In a time where social distancing is commonplace and more and more people are working from home, there has been a noticeable shift from workwear to comfortable loungewear. Now more than ever, women are looking for clothes that are comfortable, cozy, and a pleasure to wear.
Loungewear is even making it into fashion shows, which are now featuring oversized knitted sweaters and comfy dresses that can be worn all year round.
Interestingly, most clothing and footwear sales are on the decline. However, loungewear continues to be a steady seller, particularly among women.
Why is loungewear on the up?
Basically, people are working wherever they can log on to the wi-fi, either at home or in coffee shops. While it is enticing to work in your pajamas all day, a lot of people still feel the need to look presentable without getting completely dressed up in office attire. It’s all about finding the right headspace while remaining comfortable.
As such, women are looking for “cocooning” outfits like jumpers, hoodies, button-free shirts, and loose-fitting trousers - clothes that wrap them up but still look appropriate.
As such, a lot of designers are switching to natural fabrics like organic cotton, which feel good on your body. In fact, even elasticated waist and drawstring pants are on the rise.
Comfort and function
As loungewear continues to grow in popularity, more and more women’s fashion designers are designing clothes that can be worn indoors and outdoors. Versatility is key in this regard. As a writer myself, I can tell you that the urge to leave the house and go to your nearest coffee shop for a change of scenery is particularly strong. Many women have long been frustrated with the big brands, particularly when it comes to practicality. I mean, is it too much to ask for pockets and comfortable waistbands?
Designers are including soft separates in their latest ranges, incorporating minimalist and modern aesthetics in all their latest garments, all of which are designed to be mixed and matched with numerous other clothes, so you don’t have to worry about your outfit clashing when you leave the house.
Pajamas on the rise?
There has also been a shift in the number of people purchasing quality pajamas. As such, many designers are looking to balance functionality with attractive designs. In addition, some are pushing the envelope in terms of fabrics. Whereas technical fabrics like silk used to be popular in sleepwear, there has been a marked increase in cotton and linen pajamas, as they are much easier to clean and wear.
Customers are backing this up with their wallets too. It seems many people are willing to spend more on pajamas and loungewear because they are spending a greater amount of time in the house. If people are particularly house proud, they’ll want to wear outfits that match, particularly if they regularly post to the likes of Instagram and Facebook.
Final Thoughts
As such, you can expect the majority of loungewear designers to develop high-quality products that are both versatile and offer complete value for money. While there has been a rise in people purchasing comfy clothes, they still want to buy something that is multi-purpose and fashionable.
In addition, these same customers are becoming more interested in sustainable clothing that is better for the environment, which is reflected in the number of designers who use organic and natural materials nowadays.
While the appeal of loungewear is undeniable, one has to wonder whether this would be the case if people were not forced to work from home in recent times. That being said, this writer certainly appreciates the availability of slouchy outfits and feeling generally cozy whenever I have to sit in front of the screen and bash out a few hundred words.
So long, uncomfortable blouses; hello comfy sweaters!
