I never liked alarms. A loud, obnoxious sound designed to interrupt my sleep is quite frankly the worst. But when I get excited about an outfit, my alarm is a welcoming sound. It’s almost like it’s saying: “Get up, girl! We’ve got places to be so people can see us.”

Last spring, I grew especially excited to get up and start my days. I started thrifting for a lot of my clothes and felt like I was finally expressing my true self through my clothing—baggy sweaters, turtlenecks, blazers, and statement earrings. But when Emerson told us to pack up and leave amid the ever-spreading COVID-19 pandemic, everything changed. Suddenly my love of layering and showing off my thrifted finds disappeared.

Don’t get me wrong, I made an effort to wake up and get myself ready during the first few weeks of Zoom University from my kitchen in Virginia. I put jeans on—JEANS—to sit in my house and participate in a class where I could only be seen from the chest up. When I realized that no one cared about what pants I had on, I started only dressing up my top half. Sweatpants became my go-to. Then, when Zoom became too draining, I switched to sweaters and leggings. And eventually, I stopped using the video component so I could roll out of bed and “show up” to class in my pajamas and a face mask. I was in a fashion funk, to say the least. And that fashion funk followed me back to Boston.

Like most people, I dressed up for my first week of in-person classes. I was so excited to finally have somewhere to go where I could be stylish while also being safe. But after getting used to my schedule—where I typically have one in-person class and one online class per day—I noticed myself slipping into a funk again. Why get dressed for my 8 a.m. when my 10 a.m. was online? I could save so much time if I just started my day in sweatpants and didn’t have to change outfits, right? I could even get more sleep since I wouldn’t have to stand in front of my wardrobe and choose an outfit. Although all of this is true, I found that starting every day in my favorite gray sweatpants just isn’t healthy for my mental health or self-esteem. Instead of feeling awake and motivated, I felt sleepy and depressed.

Everyone needs sweatpants days every now and then. In fact, I fully support changing out of uncomfortable clothes once class is over. But why not boost your self-esteem with that cute shirt you got on vacation or those jeans your sister gave you for your birthday? I like to feel good about myself. I like to feel productive. And for me, starting off my day in clothes that energize me and make me feel involved in my day helps me maintain a happy mind and a happy soul.

Fashion FOMO