By Josie Gudgeon
It’s been a whirlwind of a month, and many of us are still trying to get our heads around it all. In previous articles I have talked about why it’s important to get dressed during the lockdown and discussing our mental health.
However, in today’s article I want to press a little further on how we can feel more empowered during this time. I truly believe that a positive mind gives positive outcomes. With all the tragic things that are happening in the world as a result of the coronavirus, now might seem like an unusual time to talk about being positive. Yet staying positive is the key to coping in a time like this.
For many of us self-isolation and living in lockdown is a mixed experience. On the one hand, we are learning to appreciate what is essential for living and how little we actually need in order to feel fulfilled. We’ve had space to slow down, to simplify our lives a bit and focus more attention on the light-hearted things we don’t always find time to do when life is so busy.
For me this time has allowed me to spend more time being creative and enjoy doing DIY projects and has also allowed me to analyse and look through my wardrobe. During this time, I still ensure I wake up and get dressed in the same way as always, as this puts me in a positive frame of mind. However, during this time, I have learned to feel empowered in my natural beauty with not having to put makeup on every day to leave the house I have really embraced my fresh skin.
It’s important to remember that clothes and makeup do not define who we are, they can simply help elevate our spirits. I think now more than ever it is important to remember to reduce our fashion consumption; especially when we look at the fast fashion industry and how it has responded during this pandemic.
Brands like Pretty Little Thing and BooHoo are still operating and their warehouse staff have pleaded with people to stop ordering goods as they are reportedly having to work in conditions that are not conducive to stopping the spread of the virus. This is all because consumers are still purchasing out of heightened boredom.
As I mentioned in my empowerment article, for me empowerment in the fashion industry does not just come from how we feel when wearing the clothing but the ethical side of fashion. What is the background of the garment? I want to know that if I’m buying an item of clothing and I’m going to wear it with pride, knowing the staff producing the product have been treated fairly. Therefore, I feel it is vital to keep in mind that while we are sitting away in the safety of our homes, why out of boredom are we purchasing new clothes to look fantastic for watching Disney Plus.
Many people are putting their lives at risk just to make you new beige joggers or a dusky pink bodysuit. I want people to stop clicking and start to look inside their own wardrobe. Going through your wardrobe can remind you of old memories. Why not even go crazy, grab the amazing dress you have only worn once and spent and arm and a leg on. This maybe your wedding dress or your prom ball gown. All of these dresses made us feel beautiful, which is why we forked out the amount we did.
Let’s shake off that dust from the back of our wardrobe and feel that magical feeling again. For me putting back on my prom dress brought empowerment with the emotion I felt in the dress. I knew when I put it on that not only did I feel fabulous because of how much I loved it, but it allowed me to see the journey of my life since I first wore it. I could see how much my body shape has changed and I could see in myself how much I had matured as a person, with the lessons I had learned along the way.
Now it’s your turn to drag your old beloved dresses out. Join me along with the Kirklees Local TV team with our #selfiesforsanity to empower ourselves and others by dressing up or dressing down, taking selfies, and posting them all over social media with the hashtag. Send them in to us as we would love to see your positive spirits during this time.