Before the pandemic, Rachelle Waterman used to head to the shopping mall before every big work event or weekend outing.

B次元官网网址淢y wardrobe changed almost every day and I kind of dressed more (based on) my mood,B次元官网网址� said Rachelle Waterman, who lives in Hamilton and recently started a remote job as a copywriter. B次元官网网址淪o I had closets full of clothes, which wasnB次元官网网址檛 very practical.

B次元官网网址淣ow that I donB次元官网网址檛 have as many in-person activities, IB次元官网网址檓 more looking at brands that suit more of an everyday purpose, rather than a one-time wear sort of feel.B次元官网网址�

Waterman said saving money on clothes was a big consideration when she began seeking a job where she could work remotely. She she hasnB次元官网网址檛 worked in an office since having her three-year-old daughter, and doesnB次元官网网址檛 want to spend money for the new clothes she would need.

Now that she spends less every month on new clothes, Waterman said she has been able to divert more money to a long-term savings account for her child, which could go towards her future education or a rainy day fund.

Waterman isnB次元官网网址檛 the only person to change their attitudes to clothing and work.

A survey commissioned by the co-working space company IWG found that 40 per cent of people believe the days of formal attire in the office are over, and 59 per cent think itB次元官网网址檒l be acceptable to dress less formally in the office when they return.

Sixty-one per cent of Canadians also reported that they valued the savings related to more casual and versatile work clothes.

The survey found the trend of wanting to dress casually is in line with the rising desire to work remotely or in a hybrid model.

B次元官网网址淭he days of the suit are really over,B次元官网网址� said Wayne Berger, CEO of the Americas for IWG.

He said there had already been an B次元官网网址渋nformalizationB次元官网网址� trend in workplace norms and dress codes in the years prior to the pandemic, and who said companies had already been shifting to business casual attire, rather than more formal wear.

B次元官网网址淏ut the pandemic has greatly accelerated this notion around dress codes and the workplace.B次元官网网址�

Sales in the clothing and clothing accessories category declined 11.2 per cent in May, Statistics Canada reported last month, though the drop came as rising COVID-19 cases forced stores to shut for part of the month in many areas of the country. Within the subsector, clothing stores saw an 11.6 per cent decrease in sales, falling to their lowest level since May 2020.

Still, Retail Council of Canada spokeswoman Michelle Wasylyshen said the industry is hopeful things will rebound as offices reopen and people return to work.

Berger said he expects peopleB次元官网网址檚 decisions around what they wear on any given day will be more B次元官网网址減urpose-driven,B次元官网网址� and that people will only dress up more formally if they have an important meeting or work event that day. With the advent of remote work, he said people may also opt to only dress traditionally on the days they go into the office.

With many companies already changing their ideas around office attire, Berger said employers that donB次元官网网址檛 adapt their culture will find it harder to attract workers.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be a real renaissance,B次元官网网址� said Berger.

B次元官网网址淐ompanies that arenB次元官网网址檛 changing arenB次元官网网址檛 only going to struggle to get talent, but theyB次元官网网址檒l struggle to retain it.B次元官网网址�

These days, Waterman says her wardrobe is based on neutral colours and comfortable clothes. She doesnB次元官网网址檛 go as far as wearing sweatpants, but her daily outfit is also more comfortable than a fancier dress like sheB次元官网网址檇 previously wear on some days.

B次元官网网址淚t lets my work do the talking, which is what IB次元官网网址檇 rather be known for anyway.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址擲almaan Farooqui, The Canadian Press