How to Wear COVID Casual
This season's hottest look
It’s Tuesday, and COVID-19 is in full swing. What are you wearing, Jake from State Farm?
After two months on quarantine, stores across the country are opening back up, and bemasked folks are getting out and braving the world. Whether you’re hitting the stores with a bedazzled fabric mask or staying safely nestled in your hobbit hole, fashion has never been more of an utterly wackadoo free-for-all.
The freedom from social pressure that comes with being stuck at home has created an alternate reality where people just wear whatever they feel like whenever they want. Now that we don’t go out in public, all bets are off. and I am loving watching the world just embrace their Natural Fashion Selves.
As a child of the eighties who grew up in a world where Guess jeans and later GAP khakis reigned supreme, who forced herself into ill-fitting women’s business casual of self-loathing for years, I am a million percent here for this.
Our family has always been what polite folks refer to as “free-spirited” and coworkers and Karens alike refer to as “interesting” and “not a choice I would make.” But like everyone else in the world, we would at least try to look civilized when we went out in public.
No more.
I’ve pretty much worn what I wanted since I started working from home two years ago, a uniform that usually consists of comfortable wide-legged pants and a t-shirt most days. But since we’re not going out in public, I’m not hung up on some of the body issues that used to influence the way I dress.
No longer worried about who is going to be offended by my round post-kid belly or cleavage, I’ve been living in crop tops, tank tops, and sports bras, relishing the feeling of my round, shockingly pale flesh getting hit by sunlight as I take up chores around the house or write blog posts under the open window.
I have always loved the freedom of not being covered up, but it seems like even though I’m the kind of girl who rocks colorful hair and wears daring fashion choices, I’ve still been managing the way I dress for other people as long as I can remember. Not that that’s necessarily always a bad thing…I mean, where would we be if we didn’t have basic social expectations? We’ve all witnessed the darker boundaries of the human spirit on People of Walmart.
But what if we could embrace our newfound individualism while agreeing upon some basic standards of decency? You’ve heard of Black Tie, Business Casual, and Cocktail attire. We could call this new look COVID Casual.
I asked the Tulsa Moms Facebook group what COVID Casual looks they were rocking, and they did not disappoint.
From our editorial team at Vogue: Coffee Nebula, here are the top COVID Casual looks for this season.
1. Magical Masks
From N-95 Nouveau to Recycled T-Shirt Chic, by far the hottest look this season is the protective face mask. This is a look that says “I’ve got attitude,” and that attitude is “I care about you enough to not cough potentially deadly virus spit into your breathing holes.” The mask look will take you from queuing at Aldi next to that guy who won’t respect your space to socially distant front porch graduation parties and everything in between.
Bron and Arrow in this season’s matching blues
2. Casual Cosplay
If you’re going to be all dressed up with no place to go, why not dress as your favorite character?
Max in Purple Guy Cosplay
Arthur and Lucy in Minimalist Medieval
Tara and Joss in Bowie-inspired makeup
3. Corona Flags
The economy may be down, but we can show the world our spirits remain high by ironically embracing today’s answer to Hoover Flags and turning our pockets inside out a la Back to the Future Part 2 like Daniel here.
Daniel giving us Marty McFly’s kids time travel to Hooverville
4. Snuggie Sophisticate
Go all the way down to Cuddle Town with the ultimate summer look this season. From blankets to clothing made of blankets to blankets pretending to be clothing, we’ve seen it all this year on the runway. Just kidding, there is no runway, so wear literally whatever you want.
Madison and Hazel Rhianna Grande Pooperdoodle in As Seen on TV Casual
Jazzi in knock-off KKWs.
Rebecca in Ralphie’s Christmas Nightmare Part Deux.
5. Sweatin’ to the Moldies
If a tree falls in the forest and then never makes it to the gym, does anyone give a flying flip? No, because they’re watching Netflix. Nothing says COVID Casual like a look that says “Will she or won’t she work out?” and then answers its own question with “Who cares?”
Mo in Richard Simmons and the Temple of Laundry Room
This versatile look can take you from a car picnic to long walks through the semi-apocalyptic wasteland we once knew as Midtown and then back to literally doing nothing for hours while Cheetos collect on your chest.
Madison and Bayleigh in Car Seat Fleek.
Jessie, Mo, and Kenz in socially distant streetwear
Pairs well with this season’s hottest accessory: attached children.
Aspen accessorizing with Alexandria Dawn.
Kristine in mom sweats and barnacle-ized Emery
6. Chaotic Good
This stunning look gives us “Working from Home with Kids” and “It’s Noon and Mom’s Had Two Glasses of Wine.” Tutus, mismatched clothing, bare feet, dirt, underpants hats…anything goes.
Dexter and Grayson for Calvin Klein’s Bare Feet and Bubbles.
Selene rocking whatever the heck she feels like wearing.
Chaotic cousins Slater, Beckham, and Willa wearing Suburban Decay
Baker in a spring flat cap repurposed from sister’s underpants.
Reagan giving us Red Dirt Realness
Now that you’ve had a run-through of this season’s hottest looks, it’s time to put your best COVID looks on the virtual runway of social media. That’s why I’m declaring next week COVID Casual Spirit Week to help lift everyone’s spirits and remind everyone that masks are hot and healthcare workers are on fire.
Follow this guide to celebrate your own inspired fashion week, imagine yourself getting introduced by Pray Tell everywhere you go, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @coffeenebulakristi @tulsakids #covidcasual.
Thanks for reading, and as always, have a beautiful week in your little nebula!
Show Us Your Quarantine Fashion Photo Contest
TulsaKids Magazine is teaming up with Lolly Garden to bring you a Quarantine Fashion Photo Contest! Simply upload a photo representing your family’s COVID Casual-inspired look by June 7, and you could win a $100 gift card to Lolly Garden!
