We can all agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down and every field of life has been affected by it. We have had to adapt many aspects of our lives and adjust overnight. The Coronavirus has also drastically affected the fashion industry as billions of dollars of clothes that were pre-ordered were cancelled, sales have gone down by 40% and consumer behaviour has changed in general. Going forward, the fashion world is not going to be the same and there are going to be further changes during and after COVID-19. Here are some of our predictions:
Online Shopping
We have witnessed a boom in online sales over the last 10 years and after COVID-19, we believe that consumers will continue to buy more clothes online. As the current pandemic has forced us to shop more online, we have in the process also realized that this is also convenient for us. Many high street retailers have closed up shop and more and more people are relying on online shopping rather than having to queue outside their favourite retailer just to get in.
Sustainable Fashion
Unfortunately, the fashion industry is the second largest industry in the world that pollutes our environment. Thanks to fashion trends changing season after season, the more we manufacture, the more we are contributing to polluting our water, land and air. During current pandemic, we have realized how much damage we have done towards our planet. Being in lockdown has forced may shops to close and although it is unfortunate for those businesses this has given us a ray of hope too. The global air pollution has dropped drastically, and we have seen wildlife enjoying more of the open air. Realizing this, people have become more cautious about what they are buying, and they are now promoting sustainable fashion.
The Essential Accessory
The sales of face masks has gone up by 300% as the current pandemic continues. As masks have become mandatory, we are thinking we might as well look good wearing them. We have seen that women are buying clothes more that come with matching masks. The fashion retailers will keep on producing new designs and styles of face masks to try and give consumers more choice.
Made to Order
As already discussed, billion dollars of orders were cancelled at the start of the pandemic and the fashion industry faced a heavy loss because of it. The structure of the fashion industry is now changing, and the concept of ready-made dresses are being declined. Both the retailers and customers are moving towards custom services.
