The time spent in sweats accelerated the shift from “business casual' to “business comfort.' She's gone back to heels, but they're lower, and she says she will never wear dress pants again to the office.Įven before the pandemic, Americans were dressing more casually at work. “Why feel buttoned up and stiff when I don’t have to?”īefore COVID-19, Martin-Pence used to wear dress pants with blazers to the pharmaceutical company where she works.
“Being comfortable is more important than being super structured,” said Kay Martin-Pence, 58, who went back to her Indianapolis office last month in dressy jeans and flowy tops after working remotely in leggings and slippers for two years. That has retailers and brands rushing to meet workers' fashion needs for the future of work. They're giving a heave-ho to the structured suits, zip-front pants and pencil skirts they wore before the COVID-19 pandemic and experimenting with new looks. Welcome to the post-pandemic dress code for the office.Īfter working remotely in sweats and yoga pants for two years, many Americans are rethinking their wardrobes to balance comfort and professionalism as offices reopen. NEW YORK (AP) - Blazers in knit fabrics, pants with drawstrings or elastic waists, and polo shirts as the new button-down.
