AUP Fashion: Quarantine Style
Ever since the initiation of lockdown policies around the world, it has been a decidedly bleak time for showing off impeccably-chosen outfits IRL. Instead, pajamas and sweatpants have adorned the bodies of many who are privileged to work from home and stay indoors, becoming the unofficial uniform for most of the general public during this Covid-19 pandemic.
I, for one, am not immune to the allure of those grey sweatpants I bought from the men’s section at TJMAXX all those years ago (they have holes in them too which frankly adds to the misery of it all). However, a stay-at-home fashion movement has spread across social media urging people to get out of bed and get dressed anyway. Leading the charge are the creation of accounts such as @wfhfits and hashtags like Leandra Medine Cohen’s aptly coined #goingnowherebutfuckitimgettingdressed. People are recognizing the power of putting on an ensemble every day, and the AUP community is no exception. I asked three particularly stylish AUP students about the importance of clothing during a pandemic, and their outfits they included most certainly did not disappoint.
A checked sweater vest moment, image credit: Ryan Lambright
RYAN LAMBRIGHT, 18, NEW ORLEANS, LA
First of all, how is lockdown going for you? (I’m sending lots of love)
Lockdown has been a contemplative as well as an anxiety-ridden experience for me and my family. Both of my parents are health professionals working overtime in the midst of this hectic period, so stress is carried home with them every night.
What role does fashion play in your daily life under more regular circumstances?
Fashion plays the role of expression and a source of confidence in my day to day life. When I put on a purposefully-curated outfit, I am physically and mentally preparing myself for my day ahead. It’s also a way in which I can differentiate myself from other people in terms of aesthetics.
Acid wash jeans and leather, image credit: Ryan Lambright
Do you have any usual routines when you get dressed?
Getting dressed is a part of my morning routine, and is one of my favorite times of the day. It’s a gradual awakening of my thoughts and my body. I look forward to my cup of coffee while I go through my comprehensive skin, hair, vitamin, exercise, outfit and breakfast routine.
Has your style changed in the light of the lockdown, and if so, how?
One of the only ways my style has been impacted by the quarantine is that I do not wear shoes and socks every day, and I don’t layer as much for I am not going outdoors. Besides that, I still dress myself every day.
Playing with pattern, image credit: Ryan Lambright
How does putting on a ‘real’ outfit affect your mood during the lockdown?
I put on a ‘real’ outfit every day. I consciously made a decision years ago to throw away almost all of my sweats, as well as a lot of my PJ’s, so that I was forced to wear tastier clothes - no matter the circumstances.
MADDIE CZARNIK, 20, NORTH CAROLINA/ENGLAND
This is an obligatory question, but how are you doing during this lockdown?
Lockdown is like going through puberty all over again. One second, I’m thinking about the delicious profitability of time and creation and being ALONE and then the next second, I’m receiving way too many messages from people around the world who are equally as stuck as I am. Then I remember the crushing weight of our dying planet and the fact that I trust no old white man in power at the moment and I’m a crying mess! A whirlwind of emotions.
Crochet and camo, image credit: Maddie Czarnik
What role does fashion play in your day-to-day life?
Fashion plays a huge role in my life. It’s the only lens that really captures truly everything that I love about the beauty of life; it intersects with all of my favorite industries and subjects. I wouldn’t really have an excellent reason other than compassion and knowledge of my own privilege to keep pushing myself forward in the scheme of education and work if it didn’t exist! It’s my purpose.
What helps you put on a real outfit, even when you know you won’t leave the house?
I try to at least get myself into a pair of trousers with some real hold to them, you know, the kind that will dig into your stomach just a tad when you sit down to work to remind you that you’re wearing trousers and that it’s go time. This past weekend I stayed in bed all of Sunday (in my PJ’s) and that made it impossible to do anything at all. The PJ’s were a commitment to myself to not leave my bed. Delicious.
When in doubt - a silk slip dress, image credit: Maddie Czarnik
What are some habits you’ve developed during this quarantine period to keep your spirits up?
Some habits I’ve developed to cope with confinement…I’ve been listening to a TON of jazz. I have this really cute radio with speakers that came with my studio and one of the stations is just 24/7 jazz and sometimes they’ll analyze different pieces or have kids come on the station and talk about jazz and it’s really soothing. Podcasts while doing things that are already boring helps too. Filling the silent void in general. I told myself I would not pick up cooking just because of quarantine though. I refuse to. Cooking is for stable people and I don’t want to pretend like I’m 35 and sorted at the moment.
Any final thoughts or words of advice?
Look, this is probably (hopefully) the only time that we’re going to be stuck inside like this during our lifetimes. Use it, but don’t abuse it. Don’t create a structure that you can’t maintain. Be gentle with yourself and remember that there’s no right way to be alone and get things done. Do what you want and stay healthy and inside. Take this time to think about all forms of your consumption: food, clothing, books, movies, music, hell, even people that you follow and consume on a daily basis. We are all products of our environments, but what happens when our products and environments disappear? Who are you then? Be gentle.
CHRIS TURNER, 20, AUSTIN, TX
White sweater and gold accents, image credit: Chris Turner
I have to ask; how are you doing during the lockdown?
I’m not gonna lie, this whole lockdown situation still feels pretty surreal. I’m glad I decided to stay in Paris though because it seems like the US still isn’t taking this situation seriously enough like people are—for the most part—here in France.
How would you describe your daily style regularly?
The regular day-to-day style I’d describe as being sophisticated but definitely really vintage-inspired. I also find myself a lot of times wearing oversized or monochrome looks.
A crop top moment, image credit: Chris Turner
Has your style changed in light of the lockdown, and if so, how?
My style has definitely changed during lockdown. A majority of the clothes I usually wear require dry-cleaning, but dry-cleaners are definitely not an essential business, so I’ve only really been able to wear things that I can wash with a washing machine.
How does putting on a ‘real’ outfit affect your mood?
During the lockdown, putting on ‘real’ outfits has helped keep me sane. I feel like I’m still able to express myself and keep some sense of routine if I make sure to actually get dressed every day.
Any final thoughts or words of advice?
I feel like the best advice I’ve gotten during this lockdown, period, is honestly to not give yourself any expectations. I’m usually the type of person who would pressure myself to learn a new skill or something during free-time like this but instead, I’ve really just been focusing on relaxing and taking care of myself.
Red and yellow balcony hangs, image credit: Chris Turner
So there you have it! Fashion and creativity have taken on whole new meanings in the context of the pandemic, and it is quite frankly a means for maintaining sanity for many.
The importance of daily stimulation that is somewhat reflective of daily life remains important in these very strange times, whether that be waking up at a routine time, or putting on an ensemble you would usually reserve for a day outside the house. I, for one, am always happy for an excuse to change into a festive pair of trousers.
