By now, we know all too well the routine of rolling out of bed, throwing on a t-shirt, and moving along with our day.

After months of quarantine-fits, consumers are wondering what the future holds for fashion, and I’m here to tell you. Keep reading to see some predicted trends for post-quarantine times!

Business Casual – Emphasis on Casual 

The thought of sliding on a pair of jeans is nauseating to many after living in sweats for ages. Now more than ever, consumers are prioritizing comfort over style, so why not combine both? Work-from-home attire is changing the industry in a major way. The New York Times predicts a more relaxed dress code for the office in the coming year. 

From Work to Workout 

Along with comfort, consumers are emphasizing function when shopping for clothing. Another trend stemming from the pandemic is “lounge to living” garments. We have seen items like biker shorts and leggings become closet staples as their functions progressed. Going forward, multi-use garments are anticipated to dominate the market, while the current athleisure trend will continue to thrive. 

Style Made Safe

This year we watched as retailers turned PPE into profits with the rise in face mask sales, but what’s next? Mixing safety and fashion isn’t over; forecasting research suggests that clothing with protective properties such as “anti-viral attributes, pollution, and UV-proofing” should be anticipated for the future (Muston, 2020). 

Elevated Basics

They say you can never have too many basics. With a consumer focus on necessity, basics are back and better than ever. WGSN predicts high quality, comfortable staple items inspired by the “stay-indoors wardrobe” that has been so prominent in our lives over the past year. Expect to see practical designs and cozy materials (Muston, 2020). 

Pastels 

Following times of distress and economic hardship, the clothing industry is known to produce more pastels. Why? These colors are soothing to the eye and mind. While these colors are already entering the market, I foresee pastels becoming a fashion staple years after the pandemic.

The state of our world has had an impact on many industries—the apparel industry is no exception. Be on the look-out for these innovative trends influenced by COVID-19. 

Be well, Auburn. 

Photography: Katherine S.