I’m not someone who has ever really enjoyed black – yes I know that might sound shocking from someone who works in fashion. We are told black is a staple and should be in everyone’s wardrobe, but it’s just not for me. I try to wear colour, most of the time; it makes me feel more like myself. However like most people I just outright sometimes cannot be bothered to be creative with an outfit and to make an effort to dress up. It’s just sometimes, well, always easier in the morning rush to grab the easiest and comfiest thing we own and wear on repeat. Anyone else?
Enter this experiment. You may be wondering why I have decided to dress like it’s my last day on earth every day for a week. Well, I have been influenced and inspired by Louise Thompson, who has documented what some people might call “getting her spark back” on social media after her health troubles and time in hospital this year.
She has started an Instagram series, where she basically wears her “nicest and brightest clothes” to ensure she feels the best she can, even if she isn’t going anywhere – and I’m here for it. The clothes that you leave at the back of your wardrobe, have worn once or are saving for that special occasion, it’s time to bring them out in the name of feel good fashion. Challenge accepted! I dressed like it was my last day on earth for a week and here’s how it went…
Day 1
After already thinking about what I actually want to get out of this experiment, I decided to get my creative juices flowing and choose the brightest outfit I could find in my wardrobe. For me that means head to toe dressing like a ray of sunshine. Or a giant lemon, I’ll let you decide.
It helps that London is in a heatwave and so fighting off the latest holiday blues whilst at work, and being able to still show off my tan is a result. It’s safe to say I think I brightened everyone’s mood with this fit check, and my own. Result!
Day 2
Brat girl summer is having a moment, according to Charli XCX, if you know you know. So I reached for this bright green sleeveless blazer and purple skirt combo.
One thing I’m already noticing about this experiment is I am pushing the boundaries, making myself wear things I’ve literally only worn once or twice and finding new things to get excited about; that were basically on the floor of my wardrobe. Note to self: organization is key. Even if Barney the dinosaur is your fashion inspiration I would take that as a positive, seeing as he is a feel good character, right?
Today’s thought whilst I was running around London grabbing clothes for a shoot (yes that’s actually my job) was that nobody else actually cares what you are wearing, it’s all a reflection of how you want to perceive yourself in the world. We’re already on deep thoughts and it’s only day two.
Day 3
With London’s heatwave in full swing, it was only necessary that I grabbed this pink strappy printed maxi dress to swan around the city in. Now I did feel a bit like SJP, I think the crimped hair also added to the ensemble, not because I styled it but because it was too hot to dry it properly. This was a perfect example of an outfit I have been saving for an occasion and the last day on earth challenge just altered my brain into thinking, “Why should I wait to wear it? What if the occasion never comes?” I would say that’s a definite positive outcome already.
Let me tell you, I also had two strangers stop me in the street and compliment my outfit, which not only gave me a low-key ego boost, but also inspired me to keep on going – if someone else is getting a dopamine hit by your outfit also, then that’s surely a win-win?
Day 4
As the week continues I reach for this all-blue number, because why the hell not? I have things to do around the house, work emails and a zoom call so why should I not feel my best (note I’m really into this now) even if that means sequins and cowboy boots on a random Thursday? Oh and showing my 80-year-old neighbours my outfit, (they’re tik tok famous). They described me looking like a planet in the sky and a twinkling star. I’ll take that as a compliment.
Day 5
Another shoot day and another print-on-print. I’ve realised from this week, how much I really do enjoy clashing different colours and prints together, the result being this outfit. My thoughts of being too over the top for a work day have left my mind and instead I’m focusing on what should always be the most important thing – what do I want to wear today and how do I want to feel? In this case, it’s like a big flower.
Day 6
The penultimate day got me thinking about how far I can really go, and will the more OTT the outfit, make me feel even better about myself? Enter THE dress. Now, not that I had anywhere to go, but this pink tulle beauty has been sitting in my “styling room slash second bedroom” waiting for me to try on and let me tell you, it instantly lifted my mood. I ended up staying in it for most of the day and didn’t want to take it off. I did debate going to Aldi to the weekly shop but thought that was a step too far, maybe that will be another series. Watch this space…
Day 7
With the week at an end I wanted to push the style boat again, in another outfit I would usually save for an occasion. The last time I wore it was to go to the Mamma Mia the party (which is saying something) but I genuinely feel I have completely changed my outlook on ‘getting dressed’ – it is by far the most significant part of the day, right? After coffee of course. I feel way more confident in choosing an outfit to make me feel good about myself and not be worried about standing out in a print or bright colour, because life’s too short to wear boring outfits.
What I Learned From Dressing Like It’s My Last Day on Earth
Well, not to keep all the good outfits at the back of my wardrobe because they will just gather dust, to make an effort to wear the outfits I would usually put in the “occasion wear pile” when realistically, who am I kidding, I’m in bed most nights by 9pm and my neighbours probably have a busier social life than me.
On a more serious note, sometimes we are all just too consumed with other people’s thoughts and how we think we will be perceived – but who genuinely cares if you’re wearing sequins in the morning to watch Netflix and take the bins out? Who really cares if you go food shopping in an evening dress? If that’s what will bring you your spark then why the hell not. So this is your sign to embrace the dopamine, wear the outfit and dress like it’s your last day on earth.
Lara Grayson is a highly experienced freelance fashion and celebrity stylist based in London. With over a decade of industry expertise, she has worked across editorial, commercial, and television platforms. In addition to PS, her portfolio includes collaborations with prominent publications such as Fabulous magazine, OK!, S Magazine, and Notebook.
