Is it time to ditch the sweatpants? Consumers eyeing dressier fashion styles again

Fewer cases of COVID-19, more vaccine appointments, open restaurants and opportunities for travel all mean one thing: Americans are starting to emerge from behind their computer screens to socialize in person again, prompting a desire to dress up, or at least get out of those sweatpants and slippers and look presentable from top to bottom for the first time in a while. 

A year ago, when vacations were cancelled, weddings were postponed and workers were sent home from offices, Americans were quick to swap suits, dresses and other formal wear for more relaxed clothing. While apparel sales on the whole dropped, sales of items including sports bras and sweatpants grew 7% and 2%, respectively, according to the NPD Group, a market research company.  Now, as the pandemic drags on, there are early signals that consumers are getting sick of their stay-at-home wardrobes. Richard Hayne, the CEO of URBN, the parent company of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and other apparel brands, said on the company's most recent earnings call that he's seeing signs of customer interest in "going-out type apparel," such as dresses and men's slacks.