Love Actually, Sick Days, and Style
Don't come for me when I tell you what my favorite scene in Love Actually is, just hear me out...
One of my favorite Christmas movies of all time is Love Actually. For one thing it has Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in it playing romantic leads, it’s set in London for the most part, it has a cover of Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas, and it’s heartbreaking, and lovely at the same time.
There are several amazing scenes in this movie, and most people who love this movie can name several that just stick with you…
However,… trigger warning!
What I’m about to say is a very hot take so please don’t come for me, and if you do, just hear me out first, please.
One of my favorite scenes of the entire movie, if not my favorite scene, is actually when Jamie Bennett, played by Colin Firth, is getting ready to go to work in the morning. He’s in his bedroom, flirting with his girlfriend who is still in bed. His girlfriend, has decided to stay home because she’s “sick,” and looks to be fighting a cold.
Spoiler alert: She’s not sick, she’s pretending to be sick so she can stay home and carry on the affair she’s been having with Jamie’s brother, Mark.
No, I don’t believe in cheating on your S.O. No, I don’t like infidelity. No, I don’t believe in hurting Colin Firth, I mean, Jamie Bennett even if it’s just pretend, (and let’s be honest, those that scorn Colin Firth in movies live to regret it by the time the movie’s over — Pride and Predjudice… *ahem *ahem).
What I do believe in, or should I say LOVE about this scene, is that although she’s supposedly sick, she’s wearing a perfectly, ever-so-slightly, oversized, blue, turtleneck, knit sweater (or jumper, if you’re across the pond), with what appear to be cashmere or wool socks with boxers, and that’s it; and it’s everything.
I may be thinking about this now because I’ve been sick for two weeks and have had to keep calm, and carry on despite feeling like complete $h!&, but I have to say I always think about that scene during the holidays and when I’m feeling under the weather, and the following questions come to mind:
Why do I insist on just throwing on sweats every time I feel sick? Why not a cozy, warm, snuggly sweater?
I’m always cold, so when I’m sick, why not grab some wool or cashmere socks to help make me feel better?
Why is the default for me always to throw on clothing that I care nothing about? Why not put on something that I love and that makes me feel good? Wouldn’t that only help?
So, while I’ve been battling this cold for the last two weeks, I decided to finally put in some effort to be more intentional with my clothing despite feeling horrible, and honestly I forgot to take photos last week, so here are photos from this week to give you a sense of how I netted out (in all fairness it’s only Tuesday so I don’t have many).
I think what you will see is that on Sunday, I looked like I rolled out of bed in sweats and stayed that way all day. You’re not wrong. Come Monday (yesterday), I put in a little more effort and threw on my Dudley Stephens black Park Slope fleece turtleneck. I have literally had it for years and it’s super warm, lightweight, and comfortable without being restrictive. Pair that with some black leggings and my Panda Dunks, and I was good to go grab my large, black, iced coffee from Dunkin.
Tuesday (today), I threw on this Hellessy sweater I have literally had for years. It’s the softest, warmest, most luxurious sweater I own and I got several compliments today over Zoom and when I went to go pickup my kids from school. I would literally wear it to bed if I hadn’t worn it all day. It’s that good.
What have I learned from three days of thinking about how I dress for days when I give zero f’s and feel like pond scum? See below:
What I Learned About Getting Dressed When Sick
Wear a sweater. It may not seem like it matters, but it does. I literally felt better having a sweater or a fleece on. It felt like a warm hug, and I felt physically comforted all day long.
Get a great pair of cashmere or wool socks. Mine aren’t pictured here, but when you’re sick, having cold feet makes everything so much worse. Spare yourself the agony and just do it.
Sweats are easy. The catch is, they will only support and amplify how crappy you feel. Don’t make yourself feel worse. Save the sweats for a workout.
Thanks for reading! And remember, whatever you WFH, I hope you feel beautiful in it.