If pressure makes diamonds, what can a stress test like, say, a global pandemic do for our style? Some might emerge having indulged in the pleasures of fully fleece-based ‘fits; others might resurface having fine-tuned their personal aesthetics until they more faithfully represent their inner workings than ever before. For the Personal Style Stalwart, the latter is coming true through lots of sartorial reflection, making some smart buys, and, yes, deep-quarantine solo fashion shows (what else was there to do anyway?). Together, these methods can result in a harder, better, and stronger way of dressing — something fashion editor Chelsea Peng can personally attest to. Ahead, discover how her look-at-me approach to style shifted (or didn’t) when her audience was drastically reduced, and how, with every foray into shearling and sweats, she’s styling her way to greater fashion freedom. 

My pre-pandemic style could be described as… “A very eclectic hodgepodge of references and influences that, all together, make up...me. There are always about 53 tabs open in my brain. Nobody would ever describe my personal style as minimal, that's for sure. I like volume, prints on prints on prints, suiting and co-ords, and weird/happy color combinations that make toddlers stop and stare on the street.”

But when the pandemic hit… “It would have been silly not to adapt as the world became more casual and inward-facing, because style is all about context, isn't it? The contexts in which I can present myself to the world have dwindled to but a handful, so like many of us, I've had to adapt my personal style to suit a state of ‘perma bodega run.’ I did wear sweatpants in public for the first time (an orange tie-dye pair with a clashy sock and loafers, but still).

My personal style evolved… “To the ‘at-home’ version of me. That said, barring my most formal eveningwear, I've been able to get at least one wear out of most everything in my closet, like say, a blue feather jacket, now paired with stirrup pants, a ballet slipper, and a merch T-shirt that supports a local cocktail bar (as opposed to a full going-out ‘fit, which would consist of a lavender feather top and rhinestone jeans). 

What I learned: “That I miss The Gaze, though we do still have a version of that with more of a cafe and park culture. It's still a teensy consideration that makes me put on a bra before embarking on a post-dinner stroll, but overall, lockdown has only affirmed my personal style as being fluid and supported by a series of choices and purchases that do reflect who I am.”

I’m The Personal Style Stalwart because… “The tie between my sense of style and self is stronger than ever. During the summer, I would go for solo walks wearing a cutout bubble-hem dress (a sample on loan from a fashion-designer friend), just for the feeling of being dressed up again. Even if it wasn't invading my fellow partygoers' personal space on a light-up dancefloor, this reminder of pre-lockdown life cheered me up in a time when I was beginning to question if fashion was important at all. But just like how integrity is how you behave when no one's around, true style is how you dress when you're without an audience: for yourself.”

My essentials include: “Suits! Though the slouchier '70s ones and not those whose trouser breaks require a heel. Also fun knits (including sweater vests), good denim (only two categories: perfect bum or the bigger and weirder the better), dad sneakers, and statement outerwear.”

The most surprising thing I discovered: “Lockdown louche is a whole different level that’s best described as ‘shipping merchant's ne'er-do-well son on a yacht holiday.’ I've always loved pajama dressing, but now it's with actual clothes I've worn to bed. And I did recently wear a pair of mini shearling boots to an outdoor film screening that caused quite a stir because I've never worn them before. (The consensus was, however, that they are on-brand for me. As I said, louche.)”

My favorite pandemic purchases are... “1) A pair of perfect-fitting — no cap — ‘70s teenage boy's jeans I found at a local vintage shop not 30 minutes after I broke up with someone by chucking their baseball jacket over their front gate and 2) an '80s fishtail-hem lace dress I had originally wanted for last year's apocalypse-themed birthday but ended up scoring (at a steep discount) four months later.”

My 2021 personal style will… “Be dressing in a way that’s even more joyful and loud and hopeful in anticipation of all the fun we'll have when we meet again. You know that meme that's like, ‘Can't wait until it's winter so I can really start dressing?’ That's me once the world can safely reopen.”