A Dalek homeschools while Shrek heads to the supermarket to buy gin!

Frome’s ‘fancy’ dress fashion trend goes worldwide!

A FROME Facebook group has been encouraging people to get dressed up to help boost their mental health during lockdown.

Frome local, Ginny Adams started the ‘Dress up Fridays’ group as a place for people to share pictures and videos of them going about their daily lockdown lives – be it a trip to the supermarket or their daily exercise – in their glad rags, or even in fancy dress.

And what started as a fun idea among a few friends has built to over 600 members, with members from as far as Thailand.

“For those spending more time at home it can be quite easy to stay in nightwear all day,” explains Ginny, “even forgetting to brush teeth or hair and neglecting these basic self care actions can have a detrimental effect on your mental health.

“I dress up as a character as part of my job running Mojo Moves – an online exercise class – as my alter ego Cheryl Sprinkler and I know how powerful the act of “’getting ready’ can be in boosting my mood, preparing me for the task ahead and keeping me sane.

“I thought it would be fun to see people getting their glad rags on to run mundane errands or being all dressed up with nowhere to go but embracing home working or putting out the recycling in a flamboyant or glamorous outfit.”

“What has become apparent is that the outfits didn’t need to be outlandish or uber glamorous to help give lockdown a lift as people started to share pictures of themselves wearing lipstick for the first time in a year or putting on their sale purchase which had been gathering dust in a carrier bag since restrictions to stay at home were once again enforced.

“I always remember my Nan would put her curlers in every night and get dressed every day in her little flat and put in her lipstick on even though she wasn’t going anywhere because it made her feel ready to face the day. Routine is a very useful tool in maintaining your mental well-being.”

Ginny runs Mojo Moves comedy aerobics, which is all about finding your mojo through dance fitness and laughter and she’s always looking for new ways to engage with the community and cheer people up. 

“We’ve had such a variety of posts from a couple dressing as Shrek and Fiona to buy their gin at Waitrose, to a woman who has the most fabulous retro wardrobe with wigs and accessories to match, to a man in full army gear on a supermarket ‘mission’, to displays of hats, home hair cuts and dyes, glossy lips and children’s cartoon characters ‘Sarah & Duck’.

“We even had a Dalek homeschooling her son!

“It’s such a sweet and positive online space when we’re so often told stories of trolling and shaming and so nice for everyone to be able to give and receive compliments.”  

Search for the group on Facebook – Dress up Fridays.