The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown in several parts of the world is making people rethink the way they work, shop and love.

When your basic needs and safety are at risk, something strange for us here in the first world, the urge to ensure survival makes us do what we can to increase our chances of making it. Stocking up on non-perishable food, baby formula, diapers, cleaning supplies, medications and toilet paper seemed like the natural thing to do for many Americans as lockdown measures started to be implemented. And understandably so.

What were people not running to buy: clothes, shoes and accessories. Anything that doesn’t increase your chances of survival or ties up scarce resources is a bad idea.  It’s not just me saying it. The people have spoken.

These are 3 things you definitely do not need in a pandemic.

1. Jeans in different colors and styles

Working from home, I rarely wear jeans anyway, but if I do, it will certainly bee the most comfortable pair I own: stretchy, no holes or gimmicks, no vintage thick fabrics. I don’t have time for the new flare denim of the season or baggy boyfriend styles. Give me my old pair of regular skinny jeans and get out of my way.

My Everlane jeans, an example of useful, versatile everyday denim

I had these old Guess jeans that I loved the idea of. I just didn’t love them.

Vintage Guess jeans that I gave away because they were not practical

What to wear instead: your best pair of jeans and any pair of leggings or yoga pants you own. Do not buy new ones, just find something comfortable that allows you to run through supermarket aisles to minimize your exposure (BTW: do not go to the supermarket, that is what Instacart is for).

 2. Cute baby clothes (or grown-up clothes)

I would argue you never need cute baby clothes, even if we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic, but we buy them ’cause they are CUTE. Nowadays, I simply can’t find a use for all the cute baby clothes I have. My baby lives in pajamas and I’m ok with that. I think she’s also ok with it. I wonder why pajamas are not the go-to everyday wear for adults too.

Baby wearing panda bear pajamas next to a dog that looks like a panda bear

When it comes to clothes for yourself, it can be tempting to go on online shopping sprees, after all, you have all that time now… But it’s just not a good idea, save your money and wear things you forgot you had in your closet. I’ve been wearing cute clothes even if I don’t leave the house at all, it makes me feel better and more productive.

What you need instead: zip-up baby pajamas, if you don’t have any, don’t buy them, ask your friends with kids or a local mom through the Peanut app. Friends gave me more clothes than I would ever need, so if you need some, email me and I’ll send you some. For the grownups, dig through your closet and wear cute things you forgot you had.

3. Designer handbags

TheRealReal has seen a tough month for its stock price, more so that similar stocks and the market in general (I know because I own it 🤦🏼).

TheRealReal vs. S&P500 1 month chart

I am no financial analyst (well, not anymore), but I can speculate about the reasons for such a sharp decline: luxury goods are not helpful in a pandemic crisis! If anything, they are a drag for when the time comes to leave your home in short notice after a mob of infected pseudo-zombies approaches to steal the last supplies of chocolate chips in the country.

My useless Louis Vuitton handbag. And yes, those were my real nails like 5 years ago.

With work from home and without the need to show your status in public via an overpriced chunk of leather, designer handbags sound like a really bad thing humanity did for a long time. Millions of people losing their jobs and food supply chains threatened by a little virus do help to put things in perspective: your Birkin is not going to save you in this situation (or any other situation I can think of).

In summary, a deep crisis like the global pandemic we’re living in is a true test of the real value of our material possessions. Toilet paper, hand sanitizer and face masks are highly coveted these days because they can help to ensure survival, not because of their price tag or other intangible social perception. My solution: not buying anything that is not essential, I am only spending money on cleaning supplies, food and … that’s it! (on, maybe some stocks because it’s time to buy).

Also: #stayhome.