In praise of dressing up for a virtual birthday party – and how to master the look – Telegraph.co.uk

Among the many new realities we are having to adjust to thanks to Covid-19 is making birthday celebrations count, even when physical parties are not an option. There have been ingenious solutions to make festivities feel special, with videos showing childrens friends driving by withtheir parentstooting car horns or streets coming onto their doorsteps to sing going viral on social media. For the fashion-inclined, donning a smart dress is proving the most cheering way to get into the party mood.

Before lockdown measures were introduced, Daisy Hoppen, the founder of DH PR agency which counts Ganni, Shrimps and Rejina Pyo among its clients, had planned relaxed birthday celebrations with her nearest and dearest. I was hoping to see my family and friends nothing spectacular but I had planned to be at my mothers with all my sisters eating home made curry on the sofa watching one of our favourite movies together, she explains. Then also seeing friends, again for something just low key after three months of fashion weeks, I was just looking forward spending time with family and friends.

But the most simple, normal of plans were out of the window when stay at home measures were introduced in mid-March, just before Hoppens 35th birthday. I am very lucky some of my close friends organised a digital pub quiz for me it was all their idea and they kindly worked out the logistics of doing this only a short time into lock down when most of us were getting our heads around Zoom / House Party / Google Hangouts!

It wouldnt be a fashion girls birthday party if dressing up wasnt involved and even though Hoppen was self isolating alone, an appearance on Zoom (and Instagram) offered the perfect excuse for a fabulous, mood-boosting look. I decided that if I was home alone then I might as well wear something that makes me feel happy, she reflects. I recognise that I am in an incredibly fortunate position to have even the option to wear a nice dress as well as have a home when times are so uncertain for everyone.

With a roster of clients who specialise in trophy frocks, Hoppen had her pick but in the end opted for a shimmering gold party dress by The Vampires Wife, the label loved by everyone from Kate Moss to the Duchess of Cambridge and founded by Susie Cave, former model and wife of Nick Cave. Susie is a designer who understands what makes women feel special and creates such beautiful dresses. I perhaps wouldnt have worn this dress to the pub, butone of her shorter mini ones instead, she says. But given that I was working until 10 minutes before my pub quiz this dress seemed perfect, as it needed nothing else, no jewellery or make up as it does everything for you.

If birthday parties in normal times often involve choosing a pair of shoes and sticking with them, then one of the upsides of a virtual celebration was that Hoppen could effortlessly switch from Manolos to slippers when the mood took her; A floor length dress is generally better with heels but as the quiz went on, my Celtic and Co slippers were easier for pottering around in and topping up my drink.

Accessorised with a Martini, Hoppen joined her virtual guests, many of whom had made an effort to dress up, too. But if anything, she says that celebrating her birthday like this has made her appreciate the simple gestures which have come to mean so much to all of us at such an unfamiliar moment.

Just seeing all my friends and family on the screen together was all I needed. My friend Hannah Weiland (the founder of Shrimps) and her family had made a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday over the screen at the end of the quiz it was one of the most special things and really made me smile. Add to that cards in the post and flowers, which Hoppen is now pressing as a memory of a birthday like no other. I feel like I had a birthday that made me realise I am very lucky in todays world and still got to see my friends and family even if it was over a screen.

Puff sleeved blouse, 155,Ganni; Princely flats, 139,Kurt Geiger; Satin midi skirt, 65,& Other Stories; Balloon sleeve jumpsuit, 200,Uterque; Cameron earrings, 275,Rejina Pyo; Polka dot halterneck dress, 165,Kitri

Its been so crucial to have a routine when you are solo isolating I have found, says Hoppen. I am making sure I exercise early and then change into working clothes. There are the days where I just feel like wearing a lovely comfy tracksuit (Olivia von Halle or Le Kasha are my favourites) but also I have really enjoyed wearing dresses, skirts and jewellery. I am not saving things for the future I am wearing what I still love now and the same goes for eating from a lovely plate or drinking from a special glass that you need to wash up by hand.

Hoppen is not alone. The hashtags #dressupfriday and #saturdaynightfever have prompted glamorous outfit sharing on Instagram in recent weeks. In previous busy lives, the prospect of a night in in loungewear might have seemed blissful but now its the chance to don our finery which brings a thrill. And a virtual birthday party is the best of excuses.

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In praise of dressing up for a virtual birthday party - and how to master the look - Telegraph.co.uk

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero