
Much like hand sanitizer and clorox wipes, it appears that yoga pants and sweats are in high demand. That is the landscape today, definitely tomorrow, and most likely for some time to come. But what happens next? In terms of groceries, no doubt shopping for them will no longer be the fraught experience it is today. Hoarding will cease as well, while toilet paper and paper towels will once again fill the shelves of stores.
But what about the clothing we wear? When it comes time to leave our homes, do we continue on the path of elastic waistbands and fleece?
There are any number of articles that suggest that the Covid-19 epidemic will change the way we dress in the future. Many of these articles suggest that after months of wearing nothing but gym clothes and oversized loungewear we will refuse to wear anything else. I am not convinced of that.
Even before Covid-19, fashion trends had moved to clothing that was not just comfortable but also unrealistically cheap. Impulse purchases to keep up with ever changing trends, poor workmanship, and low quality fabrics and materials were a part of the zeitgeist. Fast fashion ruled.
After Covid-19, the direction of fashion will most probably shift to something more sustainable. Disruptions in supply chains will see to that. And the inevitable downturn will result in a demand for less, not more clothing. It is likely that the post Covid-19 fashion world brings a change in direction to clothing that can be worn for many occasions and many years, and clothing that is made well.
I also see a world where instead of owning separate wardrobes for work and for everyday, the two will become more aligned because more of us will be working remotely from our homes. The work wardrobe we accumulated through the years will be relegated to the back of our closets only to be worn when we need to make an appearance in the workplace. The styles we wear will reflect our new reality. A knit top made in a thick, supple cotton with a satin finish paired with fluid trousers might become our go-to outfit because it’s just as comfortable as workout gear but definitely more modern. Coats and jackets will be the stand-out pieces of our outfits because they add something more and cover up something less.
Yes, there will be a shift in how we dress that will reflect our new lifestyles. We will wear clothing that exemplifies our new modern sensibility. But when the time comes for us to meet again for dinner and drinks we will surely have a reason to dress up.
Be well, wash your hands a lot, and stay safe!