The Loungewear Obsession: Will it outlast lockdown?

Juliette Capomolla

BY EMILY WALKER

Loungewear has become a wardrobe staple for many during 2020 while they were forced to stay home.

Consumer Molly Webbe was already buying loungewear before the pandemic, but spent more money on it this year since she is wearing it more often.

“I really like the loungewear trend and I’m glad there are more options out now, so that you can wear loungewear but still look good,” Ms Webbe said.

Kylie Jenner pictured in Rozalia Russian’s popular loungewear collaboration with Atoir. PHOTO: Instagram

Although Ms Webbe is not convinced the loungewear trend is here to stay.

“My guess is that it will phase out, like most trends do, after lockdown.”

Retailers have capitalised on the demand for comfortable clothes with prominent clothing labels such as Atoir and Tory Burch releasing loungewear collections.

Founder of Warmcore Clothing Eleanor Hutchinson started her business during the first Victorian lockdown after more people began requesting her fleece jumpers.

Slow fashion Instagram store Warmcore Clothing’s home-made fleece jumper is a favourite for indoor comfort. PHOTO: Instagram

“I hadn’t really thought much about the demand for practical and warm loungewear before total strangers started contacting me out of the blue, requesting two or three jumpers,” Ms Hutchinson said.

“The high demand is partially due to COVID and stay home restrictions, but also due to people wanting to support local makers and to avoid fast fashion.”

Ms Hutchinson sees more groups turning to comfort and practicality as an aesthetic in itself.

“I’d like to think that the loungewear trend is a sign that we are all ditching our obsessions with being busy and finally being more realistic about how to live a balanced life.”

Consumers and retailers may have embraced loungewear this year but there are mixed opinions on whether the trend will continue once people can leave their homes.

Dr Chrisman-Campbell is the author of *Worn on this Day* and has written for publications such as *The Atlantic* and *Politico*. PHOTO: Courtesy Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell’s website

Fashion historian and author of Worn on This Day, Dr Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, said loungewear predates COVID-19 but the longer the pandemic lasts, the more pronounced its effects will be on every area of society.

“The arc of fashion bends towards informality, so I think loungewear was always going to be here for the long term,” Dr Chrisman-Campbell said.

“Although COVID probably hastened its widespread acceptance, just as World War II hastened the acceptance of pants for women,” she said.

“We may see a backlash as people are able to go out, go back to work and get dressed up again, but you can’t close Pandora’s box.”