Why get dressed

The actual impact of getting dressed up or down varies from person to person, experts said. The behavioral act of getting dressed can have a significantly positive impact on our mood, confidence and behaviors, according to Sheva Assar , a licensed clinical psychologist in Orange County, California.

Assar suggests that people not only consider the aesthetics, but how each look corresponds with their agenda for the day, and plan accordingly. Given that many people are sheltering at home, those with multiple appointments might want to change up their look to draw boundaries that help separate one activity from the next. Creative types in particular might feel the emotional benefits of their wardrobe more than non-creative people, Thomas said. Just as getting dressed up on a regular basis can elevate our mood and influence our behaviors, dressing down too often can create similar long-term negative effects.

While experts agree that most people will see benefits from putting daily care into their looks, some acknowledge that there can be drawbacks. People who struggle with body image, for instance, may find getting dressed to be a distressing and unpleasant experience.

Some people might even see a decrease in productivity if they spend too much energy trying to amp up their look. Instead of emphasizing glamour, Pernell urged everyone to consider how their appearance is helping them get closer to their goal.

That left his decision-making for the important things during his day. Instead of concentrating on flashy looks, he suggests focusing on intentionality. We use clothing ourselves as a way to interact with others and to help us move through life and achieve daily goals.

Getting dressed is a learned reaction that we have been upholding, seemingly forever. There is no doubt about the fact that we are judged by the way we dress. It is the first impression that we give to other people. Despite lockdown measures easing in the UK, some parts of the world are still under strict guard and others are heading back into lockdown, this presents a strange sense of consciousness when going about your day to day activities.

However, the fact remains, studies and business are continuing from home which means it is increasingly easier to stay in your pyjamas all day.

By being stuck inside all day it may seem pointless to get dressed. I mean, who is going to see you? By no means am I suggesting that anybody pops on their ball gown for a Zoom meeting unless that is what you want to do. Plus, if you are dressed, then there is no awkward interaction with the postman or other delivery operative.

As nobody is going to see you at least not the full body, why not use this time to experiment with your style and see what works for you by trying new ideas? When it comes to working-from-home wear Mackinnon recommends choosing clothing that you would actually leave the house in.

Mackinnon said jogger pants, a cashmere sweater, and tops in soft and stretchy fabrics are good go-to garments when working from home. Another tip that Mackinnon has for working from home: wear a proper pair of shoes, other than Ugg boots or slippers, as it will help you to feel in work mode.

When working from home, Stevens recommends choosing soft, loose-fitting garments like tailored jogger pants, chinos, or a skirt with an elastic waist. Some t-shirts that you may wear out on weekends could also work well, and a light knit is ideal for keeping warm yet comfortable. This article originally appeared in SheDefined. Office Life. Sharon Green.