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Over the course of the past year, I have drifted in and out of a number of dressing patterns. Each involved varying degrees of effort, but always aimed for high marks in overall comfort and ease.
The first week of quarantine in late March, I, like many out there lucky enough to stay home, wore nothing but pajamas at all hours of the day. At the time, I must admit it felt like a real treat—until I was forced to turn on my Zoom camera. After that came my Paul Bunyan moment, consisting of long johns and big flannel shirts, which occurred in tandem with my extended trip home to Minnesota. At some point in late spring, I tried my hand at Zoom tops, but it was short-lived. At the end of the day, I found that no puff-sleeve thing could ever live up to the comfort of a worn-in T-shirt or cozy oversized sweater.
And while I have landed on a winter uniform that consists of mostly chunky, androgynous knits and soft cotton turtlenecks à la Steve Jobs, I’ve recently found myself reincorporating my most dainty and feminine accessories back into the mix. It began with a ruffled detachable collar, then a pair of two-tone drop earrings, followed by a bejeweled headband, my favorite pearly barrettes, and finally, a crystal brooch—the last item I ever thought I’d find myself donning for a remote Zoom meeting (save, perhaps, for my favorite pair of Prada platform sandals, which are currently crammed inside of a six-by-six-foot storage unit).
As it turns out, I am tired of looking bland and comfortable (though I’m certainly not tired of feeling comfortable), and I have found that the best way to have my cake and eat it too, via Zoom, is to accessorize with a few special, webcam-ready bits that will give the illusion of a thoughtful, sophisticated ensemble without having to ditch my cozy basics. In this dead of winter, as we trudge through the woes of seasonal depression and a pandemic-borne mix of boredom and anxiety, what little we can do to brighten the mood—be it sparkly, heart-shaped, or frilled—is important.
Below, the best and brightest in neck-up accessories, which are sure to bring joy to your day (and that of those with whom you Zoom).
