Transitional Apparel Designed to be worn for work and play, transitional apparel has been on the rise postCOVID. Here are some options that offer versatility, style and sustainability. By Hanna Brookshire DECIDING WHAT TO WEAR can be difficult. How do I dress for work, and then the happy hour – and what if it’s cold in the office? Many companies have switched the dress code from strictly professional to business casual. While ties and full suits are less common now, it’s hard to decide what exactly qualifies as business casual and how to make that work for events after hours. That’s where transitional apparel comes into play. Transitional apparel refers to any clothing item or accessory that’s suitable for both in and out-of-office wear. While these items make your life a lot easier, they can also help to reduce consumption and save money. When looking for transitional apparel, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Transitional apparel at its best should “deliver both style and versatility, allowing wearers to move from work to after-hours activities with ease,” according to AJ Dickson, senior category director at PCNA, PPAI 100’s No. 3 supplier. When looking for pieces, try to brainstorm how a person could wear them with items they already own to dress them up or down. Often the best transitional items are simple and classic, like a triedand-true cardigan or sleek button-down. This applies especially to a corporate apparel program, where companies can invest in timeless basics that suit multiple occasions. Capsule wardrobes are becoming increasingly popular, and transitional apparel should be able to help wearers shift from a large and mostly unworn closet to one in which they wear every item. According to Rebecca Klapper, director of marketing and branding at Boundless, PPAI 100’s No. 7 distributor, “in light of the underconsumption trend,” it’s important for products to “wow you with quality and comfort to be worth keeping in the rotation.” Keeping in mind the goals of versatility and style, here are some transitional apparel items that can elevate anyone’s closet and that employees will want to work into their wardrobes. LightField Studios / Shutterstock.com 14 • APRIL 2025 • PPAI Essentials | In Style
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