Pandemic fashion: Tips on how to feel your best, and wardrobe edit advice

Staying at home means you can dress for both comfort and style. (Marlene Shepherd)

OTTAWA — Our lives have changed. Our fashion has changed too.

This week I teased TV pal and CTV News Ottawa anchor Patricia Boal that we, anchors and hosts, are in a very small group of women wearing hosiery and dresses in 2020 and 2021.

Even if most of the world confesses to ‘fake-dressing’ from the waist up for those Zoom calls, sweatpants just don’t cut it in the studio.

Marlene Shepherd, the owner of Shepherd’s Fashions, and a fashion trailblazer in Ottawa for 40 years, says if you want to feel better at home, everyone has to get out of those yoga pants or PJs—at least, occasionally. A stay-at-home order doesn’t mean ‘stay in your housecoat’.

“Get up and stick to your skin care, hair and light makeup routine. Keeping a sense of routine makes you feel in control and allows you to also feel put together,” says Shepherd.

“Even if no one sees you, you will have a sense of well-being and feel like you are in control. Routine can provide comfort during times when things are unpredictable. Feeling fresh and put together also makes jumping on Zoom or Video calls a snap. Put your best face forward.”

The Shepherd’s team suggests getting dressed like you’re leaving the house, and make sure you choose something cheery and bright that you love and makes you happy.

“Colour can be an easy way to raise your spirits and goes a long way to set the tone for your day. Maybe treat yourself to a bright scarf or topper that will make you cheery,” she says.

Marlene and her team offer these tips:

Editing Your Wardrobe

If the walls are closing in and it’s making you want to clear the closets out, Marlene Shepherd and her fashion team suggest bearing this in mind:

Get four boxes to help you organize your giveaway items

Reminders 

1. If you haven’t worn it in over a year, it should go!

2. Wear what fits you today, not when you lose weight and      grow a few inches!

3. HAVE FUN! Playing dress-up can be so much fun. Don’t take it too seriously and don’t be too hard on yourself!