Dressing For Quarantine

Apparel Sales Trend Toward Comfort During Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

As millions of people are complying with stay-at-home orders throughout the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new spring fashion trend has unexpectedly emerged: comfortable clothing.

‘Comfortable’ may be in the form of jeans or sweats for many people, but one clothing item has risen to the top rank of comfort during quarantine: pajamas.

Students do not need much excuse to wear pajamas while they do distance learning, and the same may hold true for some who are unemployed and not heading outdoors. But what about business people? Just how casual is ‘business casual’?

No surprise to many, pajamas rule with business workers as well, even if it’s half pajamas.

Statistics show that the sale of pajamas has risen by 143 percent. In fact, business workers admit that while they’re wearing shirts, even ties, and blazers during their video meetings, often, these workers are wearing comfortable bottoms, either pajama pants, shorts, or sweats.

And since wearing comfortable clothing is ‘in’ during quarantine, what’s considered ‘out’ are clothing not considered comfortable: bras, shoes, pants.

When we return to a new ‘normal’ and back to work, how many will miss their comfort clothes?

Apparel Sales, April 2020 vs 2019

Pajamas                              +143%

Pants                                   -13%

Jackets                                -33%

Bras                                     -12%

Online apparel sales        +34%

Source: Adobe Digital Economy Index