From working from home and at-home workouts to virtual gigs and online dating, almost every aspect of our lives has moved online over the past twelve months. Industries big and small have had to adapt to the so-called "new normal" to deliver their products under ever changing restrictions.
The fashion industry, in particular, had to pivot quickly to adjust the current climate as catwalks lay empty across the globe and fashion trends gave way to leggings and fluffy socks. With so many of us only viewable from the waist up on Zoom calls, comfort has become key when it comes to the work wardrobe.
However, that's not to say the industry is necessarily suffering.
Over the past year, many of us have found ourselves clearing out wardrobes - donating dresses, tops and old jewellery to charity shops - and finding ourselves with plenty of empty shelves to fill. Not only that, but with lockdown dragging on, the delivery drivers of Ireland have been put to work as we shop for runners and squat-proof leggings to match our new athletic lifestyles of daily walks and sea swims.
Read more: A personal shopper's guide to Spring/Summer 2021 trends
Before you get your credit card out though, it's important to remember that your wardrobe should be long-lasting. The aim of the game is to build a capsule wardrobe that can survive any season, with quality items that will stand the test of time.
We caught up with Clara Halpin, the Head of Personal Shopping for Arnotts, to find out what we should be investing in, the biggest mistakes Irish shoppers make, and how she has adapted to life online.
When it comes to working directly with customers, Clara says that she and her team have been sending photos over WhatsApp, recording videos of items to show how they move and look under certain light, and booking in Zoom calls to get an idea of a potential client's style.
"I'll ask them to send me an image of themselves so I can get an idea of their colouring, and then I can tailor the pull as if they were sitting here beside me," she insists.
"I'm amazed at how successful we continue to be. "The video calls are going well too; the appointments are quicker and we can do it all, I've been doing bra fittings over Zoom. I tell them to have their measuring tapes ready and we'll go through the fitting."
"You can not underestimate a good bra," she continues. "Getting your bra fitted correctly will alter your shape because the clothes will hang differently."
When it comes to her most commonly asked questions, Clara says that Irish people most often struggle with the idea of smart-casual clothing. Which, of course, is the most popular dress code of a working wardrobe in a pandemic.
"Occasion wear has changed because weddings and events have been off and on and off again so people are choosing more relaxed pieces in general," she explains.
"Even pre-pandemic, people were OK wearing suits to work but I saw a big demand for personal shopping when workwear got more relaxed. People want to look well in their Zoom but they want to be comfortable so it's about finding those key pieces and pulling them together."
As for the biggest shopping mistake Irish people make, Clara believes we need to step away from Instagram and be a bit more realistic about our day to day needs.
"Look at your lifestyle and look at where you are spending your time," she says. "If you work five days a week then that means a chunk of your wardrobe should revolve around your workwear. If you go to the gym four times a week, invest in some good gym gear."
"Then you need to figure out your personality in terms of your style. Are you more classic? Are you more romantic or bohemian? That takes some time to figure out, and often our style changes over time. This is where the personal shoppers come in to help out."
Finally, if you are someone who has an over flowing wardrobe and nothing to wear, it might be time to evaluate your colour palette and your shape.
"Shape and colour are key to building a wardrobe that works," says Clara. "If someone tells me they wear a bit of everything, I know where they have gone wrong. There's no point buying brown boots if you have nothing to go with them so try to work within a certain colour palette."
"Be considerate in what you're buying," she continues. "Spend money on the areas where you feel more challenged. If you find it hard to pick up tops, that's the area you should invest in."