With coronavirus continuing to spread in the U.S., employees are settling in at their home offices for at least another four to six weeks. That’s created some new work-from-home (WFH) shopping habits at both retail and promo.

Walmart said sales for tops are up while pants are down as remote employees dress up their top halves for video conferencing and webinars. “These behaviors are going to continue to change and evolve as people get accustomed to this new lifestyle,” Dan Bartlett, Walmart’s executive vice president of corporate affairs, told Yahoo Finance.

My boyfriend has a zoom meeting w an attorney for one of his classes today. Here is his beautiful mess of an outfit, featuring business casual attire up top and complimented by sweats and slippers on the bottom. This is peak work from home fashion you can't tell me otherwise. pic.twitter.com/W0DSVE5Jza

— Amanda Laughead (@suitandtiemando) April 1, 2020

Gap told CBS News there’s been a similar trend across all its stores (Gap, Athleta and Old Navy) as well as jumps in sales of leisurewear like sweatshirts and bottoms such as joggers, leggings and sleepwear. And it could prove to be a long-term trend as employees adjust to WFH setups and management keeps remote work policies in place even after the virus is gone.

Welcome to work from home dressing day to night: one pair of girlfriend leggings worn with a "Zoom call fashion from the waist up" choice for 9-5 quickly changed for my favorite sweatshirt I wear everyday 😂 pic.twitter.com/POfuicugC8

— lindsfrances (@lindsfrances) March 30, 2020

The promotional products industry has seen a similar sales pattern these past few weeks. Among the styles that Top 40 supplier SanMar suggests for end-buyers’ clients with remote workers are T-shirts with added stretch (DT7500/DT7501), stain-release polos (K510/L510), lightweight quarter-zips (DM392), super-soft open-front fleece (LOG911) and athletics-inspired track jackets (JST94/LST94).

A tricot track jacket (JST94/LST94) from SanMar is a good fit for remote tech employees and student distance learners.

“We want to feel comfortable and cozy while working from home, so we’re drawn to tactile, soft and protective styles like sweaters and fleece,” says trend editor Vicki Ostrom. “At the same time, we need to look professional and create a good impression on video calls.”

Ostrom says a virtual meeting attendee’s on-screen image size, determined by the number of people in the meeting or webinar, can change how different colors, patterns and shapes “read” to other viewers. “This is a new puzzle people are working to solve,” she says. “Getting to the right answer for each company may take a few tries, and sales could be reflecting that. There’s been a lot of experimenting to figure out what’s appropriate and comfortable.”

This scoop neck tee (DT7501) from SanMar combines a sophisticated look with a comfortable cotton/poly/spandex construction.

Taraynn Lloyd, vice president of marketing at Edwards Garment (asi/51752), says a good piece to suggest for WFH is a “soft and comfortable” easy-care unisex quarter-zip (3442) made of a poly/spandex blend for extra comfort that transitions well between video calls, lunch with the kids and dog walks. Embroidery on the left chest is a welcome element for video conferences and webinars.

Edwards Garment has a unisex performance pullover (3442) that’s made of lightweight, wicking, easy-care polyester/spandex.

“Tops seem to be all the rage right now,” she says. “Last week, sales were 65% tops and 35% bottoms.” Meanwhile, they continue to fill orders for essential staff, like jackets and polos for healthcare workers and oxford shirts and blazers for security guards.

Leisurewear supplier Boxercraft (asi/41325) has had a “steady flow of orders” for its garments these past few weeks, says Sherri McCarrell, director of marketing services. Her colleague Kelly Russell, vice president of wholesale, adds that they’re seeing a pickup in orders for bottoms, particularly their flannel pants.

These Boxercraft flannel pants with pockets (F20) from S&S Activewear (asi/84358) come in 60 different colors.

For end-buyers with remote employees, consider putting together a kit that includes both comfortable-yet-refined tops and comfy bottoms as a thank-you gift for their hard work and patience during the current crisis.

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