Athleisure, party wear, and “casual basics” are helping drive end-of-year sales for apparel retailers.

Athleisure, party wear, and “casual basics” are helping drive end-of-year sales for apparel retailers. Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Kohl’s are among some of the apparel retailers that experienced around 10-33% sales increases in the third quarter thanks to a return to in-store shopping and continued digital sales growth as consumers searched for formal styles to compliment their holiday plans— and comfy styles to live in all-year long. Abercrombie & Fitch reported that denim posted, “record-breaking Q3 sales”; Anthropologie notes, “sales of occasion and party dresses surged toward the end of the quarter”; and Nordstrom says, “dresses, men’s suiting, dress shirts [and] dress shoes…all showed sequential improvement during the third quarter.” Additionally, sales were up 300% at Free People Movement (Free People’s athletic brand) while Gilly Hicks’ “Go Active” collection grew to 20% of the brand’s total sales. YPulse’s fashion and style research shows that Gen Z and Millennials are prioritizing comfort when it comes to their wardrobe, and fashionable clothes for going out is another growing category among young consumers. (Modern Retail)