What Happens To Your Wardrobe When You're Alone

What would change in your daily fashion and beauty routine if you didn't have to leave your house for a week? I mean, what would you do differently if you knew you weren't going to see anyone for the next seven days? (Or should I say, if you knew no one was going to see you!) Well, I decided to make an experiment out of these questions, and let you know what you can expect. (OK the truth is I've thrown my back out and have been ordered to stay home and rest!) Right now, the only reason I have to go outside is to pick my son up from school and go to the supermarket (both of which I can do with my coat on). And to be honest, it has surprised me how much I have enjoyed being temporarily removed from society — it has been such a nice feeling to put on my comfy, warm, soft clothes and prioritize taking care of myself.

Don't get me wrong: I LOVE wearing pretty things, but it has truly shocked me how peaceful and social-stress-free I feel right now. I like dressing up nice (my kind of nice) but I know that people sometimes don't appreciate my particular style — something I also like, because as long as I feel confident about the outfit, I can handle the looks. On most days, though, it takes me a long time to put together something I'm totally happy with, so I'm glad to have this short break from it. If I wasn't suffering from a constant pain in my back, I would be the happiest person ever! Maybe I can hold onto this feeling and use it to avoid internalizing what other people think of me. I am certainly going to go shopping for some dressy trousers and trendy sweaters to see if I can make my daily life more comfortable!

1. SAVE TIME IN YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

Forget about standing in front of your wardrobe trying to choose the perfect outfit depending on who you are likely to see that day, whether you have to walk far, or what the weather is like. Just make the stressless transition from bed to sofa, and life is a piece of cake. A blanket is an item of clothing, right?

2. FORGETTING YOU OWN A PAIR OF TWEEZERS

Seriously ladies, those eyebrows are having a wild time! Embrace your thick-browed self, at least until you have to go out into the real world again.

3. MAKEUP AIN'T HAPPENING

Unless you're experimenting with a wild new look that you don't dare try outside the house yet, I know your makeup bag isn't getting a second look this week.

4. FEELING COMFORTABLE AND WARM

This has a lot to do with the next three points, but having zero fashion obligations makes you realize how much discomfort you put up with on a daily basis. No annoying tights that want to slide down or roll up, no agonizing toe-seams (wooly socks all the way), no uncomfortable belts, no shapewear, no straps slipping, no high heels. Just soft and warm clothes: It's like heaven on earth!

5. WEARING PAJAMAS ALL DAY LONG

If being braless and in my pajamas all day is wrong, I don't want to be right!

6. PUTTING ON SPORTSWEAR, WHILE HAVING NO INTENTION TO SPORT

Finally finding a use for those jogging pants that you bought in the first week of January five years ago in a New Year's resolution bout of enthusiasm. Perfect sofa-wear if pajamas are not warm and cozy enough.

7. MAKING THE BLANKET A PART OF YOUR DAILY WARDROBE

By the end of the week, you will have the blanket wrapping technique down — and your beloved sofa blankets will be a staple part of your everyday outfits!

8. LISTENING TO YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC... UP LOUD

Put on your favorite tunes that no one else ever wants to listen to, up loud, on repeat, and then throw yourself around the living room (in your jammies of course)! No inspiration? Here is some Florence + The Machine to get you on the right path; it starts off easy but it'll have you dramatically shaking it out in no time!

9. LOVING YOURSELF

That infernal internal dialog that bugs you all day long saying that you should have worn that other dress is silenced. With no witnesses, there is no reason to care what you look like!

10. BEING TOTALLY ZEN

The removal of everything stressful (work deadlines, interaction with people, sunlight) and addition of comfortable clothes turns you into a regular Zen Master.

11. EATING PASTA PESTO EVERY DAY

OK maybe this one is just me, but only having to cook for myself means boiling pasta and adding pesto. I think I'm literally addicted to that stuff! And because you're all alone, there is no one to remind you that you shouldn't be eating carbs.

12. DOING NOTHING AND NOT FEELING BAD ABOUT IT

Need I say more?

13. MISSING IT ALL AND GETTING EXTREMELY OVERDRESSED

Somewhere near the end of the week it hits you: I want to feel pretty again! Dolled up in a dress you bought for a wedding, matching earrings and heels, you head off to the supermarket and enjoy turning heads (looks of admiration of course; it's not like they think you're a crazy lady).

Images: Giphy; Flickr/Jamelah