Covid-19 coronavirus: TVNZ star Hilary Barry's lockdown Formal Friday is back, with baking

Hilary Barry is brining back #FormalFriday while Auckland is in lockdown. Photo / Hilary Barry

Hilary Barry's formal Friday was a lockdown staple earlier in the year, and now the Seven Sharp presenter is back with more cheer.

Barry hosted a baking live on her Facebook page this morning, entertaining followers with her skills.

"I know it's only level 3 lockdown, but it feels like lockdown, so why not bring back formal Friday?" she said.

The dress she wore was what she had planned to wear to the Sol3 Mio concert at Spark Arena, which has been postponed.

Barry says if level 3 is extended today, she plans to carry on with the "baking malarkey".

"It seems to have cheered a lot of people up, and you know what? It gives me something to do too."

Hilary Barry is brining back #FormalFriday while Auckland is in lockdown. Photo / Hilary Barry

She showed her followers how to make "the epitome of comfort eating", a version of a caramel slice. Great choice Hil Baz.

"It's going straight to the hips, but who cares, because as far as I'm concerned lockdown is all about the comfort eating."

Yesterday, Barry announced the return of #FormalFriday on her social media accounts.

"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

View this post on Instagram

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

View this post on Instagram

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

View this post on Instagram

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.

View this post on Instagram

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