Workwear is becoming more and more casual (and we’re not mad).

Workwear is becoming more and more casual (and we’re not mad). Sure, some things like cargo shorts, hoodies, and flip-flops may never be office appropriate (and for right reasons, at least for cargo shorts). But as people return to the office, retailers are introducing more comfortable workwear options. Banana Republic is creating more flexible dresses with removable belts and adjustable straps, Brooks Brothers is investing in bright colors and patterned polo shirts, and M.M.LaFleur is introducing cashmere joggers, silk pullovers, and other mash-ups dubbed “power casual.” YPulse’s fashion and style research predicted that “biz-leisure” would be a COVID-born trend that lives on post-pandemic. Employers are also starting to listen to their workers’ demand for comfortable work clothing: JPMorgan Chase has started allowing employees in its call centers to wear t-shirts and sneakers, and consulting firms, retailers, and law firms are also starting to prioritize comfortability when it comes to their dress codes. The fact is, WFH changed peoples’ expectations for workwear and one industry expert notes, “The lines between what employers deem appropriate and what individuals want to wear are going to start rubbing together more than they have in the past.” (Washington Post)