2021 is coming to its end! The corona virus pandemic has transformed people’s lives, from how you shop to how you work to how you exercise. It has also transformed how people dress. Because many people spent up so much of this year and last year quarantined at home. Gone were the days of business casual wear for the office and dressy outfits for night outs.
Instead, people turned to around-the-house and comfier alternatives, from laid-back sneakers and cozy loungewear. No roundup pandemic fashion would be complete without face masks, of course, some of which we hope will continue into the future.
The Fashion World Adjusted to the COVID-19 Fashion Trends
The shift to video and conference calls, remote work, and virtual social meetings has made people more pragmatic in their approach to fashion. Not shockingly, fashion retailers report noticing an increase in sales of “waist-up” apparel and another increase in fashion tops.
To meet the consumer’s demand, many retailers focused their efforts on buying, selling, and advertising for the waist-up fashion trend.
Further, the coronavirus-related pivots aren’t the only way retailers could meet consumer preferences. Customers are also aligning with retailers, which reflect their core values, whether that is along environmental or social lines.
A national survey performed by Shane Co. asked 1,843 Americans how the pandemic has affected their relationship with fashion trends and clothing. Approximately one in three Americans did not purchase any new clothing or jewelry during the lockdown. Yet, retail clothing businesses have noticed a 115.4% increase in sales since March 2020.
That shows an uneven spread on who’s shopping, as some people refreshed their wardrobes while other people spent less. Further, a universal trend is that Americans overwhelmingly dressed more casually during the lockdown.
After over a year of lockdown, a 56.4% plan to purchase new clothes, especially for the post-pandemic event, consumers are shopping for different reasons. Like keeping up with fashion trends, gaining style and confidence, updating their wardrobes, and mostly shopping for more comfortable clothes to fit the remote work lifestyle.
How Social Media Played a Role in Changing the Fashion Industry:
It’s also worth mentioning that social media has played a huge role in changing fashion since early 2020. For instance, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have influenced fashion choices, from ditching skinny jeans to improving personal styles.
On top of that, 1/3 of respondents mentioned they had bought clothing seen on social media during the past year. Consumers are also discovering fashion in a way that suits the new normal.
The survey from Shane Co. found out that it seems that the hours spent talking with others through a screen have taken a toll on personal fashion decisions. According to the data, over half of the people (63.1) will opt for more comfortable clothing more regularly after the lockdown. Changing Fashion in Work
On the other hand, jobs no longer need professional attire because workers are at home. That has now allowed more people the freedom to express themselves. Another 35.8% of survey respondents said they like to get more experimental with fashion post-lockdown. That’s more obvious among Gen Z, where over half of respondents said the same time.
As an alternative to formal attire, consumers are reaching for yoga pants, sweats, and more comfortable clothes. Over twenty percent said they would not go back to how they dressed before the pandemic, and 60.5% of them mentioned they would buy clothing online more post-lockdown.
In the post-pandemic world, clothing might be more vital to Americans, seventy percent of which acknowledged they didn’t keep up with fashion trends during the COVID-19 lockdown. As travel and social gatherings resume, it is more likely that fashion and clothing will play a very important role.
Top Trends that Ruled 2021
2021 was an exciting year of fashion. Some loved the comfort of a stay-at-home fashion, but some sought revenge dressing to make up for the days lost at home. Like each year, we found some new trends and borrowed a few from the previous season.
Face masks
People these days don’t leave their homes without a face mask. The CDC continues to suggest people wear them to avoid the spread of the virus as states and countries continue to resume and even for those vaccinated.
Y2K revival
The rebirth of everything Y2K was the most pervasive trend this year. Everything from baguette bags to crop tops to rhinestones and low-rise denim appeared. The kitschy aesthetic was also a welcome dose of playfulness and nostalgia.
Sunglasses
From XXL oversize frames to mood-bosting colors to subtle retro references, the Sunglasses Trends 2021 From NYC are some of the best. Consumers leaned into mindful spending. Thus, they purchased easy, versatile styles, and have delicate style details.
Think of the classic cat-eye shape but with a modern twist like a narrower, more angular shape or the infamous aviator with a colored or reflective unit. The fashion runways still embraced the verse of the seventies with retro-inspired silhouettes like Bottega Vendetta’s angular aviators and Miu Miu’s round, lively-colored frames.
Corsets
The fashion corset also ruled 2021. The lace-up garment nearly seemed to be a testament to fashion girls’ commitment to stepping up their game. It may be a bit uncomfortable clothing, but it’s surely gorgeous.
Dark academia
Dark academic dominated the Pinterest boards this year. Everybody in the world seemed to be reaching for their loafers and sweater vests. That cozy and cute aesthetic emphasized the use of closet basics such as blazers and cardigans.
2021 was a year of re-advent. People went back outdoors, back to the clubs and the office. With that stepping, out also come to the spirit of festive dressing.
About the author;
This article was written by guest author EyeOns Marketing.
