I love getting dressed up and truly believe that clothing has the power to change your mindset, however I’ll be the first to admit that I have no desire to relax on the couch while in a fully styled outfit. Since the pandemic hit, many people have found themselves working from home, which has drastically changed the way they get ready in the morning, so I wanted to discuss how COVID-19 has changed style.
The Stats
In June, 47% of consumers told NPD market research firm that they are wearing the same clothes throughout most of their day while at home during the pandemic, and nearly a quarter said they liked wearing activewear, sleepwear, or loungewear most of the day. (My yoga pants have become part of my uniform!)
Furthermore, Levi’s suffered a 62% drop in sales between April and June (its weakest quarter in two decades).
“People just aren’t wearing jeans right now,” said Tiffany Hogan, an apparel analyst for Kantar. “They’re living in comfort as much as they can, which is accelerating a trend we were already seeing.”
What this means for workwear
While most people are not getting ready and wearing traditional workwear daily, there is method behind the madness of getting dressed for work in the morning. It doesn’t have to be a full work outfit, but putting on a fresh pair of leggings or maybe a nice top if you’re getting on a video call can improve both your productivity and your mood.
While your coworkers may also be taking on a more comfortable and relaxed vibe, it is still important to show some level of respect, especially if you’re going into an important meeting, an interview, or giving a presentation.
On the flip side, with work hours and requirements becoming a bit more relaxed, many people are adjusting to a more flexible schedule and taking advantage of the ability to go on a walk, or run a quick errand during the day. If that’s the case, it’s convenient to wear clothing that you can conduct all of your activities in.
If you have some time in between meetings, get out and go for a walk to get your blood flowing. Take advantage of the fact that you’re already in comfortable clothing and get your heart pumping!
COVID-19 has changed style, it has changed how we go about our daily lives, and it has changed just about every aspect of society, and as challenging as this is, it doesn’t all have to be negative. We can look at the silver linings, notice that COVID-19 has changed style by allowing permission for more casual clothing, and has given people insight on just how important a balanced life is.