dress up when you’re feeling down
so many of you reached out yesterday to check in. we’re all hanging in there, that much is clear. and we’re all here for each other in the way in which a virtual community allows for. and that’s so important. united together, it’s our collective resolve and hope for days ahead that will carry us through the day. but there are days it can be a challenge to keep our spirits high. platitudes can wear thin, and there’s only so much Netflix we can actually watch. so i’ve got an idea to change things up just a little. it’s simple and totally doable: dress up when you’re feeling down.
fashion distraction
we talked yesterday about the importance of changing one’s working environment, to the extent possible, as a way to maintain our mental health during quarantine. my challenge today is very much in the same vein. tomorrow, or the next day, or whenever you can, try this: get up early. take a shower. put on your makeup. and put on an outfit you’d on an evening out. something chic. something elegant. something beautiful. wear it all day or take it off immediately. doesn’t really matter. the sheer act alone is worth it. dress up when you’re feeling down.
pants | similar pants | similar pants 2 | shoes | similar shoes | similar shoes 2 | sweater | similar sweater | similar sweater 2
dress up when you’re feeling down
here’s my pick for an “evening out” outfit. it’s something i’d wear to dinner at my favorite restaurant The National. afterwards, i’d undoubtedly catch a movie at Cine. i put this on the other day, and i’m telling you i felt normal even just for a moment.
it’s all about Ann Taylor today. i’ve been loving wide leg pants this spring, and today, i’ve decided to dress them up instead of down like last week. these wide leg marina pants are ankle length and complemented perfectly by these block heel sandals. i’m bringing visual interest by offsetting the neutral pants with a striped puff sleeve sweater.
pants | similar pants | similar pants 2 | shoes | similar shoes | similar shoes 2 | sweater | similar sweater | similar sweater 2
wide leg pants
we had a lot of fun last week dressing down wide leg pants. staying comfy and casual is undoubtedly what many of us are doing right now. but it’s important to mix things up from time-to-time, if only to feel that sense of real normalcy while we await its arrival. if you’re like me, a fashion distraction is a good thing and sometimes its worth it to dress up when you’re down.
pants | similar pants | similar pants 2 | shoes | similar shoes | similar shoes 2 | sweater | similar sweater | similar sweater 2
here are some more pics from Ann Taylor that i’m loving right now.
Loved your styling of these wide-legged pants. Everything is elegant, understated and classic! Perfection… And yes, it’s been amazing on the days I feel really low, if I just get dressed and do my hair and makeup, I already feel better.
Ver y becoming outfit on you, don’t want to wear white pants in the house while we are ,cleaning, organizing, doing all the jobs we have put off for years😀😷
Wow! This outfit is so flattering on you! I didn’t have time yesterday, but I loved yesterday’s outfit looked stunning too even though it was a relaxed look!
Thank you for all the inspiration!
My best to you and your family!
So chic! Love this look.
Beth, this is sound advice. Your OOTD is energizing today…as are most all of your style offerings. We come to the blog because we care about our appearance, whether at home or out. Was taught to “always look your best” since a child. Have found that doing so indeed makes me feel better. Keep it coming!~
Spot on! Fashion always cheers me up! Sometimes I wear my pearls to doctor appointments.
I did that yesterday using color to pick me up. I forgot to mention yesterday that I was also wearing my new yellow shoes from Easy Spirit along with my yellow sweater, Talbots last year. Now that I can walk again even though it’s with a walker or cane, I need fashionable flat shoes. Easy spirit was my choice when I was working for professional looking comfortable shoes. Thank you for reintroducing me to Easy Spirit and for the discount, Beth
love your office and your desk chair and the chair where you put your feet on a low foot stool……
great to dress to feel better.
Love it….
I love this look…have been dressing as I would for work (teaching first grade) and also dressing up for zoom cocktails with friends family…exactly what I would wear if I was leaving the house. Loved the shoes-living in sneakers right now as I recover from broken ankle. Can’t wait to wear “real” shoes again and I love a block heel.
You are right, and red lipstick helps, too!
I always feel deflated if I do this…there’s no place to go-
I noticed your jewelry yesterday and today and was glad you added that. I haven’t been wearing any good jewelry, and decided put on a gold bracelet yesterday. Even that made a difference!
Great outfit on you! I turned 62 this year and just can’t wear heels anymore. Not sure this outfit would look as smart with flats….
Thank you Beth. I have tried the dressing up and it works. I have some really cute clothes that need to be worn.
Really cute, happy outfit. Your post reminded me of my mother. She was full of common sense wisdom. She would say if you are feeling a little down go buy a new hat! She was born in 1914. She would also say use your head for more than a hat rack and get busy!
Jan
I did just that today. Looking good does make one feel good.
Good reminder. I had been not taking the curling iron to my hair most days, But stopped that real quick. Feel better when looking better. My Mother was right. Especially as women of a certain age it makes us look lively! Stay safe and healthy everyone!
Great clothes!
I needed some positive thoughts today!! This isolation is beginning to drag me down a little!
Thanks 😊
This is a cute look–I have a pair of pants almost identical to these. And the kind of cropped striped top is perfect with this! I do think that often, it comes down to what we set as our attitude–so if we determine we’ll have a good day, we may just do it! My grandmother always used to say “it doesn’t matter what happens to you, but how you deal with what happens to you is what counts.” I think there’s a lot of truth to that. You look charming here!
Hi Beth, Amen to “dress up when you’re feeling down. My husband had hip replacement surgery on Jan 25th so we are now on Day 61 of our quarantine. Just when we were doing re-entry the world shut down.
An author friend of mine started a #DressUpTuesday on Facebook with this invitation:
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We’ve been dressing and posting photos for 5 Tuesdays now. It’s been great fun and we’re all enjoying the benefits. Today I even donned my pearls and took a photo of a little QuaranTea time. Cheers!
Fantastic Beth! I love your style so much!! This look is so SAHC (Stay At Home Chic)!!!! We need to do what we can to have a momentary get-away from this pandemic and focusing on anything that will lift our spirits surely helps. Thank you so much for your guidance. We love you out here and cannot thank you enough for your positive reinforcement. Please stay safe and healthy. A Michigan Fan!!!!!
Oh Beth this could not have come at a better time! I awoke today and even before I fully opened my eyes I knew I would struggle today so tomorrow first thing I am going to apply your suggestion. Stay well, stay safe
After complaining a bit, OK a lot, yesterday to my husband how my kitchen is feeling like a diner lately, how much I miss our granddaughters, bummed out that we had to cancel our 50th anniversary celebrations, blah, blah, blah, I took stock of how much we do have and need to be grateful for. Beth, your positivity through all you have been through, continues to inspire us and gives us pause to think about all the good things. I have also been dressing up, keeping up with my skin rituals, wearing diamond studs with my jeans, and in general living every day. I have discovered that paying huge amounts for hair coloring every 4 weeks for the last 25 years could have paid for a car, so I have very successfully colored my own hair recently. Ah, freedom!! After retiring I no longer need my higher end clothes 5 days a week, so I have added a lot of casual things. I have recently placed 3 substantial orders from Old Navy. Some items are a jumpsuit for summer, flared cropped pants and floral pants, a 3 pack of white tees and some boyfriend jeans. Such fun. How about a post putting together some outfits from Old Navy or the Gap?
Just discovered you via Vicki Archer. I am gray,older than you,once a Southerner now living in New England.I had my knee surgery last June and badly damaged not the hardware but the knee muscles by lifting a heavy box about two months after surgery.That injury took me over six months to recover from.Advice…. go easy even when you feel great and avoid lifting!!
Beth,
Your hair looks great longer! Nice outfit also!
Blessings,
Eliane