The “psychology of dressing” during quarantine

And so we went from the daily question of “What should I wear again today” to all-day pajamas or tracksuits - in case we have to go out for a while, for one of the reasons in 13033. Since mid-March until today, and for some possibly even a little earlier, everyday clothing has become less, if not completely, important. The “ psychology of dressing ” during the quarantine in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic may sound like something of minor (or even insignificant) importance, however, clothes and accessories, combined with personal care, can be our valuable allies in a period full of difficulties.

What does “psychology of clothing” mean? Do pants have feelings?

Pants may not have feelings, but the people who wear them certainly do, and our relationship with clothing is a two-way street . A beautiful or comfortable outfit can make our day, while an uncomfortable, dirty, or neglected outfit can be the factor that will further throw our psychology into a difficult phase of our lives.

Among other things, the “psychology of dressing” is reflected in the image that others acquire of us, in the messages that we want to convey to others and/or to be remembered by ourselves at the same time, in the mood , as mentioned above, but also in the productivity / effectiveness of our various activities. For example, no one (probably) managed to successfully do sit-ups wearing a very tight dress or to replant a flower pot with a white silk ensemble, without having to visit the dry cleaners immediately afterwards. Of course, this is based on the fundamental principle (for those who embrace it) that “we dress for ourselves” primarily and by extension taking into account the circumstances at hand.

What does the "psychology of dressing" matter when no one is looking at you?

Those who work from home during this period, and especially if they have to hold meetings via an electronic platform, are sometimes “obliged” to dress as if they were going to their office normally. Those who do not have such an obligation usually prefer to simply dress comfortably, as if they were on vacation at home. We have a better time, at home and everywhere, when we are dressed as we want, as we feel, as we have dreamed or as it happened to us and suited us. This way we can continue our lives drawing strength from everyday life itself. Sometimes, however, the comfort of everyday life hides a trap: that of neglecting ourselves .

It's one thing to wear a holey jumpsuit because we feel like it hugs us (literally and figuratively) more warmly than any other piece of clothing, especially during a time when we need beautiful feelings, and another to wear it because we think it's "the right thing to do," since we're at home and "no one will see us."

“We’ll see ,” is the answer to this, and many times, especially when we don’t even bother to change our pajamas, the result is that all hours and all days seem “even more the same .” Obviously, at this stage of our lives, we don’t have many choices for movement and especially entertainment, but why not let ourselves express ourselves freely stylistically, since we practically have this opportunity?

I dress, therefore I feel, therefore I try

On social media, and especially on Instagram, we see the reflection of the “majority psychology” of each time - since we cannot truly say that “collective psychology” exists. Currently, we see in it, among other things, food, flashbacks to the past, and many promises for “after quarantine”.

A few days ago, a user of the above medium started a call that, while not a “challenge”, is an encouragement to do something for ourselves . The tag #karantinomaiomorfa contains a play on words and an invitation to wake up in the morning and dress nicely, that is, as we would want to dress if we were to go out in pre-pandemic conditions (with some purpose, such as a business meeting, or without any such intention). It will not save the world, but it is a daily reminder of the reasons why we are all trying together, each as best we can, to manage the pandemic, constantly keeping in mind that, at some point in the future, we will be able to gradually rebuild our daily lives as they were before COVID-19.

Dressing up is a reminder of who we are during quarantine, an extra effort to remain optimistic and full of will to fight together against the common enemy. Our clothes do not define who we are, but they help us, if we wish, to remain ourselves in a time when we absolutely need it.