OK, we’re all staying at home, for the most part anyway, because of the COVID19 pandemic, aren’t we? That’s what I thought: we follow the instructions and hope that things get back to normal as soon as possible.
Here in Helsinki we’re not confined to our homes: social distancing is recommended, and any gatherings of more than 10 people are forbidden. But shops and restaurants are still open (although quite empty: Finns tend to follow the rules…). I’ve ventured out a few times, too, though only briefly and when it was necessary.
And this has become my outfit of choice for most days: loose drawstring trousers and a casual top. And when I ventured out, I just added a coat and some accessories.
This is ‘lazy dressing‘: just wear whatever is comfortable, and if you have to go out, just add sunglasses and a nice bag and pretend you made an effort to look presentable… It almost scares me to think what will happen to my sense of style if this situation continues much longer. I say it almost scares me as obviously the pandemic scares me even more. We have to put things in perspective, right?
By the way, in case you’re wondering who took these pictures: Professor M is back. Yes, he decided to wait out the pandemic here with me rather than stay in Scotland, and managed to get back just before the borders were closed. So, now he’s stuck here for a few weeks.
And we took these photos in our backyard. And when I say our backyard, I mean the communal backyard of this development. We live in a flat (a very small one, as we’re beginning to realise, but that’s another story). And the white wall you see here? OK, I let you in on a secret: it’s the little shed that houses the development recycling point…
Outfit details (all old)
coat: Sand / top : Selected Femme / trousers: PBO /
bag: Burberry / shoes: Fila
Tiina
How are you coping with the situation?
Linking up with:
Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, High Latitude Style, A Labour of Life, Curly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink, Not Dressed As Lamb, Living on Cloud Nine, Elegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Shelbee on the Edge, A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style Splash, Away from the Blue, Mummabstylish , Mutton Years Style and I, Independent Fashion Bloggers
It feels good to get out, we have small balcony and the weather is mild. Before we downsized we had an exercise bike and walking machine but we don’t have room now. My husband thought up the idea of using a small 3 step step-ladder to step up and down for about 10 minutes, it gets the heart going :). In Nice we have a curfew and the police are quite strict. We can go for a neighbourhood walk or to the shops. Keep cheerful if that’s the Finnish way.
Author
It’s times like these that prove how inventive we are! What a great idea for a workout. And I think it’s very important to take care of both your physical and mental health now.
We’re cooped up in a tiny flat, too. Of course, we have a huge balcony, but we never use it. It’s way too cold now (around 0 to +5) and in summer it turns into a sauna… We also go for walks in the neighbourhood, avoiding other people, it’s good to get out a bit every once in a while.
I’m sure this spring you can make the most of your balcony as very soon it will be warm enough. Especially if you have glazing in your balcony. I already tried to have my afternoon tea out on the deck the other day. We have an open deck and I thought it was sunny and warm enough to go out (in winter coat anyways). Unfortunately it was windy too, so it was a very quick cup. But I think had it been a balcony with glazing, I’d have managed a little longer tea time. -q
Author
Now I wish I had glazing… But no, unfortunately my balcony is a total mess. I don’t even have flowers (I’ve never been able to keep any plants alive for very long, so it makes no sense). Maybe that should be me next project…
By the looks of your outfit the weather is not too bad. Is this so? We just had a major reversal from spring to deep snow in Bulgaria. Fortunately here on the coast we only have rain, but really cold again. Our capital is covered in snow now and there was hardly any all winter – crazy hey! Glad Prof M managed to get back in time.
Author
Oh, the weather has been quite mild, around 0 to +5, but we even had some snow for a while. That is, for about a day… Yes, the weather has been crazy. We’ve had just a few days (all winter) when the temperature (just barely) dropped below zero. This time last year I was knee-deep in snow!
Lovely – a subdued palette and glamorous bag make the outfit look very chic. Our house is tiny and we have a small garden it is going to be “interesting” in the next few weeks – so it is good to find ways to stay human and dressing the part even in a lovely relaxed way is so important
Author
Thanks, Juliet.
To be honest, I think we also need days when we don’t even try to get dressed and look presentable (I’m writing this in my pyjamas, thinking whether it’s necessary to shower and wash my hair as I have no plans to go anywhere… Oh dear, this is bad…)
we can be human – thats allowed 🙂
We love this idea, in our country we are in quarantine, with all this situation the style is disappearing, we are trying to fix their hair so as not to look so bad and a little lipstick to match our pajamas.☺️
https://www.lavieenrosechic.com/2020/03/italian-and-french-style.html?m=1
Author
Oh well, this situation gives new meaning to ‘bed hair’, doesn’t it? I think we only need to start worrying when we start wearing our pyjamas to go to the neighbourhood shop…
I love this stylish casual outfit. The coat is fabulous! I’ve just found a few striped tops that were packed away, so they’ll be good for Spring. Let’s hope this passes soon and we can relax and get back to some kind of normal. Thanks for linking up, take care!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Author
Thanks, Emma.
I’m about to start spring cleaning my wardrobe. It will be nice to find everything I packed away, but so difficult to get rid of things I want to toss at the moment. Can’t wait for things to get back to normal!
Tiina, I love your quarantine style! It is the perfect mix of prints and colors and totally fashionable while being comfortable, too. I have mostly been in leggings, sweatpants, or pajama pants for the past 2 weeks. Here in New York we are pretty much on complete lockdown so I have not gone too far from home except for the occasional walk or little drive to a remote place to snap a few outfit photos on the few days that I do feel compelled to wear actual clothes. I like to isolate myself inside my house for 2-3 months at a time before I feel the need for real life human interaction. And since I just returned from a 10 day road trip right before this all happened, I am totally fine with some forced isolation. Other than having my kids home all day, not much is different for me. Just relaxing and enjoying the peaceful days without tremendously pressing obligations. I am glad that Professor M is home with you even though it is making you realize how small your living space is. Hang in there! And thanks for linking up.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Thanks! Well, I guess we’re all in sweatpants most of the time, at home… We’re not in lockdown, but we’re not supposed to go anywhere (except grocery shopping or for a walk) either. So, no need to dress up, really.
Hi Tiina
Love your outfit for color and comfort! Pretty scarf! It has been warm here the last 2 days and I try and get out and go for a walk with the pups – getting some fresh air!
thanks for lnking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylih.com
Author
Thanks!
Yes, getting some fresh air makes all the difference, even if it’s just a walk in the neighbourhood.
I like the print mixing and it’s nice you’re able to still get out and not be inside all the time. They have let restaurants be open here but they do takeaway only, and we aren’t supposed to travel too far. The biggest supermarket near us is in the next suburb so I haven’t been following the rules to stay in my suburb, but that is the only trip we make now the schools are closed and we are working from home. Definitely an interesting time!
Thank you so much for joining the #weekdayWearLinkUp 🙂 I just posted this week’s linkup, I’d love you to join again! 🙂
Hope that you had a great weekend! 🙂 We had a quiet one at home of course!
Author
It’s the same here now with restaurants: takeaway only. But it feels like such a luxury now, to get food someone else has prepared. It’s odd how all those little things we used to take for granted now seem so special, isn’t it?