The Post-Lockdown Wardrobe Purge - The Gloss Magazine

The Post-Lockdown Wardrobe Purge

What stays, what goes? Aislinn Coffey has twelve tweaks …

What did we learn fashion-wise throughout the various lockdowns? If it is not comfortable, we won’t wear it. The pertinent question is, what will we be wearing when the vaccine sets us free? After more than a year spent in the gentle hug of a Pangaia tracksuit (the savvy upsized them so they could all artfully ignore the Covid stone), there is a feeling now is the time to re-establish a sense of normality in our wardrobes. When we emerge from our cocoons we’ll need a style reboot. A few tweaks and a couple of additions to our virtual baskets should sort us out … But first, go through all your clothes: with household incomes under pressure, there will be a lot of pieces you can re-style by adding a few bits. Post-vaccine fashion will likely lie somewhere between the dressy and the comfortable …

SMART BLAZERS

What to wear when lockdown is over? After months spent in loungewear, throw on a smart blazer (the one piece of clothing that has the ability to add elegance to practically anything layered beneath), a pair of chic kitten heels, some colourful accessories: it’s time to get dressed again.

BAGS

Remember handbags? LOSE the lockdown stuffed coat pockets or re-usable supermarket grocery bag as a handbag look. THE UPDATE Ease yourself back in with a hands-free (shoulder strap) leather bucket bag with a spacious interior ideal for everyday use. We will all need a sterile face mask case (they use UV-C technology) to store our masks; check out new arrivals on www.amazon.com.

CHIC SANDALS

The end of lockdown means we have to rethink our shoe game. THE UPDATE A chic sandal (we love Chanel’s small block heel) will add the finishing touch to everything in your wardrobe. LK Bennett’s Newport sandal is worth looking at as a well-priced alternative.

JACKETS

LOSE your WFH raggedy sweatshirts and hoodies. Pack them away, sell or donate. THE UPDATE Layer blazers over everything and team with trousers (joggers too), dresses and skirts. Lilac oversized twill blazer, €175; www.arket.com.

TROUSERS

SWERVE joggers for a while. INSTEAD Ankle-exposing straight or wide-leg chinos, or comfortable cargo trousers. Or add a pair of kitten heels to your best cuffed jogger-style trousers. Pink high-rise cotton twill trousers, MSGM, €245; www.farfetch.com.

PRINT SCARVES

AVOID a tired, boring, personality-less look. ADD a style-elevating print scarf. Drape over your shoulders to feel instantly fresh or wear in your hair until you nab your hair appointment.

JEWELLERY

Jewellery boxes have been gathering dust as accessory wearing has fallen by the wayside this past year. AVOID getting the whole kit and caboodle out. THE UPDATE A strong pearl game will lift your look. Intersperse with hits of fun neon for an instant SS21 update: neon pops will energise even the most lacklustre accessories. Summer emergency plastic ring, €67; www.lamanso.com.

CUFFS

SWERVE the affirmation bracelet/FitBit wrist stack look. Sculptural cuffs add instant polish. THE UPDATE A matching pair one on each arm, for an instant SS21 vibe.

BALLET FLATS

DITCH your tired but comfortable house shoes. THE UPDATE The solution to a summer shoe dilemma is simple: a Noughties pair of ballet pumps. Look out for almond and square-toe shapes in punchy colours. Mary Jane straps are in too. Start moisturising those sun-starved ankles.

COLLARED KNITS

RETIRE all heavy-duty winter sweaters (clean and de-fuzz) and store flat, do not hang. THE UPDATE Add a collared trans-seasonal (lightish) knit to your spring wardrobe. Polo-shirts and half-zip style cotton sweaters were big at Fendi and Proenza Schouler. This is your ultimate work-to-weekend wardrobe staple.

LEGGINGS

SET ASIDE those LuluLemon leggings for exercise only. THE UPDATE Next-level leggings have come into play. Black stretch-twill (Joseph’s are indestructible), stretch-jersey or sturdy, double-knit ponte leggings will soon become the foundation of many outfits. If you invest in the right ones, the sculpting material will flatter your figure: think side or front-split leggings or stirrup leggings. Channel the SS21 shows and team yours with a long line blouse and mules or kitten heels. Styles from Live The Process (€124, available at matchesfashion.com); Styles from Victoria Beckham, Norma Kamali, Saint Laurent, are ones to look at. Mango have a good dupe, €25.99.

COLOUR

KEEP wearing your favourite black classics, but there’s nothing like a pop of colour to lift the mood after the year we’ve had. THE UPDATE Re-energise your look with bright extras: think fresh apple greens, optimistic yellows and Greek-island blues. Wear with a sunny disposition.

MIDIS

With signs of sunshine on the horizon, it’s time to lose the voluminous “buffet” dress of 2020. THE UPDATE Add a midi dress to your daily rotation. Flattering and wearable, the midi of the moment is plain or floral and figure-skimming. Top tips? Empire or tie waists will hide a multitude. Three-quarter length sleeves will keep you warm till summer. Wear yours with slouchy knee boots or add trainers and a baseball cap to dress it down. Adding a belt will update and reshape something old.

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