COVID-19 ATTIRE

‘Clothes maketh the man’ Shakespeare’s Hamlet declared. Mark Twain was known to have stated that “Clothes make the man; naked people have little or no influence on society”.  Mark Twain however, wasn’t the first to realise that humans were apt to judge a ‘book by its cover’. The proverb actually originated 400 years earlier during the Middle ages and notably by Erasmus a Catholic priest, theologian, and social critic.

Bring us to 2020, the year of the Covid-19 pandemic (amongst other things) and the proverb is more likely to be; “I don’t give a shit”!

Let us back track. Clothing is a personal thing.  ‘What suit shall I wear today? does this tie/handbag match? does my bum look big in this? I’m not wearing that!’.  These have been everyday worries or exclamations for as long as any of us can remember. The clothes we wear, seemingly, give off an impression of who we are. They certainly play an important part in the overall personality we aim to portray. The ‘suit’ gives the air of authority and knowledge, the uniform (of any kind) gives the impression of being part of a team or organisation. The expensive looking dresses with accompanying bling seemingly indicate wealth and …. ahem…. taste…! (I do beg to differ on many occasion). The knitted cardigan belongs to the ‘cosy’ quiet achiever and the dirty, tattered clothing lets us believe that someone is down on their luck.  Clothing tells a story…… You think.

‘Dress to impress’ has been the mantra for many. Until 2020 that is.

The pandemic crept into our lives and going to work has been not something that has been encouraged strange as it may seem. ‘Isolate, lockdown, curfew’ are words that have crept into everyday conversations. Stay home. Work from home. We have the technology. Computer screens have become the new ‘office’. We ‘log in’ to the various on-screen applications to enable us to see each other’s faces and work as a team.  Earlier in the process there would still be suits and ties, smart blouses and skirts with complimenting accessories and we carried on as though nothing had changed. As time has crept on though, it has become obvious that nothing below the waistline can be seen and as Pyjama pants are much comfier and cosier to sit in, well why not? And as the year creeps on, the shirts, ties, smart blouses have made way for tee shirts of all manner of designs, knitted pullovers, sloppy joes even dressing gowns. Forget the bling, a quick brush through the bed hair has just about been enough for some to manage and…. Makeup…..forget that?

Still judging that book cover?

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