1.0, hoarding hair appts, but hey, my hair, my style, my look is important, and unlike toilet paper, I cannot get my hair done anywhere, by anyone. I am a one woman kinda girl. One salon. One stylist. As a marketer I place huge importance on presentation – and that presentation starts with me. As for the second thing on my mind – that came to the forefront with yesterday’s announcement (but in all honesty, I have been giving this some thought since the snow began to thaw two weeks ago) was I need to sort out my spring wardrobe, no way will I be content stepping out of lockdown with dowdy clothes, not that I possess dowdy clothes, but I want a few new pieces to match my fresh hairstyle and renewed energy. As I so often help my friends with their seasonal style and fashion lists I decided to do one for myself. And whilst the list is relatively extensive, here are my five essentials, that is, the first things I will be buying within the next few weeks:
5 Essential Items for My Spring/Summer Wardrobe
Essential Item 1 : Loungewear for the office – I mentioned this to someone the other day. They looked at me like I was speaking double dutch. Apparently it doesn’t exist – I don’t believe that for a second. We just need to get creative. I have visions of soft linen slightly baggy (ok, loungy) black or navy pants, that are cinched at the waist, drawing attention to the waistline, paired with open open toe 2-inch block heel in navy or camel, a matching v-neck with short sleeves or matching sleeveless round-neck, resembling a catsuit, but not because it is in fact a two-piece. I can already envision it, and I am determined to find this piece. Will also be perfect at the weekend with a cute pair of white trainers or adding a wide width leather belt in a funky colour with a similar funky shoes for an East London kinda vibe. Basically, like the best outfits, its adaptable.
Essential Item 2: Flat shoes, preferable loafers, preferably not suede Tods, mine have not fared so well since I made the mistake of wearing them when the forecast said a 5% chance of rain that turned into 100% rain. Colours, navy, nude, yellow or red.
Essential Item 3: Ankle length skirt x2, I love my mint green and lemon pleated ankle length skirts, and want to add a few more colours to the mix, I’m thinking powder blue, which will look fab with my new hair colour (if I change my hair colour) but not so good if I keep dark hair. Can you imagine – buying clothes to match the hair – believe me, it’s very necessary and an important consideration when compiling a seasonal wardrobe. Other colour….maybe a bold orange for those days I want my presence to be felt, but not a version, just a wispy, light in weight, flowing as one walks (or strides or struts, take your pick) bright orange ensemble, conveying two messages in one. The first, “watch me, watch me, watch me” and also, “I’m delicate, go easy on me. Those are the kids of clothes that can mess with people’s minds. Pay attention to what you wear in more ways that one, especially when delivering important presentations. Always consider how you want people to feel when they see you, when you speak. Very important. Presentation, your words, your look, your message – all so very important.
Essential Item 4: Flat sandals x2. I need more flat sandals in my life, more flat everything actually, after almost 10 months confined to my house, my feet are a litter adverse to my current shoe collection which is 80% stiletto pumps. So will add the tried and trusted Birkenstocks to my list. But also Gianvito Rossi for those date night summer evenings and after work functions, for I want to be ready and not caught out when such pleasures return.
Essential Item 5: this is the item I am most excited about. I’ve seen profound changes within myself over the last year, and I wish to express these changes to the masses via my clothing, that is, maxi dresses. I’ve never been much of a dress kinda girl, bar shift dresses for work, but I’m very drawn to maxi dresses and will certainly add these to my spring and summer collection. I’m thinking floral prints and plain styles too – Ganni seems like an obvious first choice to seek these dresses. And I cannot wait to openly express this softer, vulnerable side of myself.
So essentially, my Spring and in time my Summer 2021 wardrobe will be more understated that previous years (bar the bright orange skirt), it’ll be more relaxed, but definitely refined and always sophisticated, for sophistication we must never lose. And my hair, well maybe it’ll be brown, maybe shades of blond or something in between, who knows. I just know the power of style and the power of clothing in having the ability to make one feel a certain way about themselves, making others feel a certain way about oneself, and two giving one the ability to convey a message without even uttering a word. Your look is important peeps, never forget it!
For more ideas on what to wear when going back to work:
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