Coronavirus: Hilary Barry brings back Covid-19 lockdown #formalfriday

Hilary Barry's iconic lockdown looks have returned. "Just like Covid #formalfriday is making a comeback!!," she wrote on Twitter. Photo / Supplied

Hilary Barry, the woman who singlehandedly kept New Zealanders from slumping on the sofa in their pyjamas in lockdown, is bringing back lockdown "Formal Friday".

"Just like Covid #formalfriday is making a comeback!!," she wrote on Twitter.

"Even if you're not in the lockdown zone you can show your solidarity by slapping on your Sunday best and sharing a pic tomorrow. I'm resurrecting the live baking on Facebook too, 10am be there or be square."

Just like Covid #formalfriday is making a comeback!! Even if you’re not in the lockdown zone you can show your solidarity by slapping on your Sunday best and sharing a pic tomorrow. I’m resurrecting the live baking on Facebook too, 10am be there or be square.

— Hilary Barry (@Hilary_Barry) August 12, 2020

Barry launched the "Formal Friday" trend last lockdown, which went viral when she posted a photo of herself in a gown while working from home at the start of lockdown.

View this post on Instagram

Working from home? How about making a bloody effort on today’s video call instead of sitting there in your pj’s. Full tips for working from home on my Facebook page.

A post shared by Hilary Barry (@hilary.barry) on Mar 24, 2020 at 12:37pm PDT

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Psychologists say, if you can, find a bubble within your bubble to have some time out from other people during lockdown. That’s great advice. And it’s also the reason I’ve decided to go glamping in the backyard. #formalfriday #leavemealone #makeyourownbloodylunch

A post shared by Hilary Barry (@hilary.barry) on Apr 9, 2020 at 2:55pm PDT

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In case you missed it it’s #formalfriday - tiaras optional.

A post shared by Hilary Barry (@hilary.barry) on Mar 26, 2020 at 1:52pm PDT

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If there’s one thing this lockdown has revealed it’s that I’m a bit of a hoarder. This #formalfriday I’m wearing the outfit my mum made me for my 21st and University graduation in 1990. I only narrowly managed to zip it up today so I can barely breathe. For those wondering, the tiara is a special Covid-19 addition.

A post shared by Hilary Barry (@hilary.barry) on Apr 16, 2020 at 3:10pm PDT

From then on, thousands of other New Zealanders responded every week with photos of their formal outfits on Fridays.

Across social media, New Zealanders thanked Barry for getting them out of their trackpants, and in particular applauded her decision to end her last Formal Friday with a gender non-binary look.

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I was going to ditch the tiara for today’s #formalfriday and then I thought ... yeah nah. Fashion credits: Dearly departed Dad’s bow tie. Son’s shirt.

A post shared by Hilary Barry (@hilary.barry) on Apr 23, 2020 at 3:08pm PDT

She also added a couple of extra details that made her outfit all the more special: the bow tie belonged to her late father and the shirt belongs to her son.