You know how people often insist the effort they put into their appearance is for themselves?

[Ultrasoft]

How many are keeping up the same standards during lockdown when there's no one to see?

I agree, look good, feel good, but that's all (mostly?) because we care about how others see us surely? Otherwise the immaculately groomed would still be that way now (or the best they can do without the salon) and the rest of us wouldn't have lowered whatever our usual standards are.

If you haven't, you're in the minority. We had a short notice staff meeting of 40 staff on zoom yesterday. None were smartly dressed, most hadn't bothered with makeup and many looked like they'd barely seen a shower or a hairbrush These are people, on the whole, who are usually well turned out.

So who do we dress up and get our hair done for really?

[Stinkyjellycat]

I’m wearing the same clothes I normally wear and do my make up every day. I’ve also started a new skincare regime which is making me feel good.
Even if I know that I’m going to be home all day alone, I still make an effort. I do it for myself.

[TableNiner]

In normal circumstances I often tend to feel better about my appearance at weekends, I don’t know if that is more sleep, more time or my standards are lowered. So I have been enjoying having slightly lower standards but I am one of the ones who put make up on every day and my real world clothes, I don’t really own any loungewear. Also the fact there is time to experiment, and as such I have realised which bits of my routine are in fact futile and where to direct my efforts! I’ve also been buying loads of layering necklaces and spending time experimenting with those, even though no one will see them really

[TheMotherofAllDilemmas]

I do it for myself but I don’t get all dressed up and put full make up on for pijama days, whether they are one or 2 months long.

[unoeufisunoeuf1]

I'm actually dressing more interestingly in lockdown. I love clothes and putting outfits together and have a bit more time to do it now without a commute.

Usually if I'm in a rush I'll put on a "safe" tried and tested outfit - now I'm WFH I can be more experimental. If I get too warm/cold/uncomfortable I can go and change, and there's only my family to see if I look a bit silly! Honestly it's one of the things keeping me sane.

[LittleMissEngineer]

Yes, although I am doing LOTS of video conferences And video calls (I am an engineering manager - so both the dealing with my team and the customer).

Still doing my roots (although not so visible on video) and make-up (need more facial definition) and a dress (summery - just because most of my summery tops are t-shirts and it doesn’t look as nice.

BUT if I feel I look nice, it gives me confidence

[damnthatanxiety]

I live applying makeup. I find it enjoyable and relaxing. I have been wearing full face makeup everyday because I have the time!!! Normally I dab a bit on or none at all as I'm in a rush to get out. So obv I do it for me!

[coronabeer23]

I dress totally for me. I simply feel slovenly if I am not properly dressed. I do my hair make up and nails as usual through lockdown and also wear my same clothes. Dress up a bit nicer for WFH and my usual casual clothes for non work days. Today was maxi dress, nice trainers. Messy bun, make up. Nice handbag, jewellery. I only went to Lidl

[BatshitCrazyWoman]

I'm doing all the same grooming/make up and manicure/pedicures as always, and wearing my weekend clothes (which are nice). I don't have any loungewear - all my clothes are comfortable! I do it for me, it's part of my 'start the day' routine. I've been loving having a bit of time to choose new outfits every day. I will be buying some new clothes (I got rid of a lot of old stuff last summer when I moved here). So far I've bought make up, skin and hair care and a necklace

[MikeEhrmantraut]

I'm putting the same amount of effort in but in different ways. No more face of make up and blow dried hair, but I am doing more hair and skin treatments, fake tan, defuzzing, home pedicures, lash and brow serum and builder gel, filing, top coats for my nails. I also did my roots. All the stuff I moan I don't have time for.

I bought some basic fitted t shirts from ASOS so every day I have something to throw on that's fresh, fits and not ancient, even if it's not beautiful. I always wear perfume, even to bed. I have a work one which I'm still wearing in the week and then my favourite for weekends and bed.

[WendyHoused]

I’ve realised I wear perfume and accessories for me, and I wear bras and makeup because I feel other people expect it.

The nice thing about lockdown fashion is I can wear my favourite jersey dresses that have small holes in every day, whereas they are a bit too scruffy for the outside world .

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

I've lost almost 3 stone since last summer, so I did need some new stuff. But I can also now fit into dresses from my 20s again, so I've been wearing those too.

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

I've bought a new bikini, two new pairs of shorts, a couple of vest tops and a maxi dress. I'm vacillating over another bikini (same colours but different styles to the first one, so I can mix and match), and a pair of denim dungarees from TU, as they have 25% off atm.

[Firstimemam]

I actually like my no make up face now and feel a lot more comfortable going out without any make up. Before all of this I felt ugly with no make up whereas now, I am completely used to my no make up face.

[ThereWasAnOldLadyWhoLived]

So people who enjoy dressing up and wearing lots of different clothes why wouldn't you also enjoy having lots of different outfits to wear at home? We still have to wear clothes and yet the bottom has fallen out of the market
I am the person keeping retailers from collapsing:) Seriously, I have bought as much stuff as I usually would - just different stuff. So dungarees, boiler suit, nice but comfortable sandals to walk the dog etc. I'm not wearing make up during lockdown but I am still thinking about what I wear every day - it's genuinely something I enjoy and that makes me feel human. Did the same when DCs were small.

[MrsJBaptiste]

Well I have had 2 hospital appointments but I really can't count that as 'going out' 😕

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

It turns out I was definitely wearing make up for other people - during lock down the only time I've put it on was for Zoom calls! But I'm still wearing nice clothes - nicer than pre-lockdown, as it's made me realise that as we've no idea what's coming, there's bugger all point in saving things "for best"!

And I'm still making an effort with my hair, and using perfume and nice smelling soap. These are the things that make me feel better - whereas it turns out I just see make up as a bit of a chore!

[notacooldad]

So people who enjoy dressing up and wearing lots of different clothes why wouldn't you also enjoy having lots of different outfits to wear at home? We still have to wear clothes and yet the bottom has fallen out of the market
For me most of the time around house it woukdnt be practical. I like wearing floaty skirts and wedges, vintages dresses, pencil skirts etc. So if I'm not snuggled up on the settee or going home workouts I'm doing housework and other stuff.
I would never leave the house in jog bottoms and tshirt just as I wouldn't relax in a retro dress.
Besides which I wouldnt want to ruin them or create extra laundry.I wash these separate from everything else. They need more attention.

[Sodamncold]

9 weeks and you’ve not been out once?

[MrsJBaptiste]

@Sodamncold I think I've forgotten what going out is! I've been stuck in for 9 weeks and counting now... 😣

I have plenty of summer clothes I like so I'll wear these and by the time we can meet in groups for parties, get to the pub, etc. it will probably be Autumn and I'll go shopping then. As for bikinis, no, not planning on wearing those when I do go out!

[Sodamncold]

However I won't be buying any new clothes this summer as why spend money if nobody is going to see them? Particularly, bikinis and summer holiday clothes.

Are you not planning on going out?!

I have we getting a few lovely bits in. Will definitely be out on walks, shopping, school drop off and as cafe etc open as summer progresses but with social distancing measures - I’ll be with with bells on!

[wowfudge]

Not starting now that should read!

[wowfudge]

I don't iron unless absolutely necessary so I'm starting now!

[mistermagpie]

I'm at home with three children under five and a DH who has seen me give birth to said children, so is hardly concerned about me looking glamorous all the time, but I still make all the same effort!

I wear makeup (foundation, bronzer, eyeshadow, liner, mascara) every single day whether I'm going out or not. It helps me feel more in control somehow but even I don't know the reason why! I don't do my hair but it's short so it always looks the same anyway.

I did see a woman year rat in the park with six inch wedges on, skinny jeans and a fancy blouse and lots of makeup. She caught my eye because she looked so out of place in the surroundings (it's a wild community woodlands type place, so not a 'park' as such) but hey, if she is happy then good for her.

[Russellbrandshair]

I know for a fact the effort I put in is for myself and not for others. I just realised that yesterday I went out to the post office and supermarket in sweats, no makeup and my hair not brushed. Came home, took a shower, blow dried hair and put makeup on - to go stay in and see no one for the rest of the day. If I was that worried about other people’s opinions surely it would have been the other way around?

People are different. Seems a very complex thing for some people to grasp apparently.

[peaceanddove]

I agree with everything you wrote Count Fosco. It's so disingenuous to believe that we don't judge on appearances because the overwhelming majority do, even if it's subconsciously.