Are Sweatpants the Only Fashion Trend in America Right Now?

America has entered a period of self-isolation and stretch pants, and retailers across the country are reporting a surge in sweatpants sales during imposed lockdowns to curb the coronavirus’ spread. While stores say that COVID-19 induced anxiety and dim economic forecasts have caused a steep drop-off in overall fashion sales, sweatpants appear to be an exception — their popularity spiking at a rate that may indicate they are the biggest (and perhaps only) trend in fashion right now. With restaurants and nonessential stores closed by mandate and most professionals working from home, fashion status symbols have been rendered nearly useless. Consumers have few places to go that require any degree of style or savoir-faire, and in turn have begun dressing for comfort. “There is a real shift in values within this moment,” said Scott Sternberg, founder of the sustainable basics label Entireworld, which saw its site traffic and sales conversion rate double last week, the first full workweek charted under quarantine. Sweatpants have not appeared this relevant or widespread since the early-Aughts craze for Juicy Couture. Even the most devoted of fashion plates who have made a career out of getting dressed for the sake of it — including influencers Danielle Bernstein, Olivia Palermo

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

from WWDWWD https://ift.tt/2xlN5mc