A study of 2,000 adults also found that the ideal capsule wardrobe now includes four casual skirts, four pairs of trainers and 10 t-shirts. But with many ditching office wear as they work from home, just four formal dresses are considered enough, along with six shirts or blouses. And it could be the end of the killer heel with just one in 20 planning to buy a pair of stilettos this winter, compared to 35 percent who want to splash the cash on some new trainers.
The study also found that this has resulted in 49 percent now owning more ‘relaxed’ clothes than ever before.
Kim Priest from centre:mk, which commissioned the research, said: “The study shows how shoppers are reinventing their wardrobes this season to create the ultimate flexi-wardrobe.
“The new flexi-lifestyle we’re all living means shoppers are adapting their clothing items to become smart casual capsule collections, pairing new items with their timeless classics like jeans and blazers, and designing their top half to be screen ready.
“Our research shows that shoppers are opting more for comfort particularly when working from home.
“However, while they’re a bit more relaxed in their attire, they are still keen to look as good as ever, often paring comfort on the bottom half with a smart top to take the children to school, jump on an important Zoom or for those rare real life social occasions we all want to make the most of.”
The study found that the new ‘flexi-lifestyle’ – working partially from home and the office and having social occasions in person and virtually – means 28 percent feel they need to give their wardrobe a refresh.
On average, the 25-34 year-old age group, have been the biggest spenders over the past few months, spending £123 on new fashion – with a fifth spending £200 or more.
But 18 percent of adults plan to buy more comfortable clothes to accommodate their new flexi-lifestyle.
In fact, the average adult expects to spend £103 on their autumn and winter look.
It also emerged that three in 10 are planning to buy more jumpers than they normally would have in previous years, while a quarter want to stock up on more t-shirts and hoodies.
However, a quarter of women plan on buying boots.
And the research, carried out via OnePoll, found Brits are planning to fork out £48 on beauty products for the autumn/winter season.
Prof Carolyn Mair PhD, behavioural psychologist and author of ‘The Psychology of Fashion’, who has collaborated with centre:mk, said: “Many people miss the opportunity to be spontaneous, so we are choosing clothing items that can be combined effortlessly to work in multiple contexts.
“This reduces uncertainty, increases confidence and provides a sense of control which in turn contributes to our wellbeing.
“What we wear is our second skin, it expresses who we are.
“Prior to the pandemic, we associated traditional workwear with conscientiousness and professionalism, but working from home has changed what we wear to perform our jobs and the associations that we make about appearance.
“We can exert and command authority in casual clothing in many different ways.
“Although we make a judgement about a person in under one second based on their appearance alone, we often change this when we know them better.”
The average Brits’ ‘flexi-wardrobe’ currently includes:
WOMEN
Jumpers 7
Jeans 5
Casual skirts 4
Smart skirts 3
Trainers 4
Loungewear -6
T-shirts – 10
Suits – 1
Day dresses – 5
Formal dresses – 4
Gymwear – 5
Suit trousers – 2
Coats – 5
Shirts / blouses – 6
MEN
Jumpers 5
Jeans 4
Trainers 3
Loungewear – 5
T-shirts – 10
Suits – 3
Gymwear – 3
Suit trousers – 3
Coats – 4
Shirts – 7
Chinos – 2