The fashion industry has been one of the hardest-hit sectors during the coronavirus pandemic. Most fashion retailers have seen a drop in demand for their products since the outbreak started.
In the U.S. alone, sales for apparel and accessories plunged by 52% in March compared to the same period last year. Physical stores suffered the most, while online retailers gained a slight advantage.
But amid the dropping sales, there were a few survivors. The demand for comfortable and cozy clothes soared tremendously, as most people work from home and adhere to social distancing.
For instance, in the U.S., online sales for pajamas nearly tripled between April and March this year, alongside shorts and T-shirts. Such a trend may continue even after the pandemic subsides, as most people prefer to work remotely in the long run.
The current health crisis has transformed how people dress, shaping the future of the fashion industry. To help you keep up with what’s in, here are some fashion trends that you should look out for post-pandemic:
4 post-pandemic fashion trends to look out for
“Home-wear” will remain dominant.
Loungewear has become increasingly popular during the pandemic. Most people now prefer easy-to-wear clothes as they remain stuck at home. Sales of home shorts and T-shirts rose by 67% and 47%, respectively between March and April alone, while pajama sales soared by 143%.
Comfort and flexibility will remain the top priorities of consumers in shopping for new clothes post-pandemic. For women, easy-to-wear clothing like throw-on dresses, stylish pajamas, and house slip-ons will likely become the trend.
For working ladies at home, a semi-formal printed top, a knitted sweater, or blouses that are made of easy-to-wash fabrics will become a staple. As for men, sweatpants and hoodies will never go out of style.
However, for those working from home, most individuals may go for T-shirts and polos made of linen and cotton to look more presentable during meetings or when going out for errands, or perhaps they may also opt for custom t-shirts from brands like Rarecustom tshirt.
Activewear goes beyond the gym.
The coronavirus pandemic has heightened the importance of health and wellness among individuals globally. Most people have developed fitness habits while on lockdown, which led to the surge in demand for health and fitness platforms.
The latest data from the World Economic Forum showed that downloads for health and fitness apps grew by 46% globally during the first half of 2020. In the U.S., around 16% of adults have been watching more online exercise videos since the start of the pandemic.
Such a trend also led to a rise in demand for activewear. In the U.S., sales of leggings, sports bras, and other active apparel increased by 40% during the first week of April, according to retail analysts.
The demand for activewear won’t be slowing down anytime soon, according to fashion experts. While gyms and fitness studios gradually reopen, 90% of Americans would still prefer to do at-home workouts even after the pandemic subsides, according to a survey from fitness company Beachbody.
Masks will become a fashion staple even after the pandemic.
Face masks are now mandatory across many countries to help limit the spread of the virus. But for the fashion industry, face masks have become the defining garment for 2020, according to experts.
While they provide protection against the virus, most people will continue to use face masks even after the pandemic subsides to express their personal style. Several luxury brands have come out with customized masks to cater to such demand.
Aside from custom face masks, certain accessories such as neck gaiters, scarves, and designer face shields are also anticipated to gain more popularity in the near future. They can help upgrade people’s wardrobe while keeping them protected against the virus.
Local brands will win over global names.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected businesses globally. Many small business owners were forced to close their shops amid drastic financial losses, leaving thousands of workers jobless in the middle of a crisis.
With this, many consumers are now supporting locally made products to help the remaining businesses survive and navigate through the pandemic. In the U.S., more than half of consumers prefer purchasing from local shops than from global and national retailers, according to ZypMedia.
The growing urge to shop local will continue even after the pandemic subsides. This happens as more people come to realize the importance of small business owners in their local communities, especially in times of crisis.
While the future remains uncertain, there is one thing that we are sure of: the pandemic will continue to transform how we behave, including the way we dress. Looking out for these emerging trends will help you stay trendy and never go out of style in the new normal.
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