How to dress for the new events post-lockdown: Date nights, outdoor cinemas and pub lunches
We’ve had few occasions to shop for in lockdown, apart from, perhaps, getting dressed up for the weekly Zoom quiz.
Zoom-dressing was an opportunity to lift our spirits when the pandemic began, but we are likely all sick of virtual quizzes by now. 16 weeks later, and I still can't remember all the European capital cities...
But, as the Government eases lockdown rules, we can finally get back into real life dressing, remembering all the different types of occasions we used to enjoy getting dressed for. From date nights to outdoor cinema clubs, it's time to retire the jogging bottoms...
The date night dress
Flounce-trimmed taffeta dress, £59.99, H&M; White mules, £201, Aeyde; Earrings, £620, Alexander McQuee; Checked dress, £205, Ganni
Pivoting date night from your dinner table to a restaurant calls for change in scenery and what you wear. The rules of dressing up haven’t changed, but perhaps how you feel about the clothes in your wardrobe may have. If you spent lockdown in white cotton day dresses, then chances are you don't want to let go just yet, but you can up the ante by adding a zing of colour to the beloved day dress. to A bold colour, like this H&M number, means you won’t have to accessorise it heavily with jewellery (but gold earrings will go a long way) as the scrunched up collar already adds a pizzazz to it.
It might feel morally wrong to go back to wearing platforms or heels, after months of moulding into your Birkenstocks, creating a comfortable footbed for your feet. The time has come for your feet to come out of a lockdown rut. The easy way to get back onto the shoe ladder is to start with a block heel that’s under 6cm, it will provide a boost, hold you up for the whole of the night and there will be no pain to speak of.
The return to day drinking
Maxi skirt, £249, Ridley London
A civilised picnic or pub lunch will often result in some type of sartorial staining, be it ketchup or grass. A stain-resistant capsule wardrobe is essential for summer to save you from trips to the dry cleaners and repeat buys of the same items. Bold prints will offer good camouflage - for a cheerful summer option, opt for Ridley London's busy floral prints. A pair of trusty trainers from Grenson (£195) will complete the look and keep it casual.
A night at the outdoor cinema
Striped cardigan, £99, Marks & Spencer; Oversized jumper, £190, Samsoe Samsoe; V-neck cardigan £380, Zimmermann; Rib knit sweater, £250, Reformation at Browns Fashion
Outdoor and drive-thru cinemas have reopened around the UK, offering a stunning opportunity to be outside on a summer's evening. It's an occasion where you can wear anything as long as you layer it right because summer nights in the UK can feel chilly. Investing in a summer knitwear wardrobe is a must for any Brit.
An oversized jumper will completely change your outfit. If you plan on wearing a slip dress, then opt for a cropped jumper to emphasise your waist, or choose a button-down cardigan, which will make the outfit prim but casual.
Group exercise
Brown tracksuit hood, £59, Arket; Polo shirt, £115, Polo Ralph Lauren
Of course nobody dresses up to look glamorous in sportswear, but the fun factor should still be there - especially now that outdoor group exercise sessions are back on the agenda.
You don’t always need to rely on the same shiny stretchy fabrics. There is much more choice than you think -Arket and Marks & Spencer have activewear sections filled with chic separates.
As most public parks have now opened up, so have their tennis courts for group matches - if you were a Wimbledon spectator, now's your chance to join in on the game while it's cancelled. A white polo shirt can be worn on and off the court. Ralph Lauren didn't cancel his Wimbledon capsule collection - which I'd say is a sign we must all play instead of staying indoors and watching re-runs on the television.
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