Workwear’s Post-Lockdown Makeover

A survey by US/UK personal styling service Stitch Fix found that 68% of people planned to wear more relaxed silhouettes to the office than they did pre-pandemic (Fashionista, 2022). And while many people have left lockdown with a new outlook on workwear, there’s also a whole new generation of people who entered employment during the work-from-home era, and so have an innately different perspective on office attire. This, combined with a cross-demographic inclination towards comfort, has created a work environment that’s decidedly less formal – or, at least challenges ideas of what ‘formal’ can mean.

Also known as ‘workleisure’, this laid-back merger of loungewear and work attire has come to embody the modern office uniform. Product counts for ‘elasticised pants’ and ‘pull-on pants’ grew by 28% and 65% respectively at online US retailers since the start of the pandemic (StyleSage, 2022). Meanwhile, purposefully oversized, loose-fitting tailoring – often paired with T-shirts, hoodies and sneakers – has become emblematic of this hybrid style. And as elevated sportswear continues to take hold on a luxury level, expect to see this high-low mix become even more important across a range of age demographics.

Longevity and value-for-money are important factors to consider, too, as consumers who may spend only a few days a week in the office want clothing that’s both designed to last and is flexible for occasions beyond work.

According to Stitch Fix, about half of the respondents surveyed wear the same pieces to work that they wear outside of it (Fashionista, 2022). So, capsule wardrobes (like those from New Zealand brand Maggie Marilyn) are becoming increasingly popular on a commercial level, while labels like Me+Em, M.M. LaFleur, Lezé the Label, Uniqlo and Everlane specialise in good-quality basics that can easily be mixed and matched, and dressed up or down.

Footwear is another key focus, as many people are increasingly foregoing heels in favour of comfortable flats. In the US, sneakers are now the most popular footwear choice for both men and women at work (NPD, 2022). And two Adidas collabs – the Gucci Gazelle and the Wales Bonner Samba – were named as Q2 2022’s most popular shoes for 2022 (Lyst, 2022). Other popular styles from Q2 include Gucci loafers and Birkenstock clogs, with no heels featuring on the list.

While comfort remains important for post-Covid consumers, there’s also a strong prevailing desire for self-expression and dopamine dressing. For this, continue to prioritise ease and comfort when it comes to fabrics and silhouettes, but play with joyful colours and playful prints for looks that bridge the gap between virtual and in-person work. Think oversized tailoring in saccharine pastels and loose-fitting dresses in eye-catching patterns.

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