Knitted blazers, pants with drawstrings or elastic waistbands and new button-up polo shirts. After two years of doing their job remotely wearing sweatpants and yoga pants, many Americans are rethinking their wardrobes to balance comfort and professionalism as offices reopen. increase. They are raving about the structured suits, zippered pants and pencil skirts they wore before the COVID-19 pandemic and are experimenting with new looks. This has led retailers and brands to meet the fashion needs of workers for the jobs of the future.

The term “clothing cognition” or how what people wear affects their thinking. “I guess it will relax, but it might not,” Galinski said. “People consciously ask, ‘Am I dressed for the office?’ You will think about the social comparisons of what you are going to do. Bean said people are moving away from the “typical uniform”. “They will expect more flexible working hours, being able to work in a hybrid model and being as comfortable as being at home,” he said.

Kay Martin Pence, 58, who wore leggings and slippers for two years while working remotely, returned to her Indianapolis office last month in sleek jeans and a flowy top. Before COVID-19, Martin-Pence wore dress pants with a blazer at the pharmaceutical company where he worked. She’s back in heels, but her heels are lower. She says she will never wear dress pants to the office again. Even before the pandemic, Americans dressed more casually at work, with time spent sweating accelerating the shift from “business casual” to “business comfort.”

Some change quickly, and data from market research firm NPD Group and retailers reflects changing trends. Wireless bras now account for more than 50% of the total US non-sports bra market, reversing a long-term trend, according to NPD. Dress shoe sales have rebounded since 2021 but are still 34% below 2019 levels, according to NPD, fueled by a return to social events rather than the office. Instead, casual sneakers are the most common work footwear today.

Clothing rental company Rent the Runway said blazer rentals in February nearly doubled from a year ago, reflecting a return to the office. However, her customers opt for colorful versions like pastels and fabrics like lightweight tweed, linen and twill.

Summary of news:

  • Sneakers, elastic pants: People are changing their office outfits amid COVID
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