Workplace attire has never been more casual.
As the global pandemic has kept people out of the office and mostly in their homes pajamas and athleisure wear have become the new slacks and button-downs. The question is, as vaccination rates rise and people start trickling back into work, will they be willing to part with their sweatpants?
The short answer: yes and no. Jeff Galak, associate professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University s Tepper School of Business, says there are two likely outcomes: One, some companies will keep the momentum of casual wear going and a new normal will be born. Two, there might be a strong desire to return to pre-pandemic normal. As much as sweatpants and T-shirts might be wonderful when working from home, he notes that returning to more business casual or even traditional office wear remember suits and skirts? might be a psychological reminder that we re moving past the pandemic.