The Changes the Pandemic Introduced into Corporate Dress Code

Before the pandemic, those with traditional office jobs usually based their sartorial choices on the corporate dress code, opting for smart, work-appropriate outfit combinations as their workday uniforms. But ever since the onset of the coronavirus, the line between formal and casualwear started to get blurry. With nowhere to go and practically no one to impress, many of us started relying on loungewear consisting of pajamas, slippers, and sweatpants as we attended Zoom meetings in our workstations, which mostly consisted of our kitchen tables and beds.

But now that the vaccines are becoming more widely available, many of us may feel the pressure to make the transition from their casual wear to something more formal. The question is: is that really necessary? There’s been a noticeable shift in what’s considered work-appropriate, and it doesn’t necessarily involve suits and ties. In fact, dressing down has become quite the norm these days, and that might just change the way we view work attire forever. In this article, we’ll be looking at the different ways the pandemic has affected corporate dress code and how that will reflect in the fashion of the post-pandemic world.

 

Comfort is king

Prior to the onslaught of the virus, selecting a fresh, new work outfit was a part of our usual morning routine. Some of us wore heels and suits, while others wore flats, blazers, and dress pants that made them look polished and put together.

Nowadays, however, people are choosing comfort over appearance. They’re becoming more accepting of casual apparel and relaxed garments, which have become the hallmarks of quarantine style, and they’re shifting further away from scratchy clothes that make them feel uncomfortable. They realized that what they wear won’t necessarily affect their quality of work – as long as they’re meeting deadlines, that is. Plus, with no one who can see them but their cats, there’s basically no point in dressing up formally.

The rise of “the Zoom Shirt”

Working from home had many Americans figuring out ways to retain a professional image sans sitting in their office attire all day long. Enter ’the Zoom shirt’, a practical solution for remote workers to look Zoom call-appropriate whenever there’s a video conference they need to attend.

What’s interesting is that this method turned out to be quite effective. According to a study, workers who were permitted to wear more casual attire have seen a rise in productivity. This just goes to show that dressing smart doesn’t necessarily translate to optimized work performance, and you can carry out your job just as efficiently while wearing your pajamas and a “Zoom shirt”.

 

The shift to multitasking workwear

The pandemic has certainly reduced our need to shop for corporate attire and blurred the lines between formal and casualwear. Still, there’s this gap that we need to fill with versatile, multitasking pieces that can easily work for more casual and formal occasions – things such as simple dresses, blouses, and pants.

And while most American women can browse their favorite malls freely these days, those looking for womens workwear in Australia will need to resort to online shopping as certain parts of Australia are currently in lockdown. By shopping for clothes online, they’ll be able to meet the video call dress code while staying loyal to their favorite brands as well as tried-and-true outfits. On the plus side, by reaching for more versatile pieces, they’ll be able to build a work wardrobe full of office-appropriate staples that can easily be worn off-duty.

 

Embracing a more casual back-to-work style

Given how the notion of work outfits has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the question arises: What will our post-pandemic, back-to-work style look like? While formalwear certainly does have its advantages – such as dressing for the job you want or simply uplifting your mood – for the most part, people aren’t exactly too excited about putting on formal work attire like they did pre-pandemic.

Instead, there’s a noticeable shift towards a more casual back-to-work style, and clothing companies are taking notes. Fashion forecasters are expecting looser clothes to make a comeback as many of us start to return to our offices, with casual Fridays being a thing of the past, and more casual, comfortable attire being perfectly work-appropriate. They’re also advising individuals to invest in more classic pieces that they can wear outside of the office instead of splurging on highly formal pieces they won’t be wearing nearly as often.

 

Wrapping up

The onset of COVID-19 has certainly changed the way we approach dressing for work. And while certain quarantine fashion trends may be too casual for the workplace, we can certainly see companies embracing more flexible dress codes in the post-pandemic world.

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11 Budget-Friendly Tips To Build a Fabulous Summer Wardrobe

 

Alfresco dinners, vacations, picnics, and barbecues are just a few things that make summer the social season of the year. Are you bored of everything in your closet? It’s time to revamp your wardrobe with clothes that make you feel and look great.

 

If you are on a tight budget, don’t fret! We’re sharing the best tips to build your summer wardrobe on a budget. Let’s dive in.

 

Look for Discounts and Deals

Thanks to the internet, you no longer have to spend your money on full-priced clothes from retail stores. From trendy Instagram stores to popular brands, you can buy a wide variety of clothing at affordable prices. And the best part? Usually, you can find a discount code or offer. Always shop for deals online to save more.

 

Host a Clothes Swap

You and your friends probably have things in your closets that no longer fit you or match your style. You should consider hosting a clothes swap where everyone brings such items and exchanges them for something they like. Not only is it free, but it’s also a sustainable way to build a summer wardrobe.

Go Thrifting

Speaking of sustainability, thrifting has recently gained widespread popularity, thanks to social media fashionistas. You can get one-of-kind pieces at highly discounted prices in thrift and charity shops. Even if you don’t have a thrift store in your neighborhood, you can thrift online on websites like threadUp and Depop.

Revamp Old Clothes

With some simple changes, you can infuse new life into your old clothes. For example, there is nothing easier than cropping a top or sweatshirt for a more youthful look. All you need is a pair of scissors! You can also crop pants, jeans, and dresses.

 

Attend Estate Sales

Apart from thrift and charity shops, estate sales are a great place to score high-end pieces at reasonable prices. Such sales are a goldmine for luxury clothing and jewelry. You can check newspaper listings, online estate sale websites, and Craigslist to find estate sales in your area.

 

Buy Versatile Accessories

A premium quality scarf is a must-have fashion accessory. You style a scarf in many different ways. You can tie it around your neck, use it as a headband, wear it as a wrap top or a belt. The possibilities are truly endless.

 

Quality Over Quantity

It is better to buy classic pieces that will last you a lifetime instead of trendy clothes that will be out of style next season. Invest in a pair of high-quality jeans, trousers, white sneakers, strappy nude heels, a basic t-shirt, and a little black dress. These also make great transitional fashion pieces. You can easily layer them for colder seasons.

 

Sell Unwanted Items

Unwanted clothing creates clutter and takes up unnecessary space. Luckily, it’s quite easy to sell clothes and accessories online. Create an account on eBay or Depop to sell clothes you don’t need. Use the extra cash to buy clothes for your summer wardrobe.

 

Be Selective

For creating a wearable and fashionable wardrobe, it’s important to discover your style. Start by creating a mood board on Pinterest by pinning your favorite trends, silhouettes, colors, and so on. Use this as inspiration when buying clothes.

 

Find a Tailor

A good fit can completely change the look of an outfit. If you love things in your wardrobe but don’t fit right, get them tailored by a professional.

 

Borrow or Rent

Do you have to attend a wedding or any other special event? Buying a whole new outfit for an occasion is not the best idea. Instead, borrow a dress from your friends and family. Alternatively, you can also rent everything from designer clothes to shoes at affordable rates.

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Top Trends All Set To Shape the Fashion Industry In 2021

The fashion industry is one of the many industries that have fallen prey to the Covid-19 pandemic impacts. Its effort of coping significantly with the new normal is notable! With the help of recent trends and paradigms, the industry of glamour and allure is trying its best to hit back the stage with a bang once again. A lot of the new trends have snatched the attention of fashion lovers and enthusiasts. 

As per surveys, garment or fashion accessory consumers’ choices are becoming more practical, comfortable, and affordable. As the situation demands, the global fashion industry is also easing things up for consumers as much as possible with a redefined setting. Here are some of the emerging Fashion Industry trends!

1. Growth in the Market of Innovative Handbags

2021 has significantly redefined the needs and demands of people, and there is no doubt about that! At this time, traveling is the foremost thing people are avoiding. As odd as it sounds, this factor has impacted the tourism industry and also the fashion industry. 

With the severe limitations in touring and traveling, the demand for luggage accessories has gone down greatly. Accessories like baggies, backpacks, and kits are no more meeting their expected sales graph this year like the other years. 

But on the other hand, the global handbag market is on the rise. This is because the customer references have changed. To quench their shopping thirst, customers are focusing on alternate shopping options. The segment of fashionable accessories like trendy purses, sling bags, clutches, and handbags is mainly millennial-driven. 

Hence, currently, there is no shortage of shoppers regarding luxury options like the exclusively crafted big bag Muriel Lala berlin! It is why a large percentage of key players are expanding their products to a more matching taste of the 2021 consumer populace.

Accepting Covid-19 as the New Normal

Today’s pandemic-stricken times have left us no choice other than to accept its dynamics. It has affected almost every aspect of human lives. Evaluate the industrial dynamics along with the dynamics of the fashion market. From economy, travel, trade, to customer behavior, everything is influenced and reshaped once again!

3. Antiviral Garments 

Back in the days, antiviral or antibacterial clothing was just an add-on to the qualities of garments. Opined by the renowned Swedish sleepwear brand, Dagsmejan, this feature must become compulsory in the pandemic age. This type of fabric has existed and survived in the fashion market for quite a long time. 

Often, sportspersons, patients with derma issues, or consumers with specified hygiene use these types of garments. It is not a surprise. Customers repeatedly stated that the colors of antibacterial fabrics faded out at times earlier than the usual fabrics. This was not the case with all the brands producing antiviral garments.

4. Digitizing Of Small to Medium-Scaled Fashion Ventures

Digital adoption has started to soar in the age of Covid-19. Several brands are eventually expanding their business online. Simultaneously, the giant fashion brands are already a part of the advanced digital sphere, and the medium to small-scaled fashion brands is also making an effort. It is because consumers of all ages, demographic locations, and generations choose to embrace shopping online. 

Customer service video-chats, live streaming, online campaigns, and social shopping are examples of the current innovations. As per analysis, about 71% of the fashion brands today assume their ventures to expand by about 20% in and onwards 2021. The industry is now focusing on implementing conventional and digital methods to boost sales, customer traffic, and engagement. 

5. Justified Treatment for Employees

Amidst the rush and excitement of getting a new attire or accessory, we often fail to notice how much pressurized the garment workers get. This might not be the case everywhere, but many loyal customers of brands have noticed specific negligence towards low-wage employees. These aspects have become unacceptable in the modern industry of fashion. 

Moreover, sales assistants and low-paid workers became vulnerable to such issues even more during the times of Covid-19. Campaigns were crucial to putting an end to employee injustice in the fashion industry. Also, about 66% of the customers said they should consider brands more that treat their employees respectfully and fairly. 

6. Revolution in Overall Fashion Dynamics

As we can see, significant evolutions are taking over several aspects of the fashion industry today. This is making people bound to adopt new and more flexible ways to reach their goals. 

New industrial models are emerging to drive performance in businesses. Companies are now investing in re skilling talents, refining lends of on-premises and remote workers, inducing a sense of shared purpose in work culture are some of the examples. A considerable chunk of brands expects a hybrid and more advanced business model as a part of the future fashion market.

 

The Bottom Line

The times of crisis have brought innovative fashion market trends into the limelight even more. There is the sheer need to attain high productivity. Also, build strategic ways to accomplish them with ultimate safety and convenience. Hence, all segments of the fashion market, as a whole, are working and propelling towards a progressive eon. The trends, as mentioned earlier, were some of the blazing instances of how the fashion market will roll in the next consecutive years!

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