Short shrift for thongs in loungewear era

BOTH have been politicised, and both have divided sartorial opinion for generations. Yet, it seems that both ties and thongs need no longer spark debate, because they’re no longer en vogue.

John Lewis has revealed how the shopping habits of its customers have changed in the past year, with Britons shunning more decorative items in favour of comfort.

The thong made a brief comeback in 2018. However, the high street retailer said sales fell six per cent this year as customers grew tired of the item.

“Instead, they opted for more comfortable and practical underwear” as “this year was all about loungewear”.

Up until July, the retailer said that sales of men’s ties were down by 75 per cent compared with the year before. “Formal workwear simply wasn’t required: it was all about dressing casually,” the retailer said in its trends report.

However, post-july, thanks to the return of weddings, reopening of some offices and “the Southgate effect”, with the England football manager wearing his navy polka-dot lucky tie during the Euros, sales bounced back by 200 per cent.

While some products have been neglected due to office closures throughout various lockdowns (filing cabinets have been discontinued as people opt for digital storage), one item that has seen a rather intriguing revival is that of the Speedo.

The trend for wild swimming helped sales of Speedo’s men’s swim briefs double over the year. There was also the “Tom Daley effect”: he won his Olympic gold diving medal wearing a pair of very small trunks. It has been a good year for the brand: total sales of Speedo swimwear have risen 79 per cent.

Pippa Wicks, executive director of John Lewis, said: “People have become clearer about what matters to them and their work-life balance has shifted towards life.”