Nonactive casual clothing represents more than half of the US fashion industry’s sales. This category includes casual pants, polo shirts and blazers. It does not include active wear, outerwear, tailored apparel and underwear. Casual is becoming more specialized. Casual styles have embraced fabrics that formerly were the sole domain of active wear, such as antimicrobial and wicking fabrics. Other features in demand include stain-resistant and wrinkle-resistant clothes.

Fashion’s future depends on casual clothing. But today’s casual fashion is different from what was once referred to as sportswear in the American fashion industry. Along with casual, comfort is a major concern for consumers. The definition of everyday apparel has no clear boundaries. Specialty stores take up 29 per cent of the American casual wear business. Department stores make up 15 per cent of the market and off-price retailers make up 14 per cent. Growth in casual wear market is expected to come from off-price and manufacturer-owned/direct-to-consumer stores. In the 12 months ending May 2019, total US sales of sweats and active bottoms, including adults’ and children’s products, grew eight per cent and sleepwear sales increased two per cent. Sweats, swimwear, dresses and sleepwear are expected to drive fashion-industry growth.