People are still refreshing their Covid wardrobes to return to the office

Shoppers took advantage of holiday discounts to snag new clothes and shoes, with many heeding employers’ ongoing calls to bring staffers back to their desks.
Alane Schneider · 7 days ago · 2 minutes read


Closet Revolution: From Covid Casual to Office Style

First Part: Holiday Spending Frenzy

Nearly five years after the pandemic, closets are finally receiving a long-awaited makeover. Shoppers took advantage of holiday discounts to refresh their wardrobes, boosting spending.

Clothing, footwear, and jewelry witnessed a surge in sales, proving that consumers are eager to enhance their style.

“Consumers dug deep and boosted spending. Retailers worked hard to secure trade with generous discounts.” - Neil Saunders, Managing Director, GlobalData

Second Part: Back to the Office Style Conundrum

The return to office has sparked a style identity crisis. Many feel they have lost their fashion sense after months of working in casual attire.

Stylist Avri Lauren reports a significant increase in clients seeking help with office-appropriate outfits. She attributes this to a loss of style identity and a desire for quality and sustainable pieces.

“Now that they’re coming back into the office, they feel like they’ve lost their complete style identity.” - Avri Lauren, Stylist

Third Part: Retailers Adapt to Growing Demand

Retailers are adjusting to meet the growing need for replacement garments. They are offering items suitable for multiple settings, beyond the traditional comfort pieces.

“Some have been pushing items that can be worn in multiple settings, it’s not like a typical sweater.” - Jane Hali, Retail Analyst

Fourth Part: Cautious Spending and Resistance to Return-to-Office

Although holiday spending numbers were solid, not all retailers saw success. Cautious shoppers are making small purchases and spreading out their spending.

“Underneath the headline number, the results were somewhat mixed.” - Neil Saunders, Managing Director, GlobalData

Despite corporate mandates, some employees are resisting the return-to-office trend, preferring to work remotely.

Fifth Part: Evolving Shopping Habits

Consumers are embracing new ways to shop for clothes and accessories. “Buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services have become increasingly popular.

“Not every retailer found success over the holidays, and we will see some polarized earnings when retailers report next month.” - Neil Saunders, Managing Director, GlobalData

The proliferation of digital shopping options is leading customers to start their shopping journey online, checking availability in-store later.