In the age of social distancing, working from home has become the new normal. But coronavirus quarantine has led to an interesting trend in fashion: sales for tops are up, and sales for pants are down.
Millions of workers, typically bound to business or business-casual attire in the office, are now free to lounge around their homes in hoodies and sweatpants. But tops still play an important role as many employees will get semi-dressed for video conference calls.
Dan Bartlett, Walmart’s executive vice president of corporate affairs, told Yahoo Finance that the company has seen a spike in sales of tops, but not bottoms. “So, people who are concerned, obviously, from the waist up,” Bartlett said. “These behaviors are going to continue to change and evolve as people get accustomed to this new lifestyle if you will.”
Erika Kirk and Charlie’s Parents Set to Attend Pivotal Tyler Robinson Hearing
WATCH: Bill Maher says Vance interview critics wouldn’t be happy unless he ‘punched him in the nose’
Trump Notches Another Victory as ‘Unprecedented Election Endorsement Run’ Shows No Signs of Ending
Alito blasts latest SCOTUS ballot ruling as invitation to ‘voter fraud’ risks
Ethics panel clears Gallego as Luna declares, ‘Once a creep, always a creep’
Amy Coney Barrett and John Roberts Side with Liberal Justices on Key Election Integrity Case
Conservatives revolt after Trump-appointed Barrett joins liberals in ‘shockingly wrong’ mail ballot ruling
Netanyahu’s lawyers compare his treatment by court to Adolf Eichmann as yearslong trial could go to 2028
Judge delays trial for White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting suspect
Wife of Louis Farrakhan dead at 90
Who is Lisa Cook? The central bank governor at the heart of the Supreme Court’s Trump-Fed showdown
American Airlines flight aborts Miami takeoff after business jet enters runway
Luigi Mangione returns to court for jury selection hearing after reported plea deal falls apart
Deadly Palisades Fire Defendant’s Case Ends in Mistrial as Jury Remains Deadlocked
Banned Film About Anti-Islam Vigilante Is No. 1 on Amazon
While Walmart hasn’t closed its stores, Bartlett said the company has seen a spike in online sales.
Gap Inc. reports similar findings to Walmart across all of its brands, including Gap, Athleta and Old Navy, the company told CBS News on Friday. But for people who are buying pants, they certainly aren’t reaching for slacks. Gap Inc. said its brands have seen major spikes in sales for comfortable clothing, including joggers, leggings, sweatshirts and sleepwear.
“Our brands have seen an increase in searches for loungewear, sweaters, and other clothing that is well suited for at-home wear,” a spokesperson said.
Erika Kirk and Charlie’s Parents Set to Attend Pivotal Tyler Robinson Hearing
WATCH: Bill Maher says Vance interview critics wouldn’t be happy unless he ‘punched him in the nose’
Trump Notches Another Victory as ‘Unprecedented Election Endorsement Run’ Shows No Signs of Ending
Alito blasts latest SCOTUS ballot ruling as invitation to ‘voter fraud’ risks
Ethics panel clears Gallego as Luna declares, ‘Once a creep, always a creep’
Amy Coney Barrett and John Roberts Side with Liberal Justices on Key Election Integrity Case
Conservatives revolt after Trump-appointed Barrett joins liberals in ‘shockingly wrong’ mail ballot ruling
Netanyahu’s lawyers compare his treatment by court to Adolf Eichmann as yearslong trial could go to 2028
Judge delays trial for White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting suspect
Wife of Louis Farrakhan dead at 90
Who is Lisa Cook? The central bank governor at the heart of the Supreme Court’s Trump-Fed showdown
American Airlines flight aborts Miami takeoff after business jet enters runway
Luigi Mangione returns to court for jury selection hearing after reported plea deal falls apart
Deadly Palisades Fire Defendant’s Case Ends in Mistrial as Jury Remains Deadlocked
Banned Film About Anti-Islam Vigilante Is No. 1 on Amazon
Nordstrom declined to comment on specific sales, but said that it has added categories to its homepage to reflect customer feedback, including “Create Your Sanctuary,” “Get Comfortable,” “Relax and Rejuvenate” and “Keep the Kids Busy.”
Other brands have noticed the trend and started marketing their more casual items on social media.
Everlane, a brand known for its work-appropriate stables, is offering “Bundles of Comfort” on its website, which allow shoppers to pick two of the brand’s coziest items at a lower cost, including leggings, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and long-sleeve T-shirts.
Men’s fashion brand Suitsupply is getting in on both sides of the trend. The company recently posted a photo on Instagram of a model wearing a button-down, tie and blazer on top — and nothing but underwear on the bottom.
“Working from home doesn’t mean compromising on style. Keep your look professional—from the waist up at least,” the brand wrote. Scrolling through the Instagram post leads to a picture that says, “Off-camera?” before featuring the same model, this time wearing a sweatshirt.
