Have you been getting dressed lately? What are you grabbing? Last week I wrote something of a defense of getting dressed. And today, I must confess, more times than not, I’m grabbing the fanciest sweats I own. They cut right above the knee. They have a seam right in the middle, and can be worn high above the belly-button for tucked in turtlenecks or oversized blouses. The work at night when I’m shifting gears from teacher, to writer back to mom.
One early evening a few weeks back, I wore the entire set, tucked in at first, then out. I slid on loafers and put on a purse from my friend, Samantha. My orange beret made it feel particulary fancy, and when the night cooled and I had to make one more social distanced run for something I forgot, I was taken back by how good it looked layered with a trench and sneakers.
In conversations lately, it isn’t just about what you’re wearing at home, or if you’re getting dressed, it’s also about what fashion brands are worth the support….
Considering many of us are pulling the reins on our budgets. Most days, I wear a combination of women designers. They are not just items I like and feel good in, they are pieces by people who I want to see thrive and come out on the other side of this. So if you’re looking for a dress to wear in May for the first outting, please consider this by my friend Jenna and Cary, Taylor Jay, Mara and Mengly. And of course, this magic sweat suit by Ilana Kohn, who makes warrior ensembles. Truly.
Aside from texture and these ladies above, lets chat about dressing irl warriors; the people on the front lines. Here are just a few brands who are making PPE’s, donating money, and generally supporting those who’s uniforms are a bit less fancy and entirely more important and functional:
+ EILEEN FISHER partnered with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (@repmaloney) and the Economic Development Corporation to create gowns, masks, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers who are on the frontlines of helping people with the Novel Coronavirus. To donate or learn more about how you can help hospitals across the country. You can find out more right here.
+ Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation has provided $5 million to the following organizations to immediately mobilize a broad response working with on-the-ground partners that include Direct Relief, Feeding America, Partners in Health, The World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the International Rescue Committee, and others.
Funds will support: Local food banks serving at-risk communities and the elderly in the United States; Acceleration of testing and care in countries like Haiti and Malawi, as well as the mobilization of resources and additional capacity and support for Native communities; Protective equipment for frontline health workers and diagnostic labs, the establishment and maintenance of intensive care units, and acceleration of the development of vaccines and other therapies across the globe; Healthcare worker training, virus prevention and containment in countries that will be on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response; and, the distribution of critical respiratory supplies.
+ Christian Siriano and his team were one of the first brands to make 1,000 washable and bleachable masks in 3 days for those that satnd on New York’s front line.
+ Gucci will stand with its global community to fight the COVID-19 pandemic by making two separate donations to crowdfunding campaigns: locally, in Italy where the company is based, for the Italian Civil Protection Department (Protezione Civile) in partnership with Intesa Sanpaolo; and globally, for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund in support of the World Health Organization, through a matching campaign with Facebook.
Everyone is invited to make a donation to the Solidarity Response Fund for WHO through the “donate” feature available in the IG stories on www.instagram.com/Gucci. Starting tomorrow, Gucci will also put its social media accounts, at the disposal of the World Health Organization.
+ Club Monaco joined with the Ralph Lauren Corporation in the production of 250,00 masks and 25,000 isolation gowns with their U.S manufacturing partners. They’ve also donated $10 million in funding toward COVID-19
+ On the ground, there’s an inspiring effort to make masks at home with tutorials. And my dear friend, Alexa told me about this one which is a collaboration with NYU (our hopsital of choice here in NYC, that we are so thankful for).
What sweats (if any) are you wearing? And any brands I missed?
(Photos taken a few weeks back. This post includes affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. With that said, I only link things I love or truly would wear or use. This blog is a small business, and as such, your support is greatly appreciated during this time)
