EMMA JOHNSON
GETTING A SANDAL ON THINGS
PYJAMAS, bedding, bath salts, hoop earrings and a griddle pan. No that is not the most random shopping list ever, it is what I bought in lockdown.
The earrings aside
(as I have previously documented, they are an ongoing addiction), that is worlds away from what my shopping habits usually look like.
High heels, Charlotte Tilbury lip gloss, Adidas trainers, Zara jeans and whatever catches my eye in H&M at the retail park where I pull in to escape the after-work traffic on the way home, would be a pretty accurate description of where my money usually goes.
While figures from nightwear specialist Cyberjammies – who report sales on its website at four times last year’s level since the start of April – suggest I am not alone in falling for the charms of a pair of quality PJs when stuck at home, they were not lockdown 2020’s most wanted.
That honour goes to... wait for it... Birkenstocks.
Yes the Germandesigned sandal which dates back to the 19th century was what we decided we needed when faced with a global pandemic.
Released this week, the Lyst Index Q2 report which ranks brands and products based on the online searches of more than nine million shoppers a month, reveals that from April to June, the most searched fashion item was Birkenstock’s Arizona sandals.
Comfortable, practical and stager of quite the fashion comeback in recent years, I can see why people were looking for the flatbed footwear with the buckled straps.
As if any more evidence of coronavirus’ effects on our shopping habits were needed, Lyst’s secondmost-popular item was the Marine Serre x R-Pur face mask.
Seen on the designer’s runway in moon print and later available with crystal trim, it features an in-mask filtration system, and could be yours for just £380. If it hadn’t sold out.
The Lyst Index also revealed that Nike was the most popular brand during the quarter.
Likely that was down to the fact so many of us spent lockdown exercising or at least wanting to look as if we were exercising when we ventured outside of our homes for that government prescribed one hour a day.
Lyst stated: “Nike was propelled by a 106 percent increase in demand for loungewear and activewear, as consumers sought comfortable clothes to wear at home, as well as attire for exercise and outdoor activities.”
However Nike also won praise for its reaction to the furore following the killing of George Floyd in the States, which included a viral video with the anti-racism message ‘Don’t Do It’, and the brand pledging $40 million to organisations furthering social justice.
Seems all we wanted in lockdown was comfy feet and a clear conscience.
IN other news this week, I received a report that claimed a quarter of women feel like lockdown has aged them. I don’t believe that to be the case at all for me.
I also refuse to believe I look anything like that blonde lady who appears in my seat during my office video calls.