Online retailer search engine Shopzilla just release a study covering Apparel trends for online buyers. Their BizRate Research division said casual clothing is the current trend in the work place.
According to Shopzilla, the survey covered 1,396 online buyers and respondents represented full-time office workers from the government/military, education/training and healthcare to technology and even entertainment.
The study said 50% of women and 47% of men have worn jeans to work recently. The study also 30% of those surveyed said a casual attire environment made them more productive and less than 4% it made work more difficult. The study went so far as to show 30% of women hadn’t worn nylons in over a year.
The rest of the press release goes on to discuss the break down for dress codes in work environments and the how the business casual dress code is by far the largest at more than twice of the next closest category.
“People want to work and play all in the same outfit,” said Helen Malani, chief shopping expert, Shopzilla. “Seventy-five to eighty percent of respondents stated comfort and cost dictate most clothing purchases but, as casual dress has evolved over the years, we’ve also seen casual clothing prices evolve too. High-end jeans and tops can cost up to $500 each so it’s really important to comparison shop for the best price.”
Top clothing and accessories searches during the summer on Shopzilla revealed that casual apparel searches such as sandals, Birkenstocks, Baby Phat, and casual chic brands like Juicy Couture, New Balance, Lacoste shoes and Seven Jeans topped the apparel list. Shopzilla, which has more than 30 million products and more than 55,000 stores, literally has the A-Z of formal and casual clothes – from angora knee socks and leather chaps to zebra-print shoes.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.