The Evolution of Clothing

A recent New York Times article called attention to the fact that clothing designed for heat is moving from a niche product into the mainstream, according to one expert quoted (Lorna Hall, director of fashion intelligence for consumer trends forecasting agency WGSN).

Lighter fabrics, built-in protection against ultraviolet rays, cooling and sweat-wicking clothing are all part of the mix. That isn’t the only evolution in clothing: since COVID started, the long-growing popularity of athleisure wear has skyrocketed.

As early as 2020, as Sourcing Journal reported, the Boston Consulting Group predicted that the next few years could be “the most tumultuous that most people in the fashion industry will ever know. Agile, decisive brands that can free up capital to invest can set themselves up to create advantage in adversity. They can right-size operations and adopt new business practices while continuing to give customers what they want.”

In 2021, Fast Company observed that “while athleisure dominated our early pandemic wardrobes, many of us are getting accustomed to a new hybrid lifestyle that requires more than just matching sweat suits (as much as we love them). Occupying that literal comfort spot between work attire and leisure wear, workleisure’s moment has arrived.

Feet are part of the equation: Birkenstocks, the popular German shoes that originated for orthopedic use, have only grown in popularity. They are worn by Gwyneth Paltrow, Sienna Miller, Claire Foy and countless other celebrities as well as ordinary people everywhere. The company was recently valued at more than $4 billion.