Lululemon survey finds vast majority of Asian workers want to ditch suits for T-shirts, shorts and yoga pants
- In a nod to growing appeal of athletic wear, brands such as Levi’s that are not associated with the segment have been acquiring ‘athleisure’ companies to be more competitive
- Survey results significant for Lululemon, whose net revenue from company-operated stores rose 142 per cent in the second quarter
More than four in five consumers across Asia-Pacific hope T-shirts, shorts and yoga and jogging pants are here to stay in offices, as companies adopt hybrid or flexible work arrangements, according to a survey conducted by fitness apparel maker Lululemon Athletica.
Of the more than 6,000 individuals surveyed, 96 per cent said comfort was their priority when it came to choosing clothes. And with more companies allowing employees to work from home or choose remote work, 84 per cent said they hoped casual clothing becomes more common in workplaces.
“The results of this survey reinforce Lululemon’s belief that wearing clothes that make you feel good is non-negotiable,” said Sun Choe, chief product officer of the Vancouver-based and Nasdaq-listed company. “The data provides long overdue recognition that professional work wear can and should be functional, versatile and comfortable. And when it is all three, it can positively affect performance, confidence and more.”
When the coronavirus pandemic spread last year, companies across the globe were forced to allow employees to work from home, ushering in one of the world’s largest experiments about work practices. And with workers becoming used to online meetings and remote work, where less formal attires were unlikely to raise eyebrows, a full or partial return to offices could potentially mean a disruption to this new-found freedom and comfort for many employees.
