How COVID Has Impacted What We Wear – Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there have been very few areas of our lives that have been left unaffected. While at first we thought it would only impact normal life for a few weeks, here we are a year later, still trying to get back to a new sense of normality. However, one of the biggest ways that COVID has affected our everyday life is by the clothes we wear.
Whereas once, our weeks were spent in smart clothes for work and then party outfits at the weekend, a lot of our usual wardrobe has been left hanging. It is safe to say that while our lives have been turned upside down in the last 12 months, the clothes we wear have changed dramatically as well.
How COVID Has Impacted What We Wear
The rise of loungewear
While loungewear has been around for some time and most of us had at least one comfy outfit that we would pop on for a lazy Sunday indoors, loungewear has become even more popular in recent months. Loungewear refers to casual and comfortable clothing that is mainly worn in the comfort of your own home and can include various items from joggers, sweatshirts, and even pyjamas.
Since the start of the national lockdowns in March 2020, more of us were forced to work from home instead of going to the office, and this had a huge impact on our usual work wardrobe. The work from home revolution has meant that the daily commute to work includes walking from one room to the next, and there has been an increased demand for loungewear.
Loungewear has also changed considerably in the last year, and there is now much more on offer than there was pre-COVID-19. From 3 piece loungewear sets, to stylish but super comfortable jumpers, and women’s co-ord sets, you can look great for your online meetings, while also being super cosy.
Comfort doesn’t have to mean bland: a simple, expressive tee can strike the right balance between ease and personality for days spent at home. Lightweight graphic shirts or playful slogan tees are an easy way to appear put‑together on video calls while staying comfortable, and they communicate mood without effort. For readers looking to inject a bit of humour into their casual rotation, there are now plenty of witty tops that pair perfectly with loungewear or jeans. Selecting pieces that reflect your attitude can help you feel more confident, even when your office is the kitchen table.
Smart but comfortable
Loungewear has developed so much in the last year that there are now even pieces that you could wear outside the house and still look great. After having a year of working from home, more of us are keen to stay looking smart but also feel comfortable. No longer are the days where we feel pressured to wear uncomfortable tights and feet wrenching high heels. Instead, we can wear comfortable clothing that is kind to our body, while still doing a great job at work.
Face masks
Perhaps one of the biggest changes to the clothes we wear in the last year has been the introduction of face masks. It is strange to think that not that long ago the prospect of covering our face before heading into the local supermarket would have seemed strange. But now most of us don’t leave the house without a face mask at the ready.
The more creative individuals among us have used this as a great opportunity to create their own face coverings, but now even the big designers have started to include face masks in their accessory offerings. Most of us have a collection of face masks at home that we can choose from and have realised that there is nothing worse than a face mask that clashes with the rest of your outfit! Even as restrictions start to be relaxed in the UK, and having to wear a face mask in public places may no longer be law, it is predicted that many of us will keep our face masks, in order to look great while keeping ourselves safe.
Sustainable clothing
While consumers wanting to shop more sustainability isn’t a new thing, it has definitely become more of a mainstream mindset when it comes to deciding where to buy our clothes from. With more people actively seeking more local, handmade, and sustainable clothing, COVID-19 is likely to change how people buy their clothes long term.. With countries in lockdown and local businesses struggling, there has been a definite shift in the mindset of many shoppers. We are now much more concerned about how our clothing choices affect the planet. For example, online searches for ‘vegan leather’ have grown by a staggering 69 percent. This shows that a lot of us are doing our research and thinking twice before buying new clothes since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus has had a huge impact on every area of our lives and no matter where you are in the world, you will have been affected. While the lockdowns and restrictions we have had to face have changed the clothes we wear on a daily basis, it has also helped us make more sustainable and environmentally friendly choices when treating ourselves to some new clothing items. This trend is probably something that will continue, even when life goes back to normal.
*Collaborative Post
Debz Louise is a plus-size blogger based in Yorkshire. Behind many nationwide campaigns such as #WeaAreTheThey & winner of Best Blogger at the UK Plus Size Awards, she talkas about life as a plus-size 40-something woman in South Yorkshire.
Leave a Reply