Five Years After COVID: Rediscovering the Joy of Getting Dressed
It’s hard to believe that five years have passed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those early days brought a seismic shift to the way we live, work, and, yes, dress. Sweats became the uniform of a new era—soft fabrics, elastic waistbands, and oversized everything offered comfort during uncertain times. Workout wear stopped being relegated to the gym and became the unofficial look of Zoom calls, grocery runs, and socially distanced walks.
But here we are in 2025, and while the world has moved forward in many ways, some habits linger. For many of us, loungewear and workout sets still dominate our closets. It makes sense—comfort was the cornerstone of survival back then. Yet, somewhere along the way, we lost the art of getting dressed for the day. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time to bring it back.
Why Getting Dressed Matters Again
When the world paused, so did our relationship with style. Our focus shifted to functionality and ease. And while there’s nothing wrong with valuing comfort, staying in sweatpants for half a decade might have stolen a little spark from our daily routines.
Getting dressed isn’t just about appearances—it’s about how it makes you feel. When you pull on an outfit that makes you stand a little taller, you approach your day with a different energy. It’s a simple act that says, “I’m showing up for myself today.” Whether you're heading to the bank, walking your dog, or hopping onto a Zoom call, putting effort into your look sets the tone for how you move through the world.
The New Approach to Everyday Style
Let’s be real: we’re not going back to the days of rigid office attire or sacrificing comfort for style. That’s not what this is about. It’s about finding a balance. How do we rediscover our personal style in a way that feels authentic and functional for our current lives?
Comfort Still Matters: Many of us are working from home or balancing hybrid schedules. Clothes that let you lounge on the couch during a brainstorming session and still look polished enough for a quick errand are the new gold standard. Comfort is non-negotiable, but that doesn’t mean we have to look like we just rolled out of bed.
Style Isn’t Superficial: It’s easy to dismiss getting dressed as unimportant when you’re not leaving the house. But style isn’t about who sees you—it’s about how it shapes your mindset. The right outfit can make a mundane Tuesday feel intentional, even special.
Practicality is Key: Today’s outfits need to multitask as much as we do. They need to look good on a Zoom call, feel good when you’re working at your kitchen table, and be functional for errands or unexpected coffee runs.
Rediscovering Your Personal Style
Maybe the most exciting part of this shift is the chance to redefine what style means to you. After years of leaning into comfort, we now have the opportunity to merge that ease with something more polished. It’s not about returning to what your wardrobe looked like in 2019—it’s about creating something new that works for who you are today.
Who Are You Now? The past five years have changed all of us. Your style should reflect the person you’ve grown into. Maybe you’ve embraced minimalism, or perhaps you’re ready to add a little boldness back into your wardrobe. Take the time to reconnect with what feels like you.
Let Go of the Rules: Forget what anyone says you should wear. Personal style isn’t about trends or what’s in—it’s about what resonates with you. If you want to dress up to walk the dog, go for it. If you want to elevate your loungewear with a touch of structure, do that too.
The Joy of Effort
Getting dressed doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It’s a small act of care that can transform your day. When you take a little time to put yourself together, you’re not just getting dressed—you’re showing yourself that you matter.
Five years ago, we retreated into comfort as a form of survival. Now, it’s time to embrace comfort as part of a bigger picture—one that includes style, joy, and confidence. Getting dressed doesn’t mean leaving behind the ease we’ve grown to love; it means using it as a foundation to build something even better.
So tomorrow, when you’re deciding what to wear, take a moment to think about what will make you feel good. Not just comfortable, but confident. Because after everything we’ve been through, you deserve to feel your best—even on a random Tuesday.
Final Thoughts
The way we dress day-to-day has evolved, and it’s time to evolve with it. Let’s step away from the loungewear rut and rediscover the joy of dressing intentionally. Whether you’re working from home, running errands, or simply reclaiming your sense of style, putting effort into how you present yourself is an investment in how you feel.
Your wardrobe is an extension of you—choose pieces that let you move through the world with ease and confidence. Because getting dressed isn’t about impressing others—it’s about showing up for yourself.