How #DressUpFriday Became The Lockdown Distraction We All Needed

You'll no doubt be familiar with Dress Down Friday – the one day a week where corporate types can swap their suits for the joys of smart-casual. But now that we’re in a permanent state of dressing down, a new hashtag is picking up steam – and it’s encouraging us all to end the week on a more polished note.

#DressUpFriday is the latest in a string of new sartorial hashtags, from #WFHFITS to #OOTDIfICouldGoAway, geared towards dressing in the time of Covid-19. Scroll through the 11k and counting posts on Instagram and you’ll get the gist of the look: a dress in a dramatic shape or bold print, plus the kind of heels you’d wear on a night out-out.

Influencer and stylist Monikh Dale is a pro when it comes to dressing up for your sofa. ‘I’ve worked from home for five years and have found that keeping a routine – getting up, working out, getting dressed – is key to staying motivated.’ What lockdown has changed, though, is that she’s no longer saving her best for special occasions. ‘I pulled out a gorgeous two-piece the other day and realised I had only worn it four times. It was expensive so I saved it for special moments which, when I think about it now, doesn’t make sense. Now I’m wearing my best pieces all the time until they fall apart – and I’m really happy about it.’

Meanwhile Tamu McPherson, the Milan-based influencer and photographer, has started posting outfits with the hashtag #prettylockdown as a way to focus on the positive side of her new reality. ‘I’ve been going through my closet and rediscovering favourites. I'm currently loving a Jil Sander by Raf Simons paisley suit.'

Dressing up is also a form of self-care. The designer Stine Goya, famous for her larger-than-life prints and sunny colour combinations, has been wearing kick-flare trousers and an acid-bright dress in orange and mint when she needs a boost. ‘It’s good to make the effort to feel special so that the repetitive nature of day-to-day [life] doesn’t become unbearable.’

Of course, the best reason to dress up is that it’s fun. ‘I love to entertain my followers with my outfits,’ says influencer Erika Boldrin. ‘They are always asking me to style pieces in different ways.’ The jeweller Maria Black has even launched an ear party on Instagram. ‘Since people couldn’t come to us to try on jewellery, we’ve taken the party online,’ she says. Just take an ear selfie on Instagram Stories, swipe up, type “Maria Black” into the GIF section and decorate your ear from the selection of jewellery.

‘It’s so fun and let’s you imagine how the different piercing placements look,’ she says. The best ear party will be chosen each week and the winner gets a gift card for €250. The best news of all (for those who aren’t converted to #DressUpFriday)? ‘This allows you to stay in your sweatpants,’ says Maria.