As I scroll through my favourite sites right now, all I'm seeing are spotlights on sweatpants and sweatshirts [1], workout clothes, and loungewear [2]. Since we're not around anyone besides the people we live with right now, it's an excuse to get cosy and comfortable. For me, sweatpants are certainly comfortable clothing, but I don't feel like myself when I wear them. If that's the case, then it begs the question: in a time where comfort is king, what does dressing comfortably actually mean?

My general aversion to sweatpants [3] comes from my mother, who worked in fashion and was always dressed. One day, in middle school when I forgot my lunch, my mom dropped it off for me in a blue dress, strappy stilettos, and a pretty major turquoise necklace. She was on her way to a meeting, but I'll never forget how powerful and beautiful she looked. Both my parents always taught me that if I wanted to command respect, one of the easiest ways to do that was in how I presented myself. Clothes became my armor, and my way to express how I felt. To me, there's really nothing that feels better than the confidence that comes with a good outfit.

I also grew up in the age of athleisure, and especially as someone who likes to work out, I love a great legging [4]. The evolution that workout clothes have had in recent years is incredible; gone are the days of ratty t-shirts and baggy gym shorts. But, if I had brunch plans with a friend, I would time my workout so that I could shower and change before our meal. I don't like to do too much in my workout clothes besides working out. I see getting dressed for an appointment as an act of respect for the other person. To be clear, this isn't a war on sweatpants but, rather, a commitment to not giving up your personal style. If you feel awesome in sweatpants, please, go on living your best life.

I see sweatpants as the comfort food I never had as a child, and thereby don't crave as an adult. In a time of great uncertainty, where we're all looking for both literal and metaphorical comfort food, I'm finding solace in the clothes I've always loved. I may not have a place to wear them right now [5], but that won't always be the case. And at the moment, I may not have any appointments to go to, but I'm still showing up, as an act of self-respect. On mornings where I wake up late, I put on my workout clothes, because they inspire me to get moving after work. On Thursday I grabbed a beloved t-shirt dress that was soft and feminine. Last night, after I worked out, I put on jeans and a striped t-shirt for dinner, a go-to outfit for me. It wasn't much, but it was everything.