What women wear has always been under the spotlight. Heels or flats? Jeans or a skirt? Cleavage or cover-up?
Fortunately, times have changed, and today, self-love and dressing for yourself is everything. To find out more, we delved into attitudes around clothes to investigate how different styles and accessories help us feel bold, sexy or more confident.
Lockdown and self-esteem
While some of us embraced pyjamas, loungewear and other comfy favourites during lockdown, others have struggled. Around 27% of Brits say they're more concerned about the way they look now, compared to 11% who aren't.
And while June 21st, the end of lockdown in the UK, should be a huge reason to celebrate, it also sadly has many people feeling pressured, with Google searches for 'June 21st diet' and 'June 21st outfit' peaking in the UK.
Power suit vs cool and casual
It’s all about the mood. Work clothes have a massive impact on confidence and how we want to be perceived at the office.
Unsurprisingly, smart shirts and pencil skirts help 80% of women feel authoritative, trustworthy, competent and productive at work. And when we want to feel more approachable and friendly, casual clothing wins!
Comfort trumps style
Comfy clothing really had its moment in 2020 when everyone started working from home. Regardless of how formal people look on Zoom, 60% of women admit to wearing comfy loungewear, like joggers, hoodies or PJs, while working from home.
That's because 8 in 10 of us are into practicality over luxury and 7 in 10 prefer comfort over style. We’re so in love with how comfy clothes make is feel that smart clothes have been pushed to the back of the wardrobe to make way for a new selection of comfy lounge jumpers and joggers, with many shopping for a more comfortable and casual wardrobe.
@mx.reginaspade rocking the Tease Me hosiery, shot by @stellinaphotography.
Slaying in stilettos vs. feeling fab in flats
As much as we love high heels, comfort trumps style in the shoe department too. Most women prefer to ditch their heels in favour of snug trainers as often as possible. Around 35% who usually wear heels say they’re donning trainers for the time being, but this will probably change when date night becomes a thing again!
Feeling playful in lingerie vs comfy basics
We already know that gorgeous lingerie can be the ultimate confidence boost. But has lingerie confidence gone out the window during lockdown in favour of comfortable staples? (Or nothing at all!)
While many women admit to ditching bras over lockdown, the truth is we still love a sexy little something. We polled over 180,000 women to ask about their lockdown sex lives, and the responses show the majority are using this time to feel playful, sensual and powerful and to have fun with our other half – something we've been doing a lot more regularly over this past year!
Unlike other clothing items, many women have used this period to grow their lingerie collection, with Google searches for 'sexy lingerie' increasing 28% year on year. That's a lot more women getting playful and experimental in the bedroom, prioritising 'special' lingerie over the basic bra and knicker combo, and hopefully feeling new levels of inner confidence.
So, what's the ultimate confidence-boosting combo?
'When it comes to clothing, women and confidence, the most important thing is that women feel happy in what they're wearing. Style and appearance are important, but comfort is too. At Playful Promises, we strongly believe in providing different options for women in all shapes and sizes to accommodate every woman's lingerie confidence in what she wears. And it's great to know that with more options available, women are feeling more lingerie and are experimenting with it more and more.'
- Emma Parker, Founder of Playful Promises
We're all about our own needs and comfort
At Playful Promises, we're all about women taking charge of their style and confidence and doing what feels right for them and no one else! We're loving the fact that so many women feel the same — whether that's feeling fierce in a tailored suit or happy in some PJs on Zoom.
Right now, loungewear is making women feel great working from home. And perhaps on June 21st, workwear will be back. Who cares as long as you feel gorgeous!
Tap into your inner feminine confidence – shop the Playful Promises collection today.
