What is loungewear and how can your business leverage the new fashion wave?

Loungewear has become a hugely popular product style. In the UK, businesses are importing and selling loungewear to a generation of professionals wanting comfort without sacrificing style. Here's how your business can leverage the trend.

what is loungewear
Huda Sharaia
August 23, 2022

What is loungewear?

Loungewear is comfortable clothing, often associated with track pants and oversized t-shirts. Loungewear has become a hugely popular product style, as people have raised the demand for comfortable alternatives to ordinary workwear and daily-wear clothing. 

In the UK, we value durability and comfort as well as style. Largely due to COVID’s influence, we now wear loungewear to work and our Zoom meetings, going from wearing track pants around the house to picking up the kids in matching co-ord sets. With nearly half of UK workers working from home in COVID’s wake, employees have realised that feeling comfortable outweighs traditional workwear expectations. 

Major fashion brands have also picked up on the rising loungewear trend, providing high-end loungewear options (where a single loose fitting shirt or crew neck jumper can cost in the £500+ range!) 

Businesses have profited from leveraging loungewear due to its versatility and easy customisation options. Available in a range of clothing staples, like track pants and jumpers, to on-demand chic pieces like cashmere knit pants, or seemingly endless options for children’s clothing, loungewear is now a go-to wardrobe staple for UK consumers. 

How can your UK business leverage the new fashion trend? 

Loungewear is a great option for work wear, office freebies or even merchandise, as loungewear can be manufactured to fit your company’s design, colours and ensemble. 

For businesses that import clothing to the UK, loungewear is also an excellent opportunity to source high-quality items to a generation full of professionals wanting to look presentable without sacrificing comfort. Sweatpants, leggings and hoodies have become viable options for work wear, in large part due to loungewear manufacturers providing elevated options in terms of material, sizing and customisation elements. 

  1. What is loungewear? 

There’s a reason jeans will never be considered Loungewear. Loungewear is cosy clothing! Loungewear pieces often don’t include clasps, prominent zips or any product features that could catch or stick into you. Loungewear pieces like modal jogger pants are uber comfortable, breathable and easy to wear. They’re designed for rest and relaxation, yet, as we’ve established, UK consumers are also wearing loungewear outside of their homes. 

  1. How customisable is loungewear? 

Loungewear is highly customisable. Businesses can create bespoke loungewear that is tailored to their brand, design aesthetic and target audience. Businesses have a range of customisation options available in order to differentiate their loungewear products. Some loungewear customisation options include: 

  • Materials and fabric blends
  • Drawstrings or waistbands
  • Customised branding or graphics
  • Different cuts and silhouettes
  • Colour options
  • Unique design features

  1. Where can I source loungewear from?

Businesses that import loungewear to the UK can source it from manufacturers across Asia, with China being a particularly popular manufacturing hub. China has a large and well-established textile industry, with a wide range of manufacturers producing high-quality loungewear at competitive prices. Businesses can connect with Chinese loungewear manufacturers through platforms like Alibaba, attending trade fairs, or working with a sourcing agent. 

Vietnam is also emerging as a strong alternative for clothing manufacturing, with lower labour costs and growing technical capabilities. This makes it an increasingly attractive option for UK businesses sourcing loungewear. 

  1. What are the different types of loungewear? 

There are many types of loungewear. Comfortable and relaxed clothing can range from everyday basics such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, and leggings to more structured garments like jumpsuits and dresses. Loungewear often comes in sets and pairs, such as matching jogger sets, or track suits. Popular loungewear types include:

  • Joggers/Sweatpants
  • Leggings 
  • Wide-leg pants
  • Crew neck jumpers 
  • Zip-ups and hoodies
  • T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts
  • Shorts and skirts 
  • Socks and slippers

Read more: 5 Hemp clothing benefits (for you, your planet and your business)

  1. Is loungewear unisex? 

Loungewear is worn by people of all genders, ages, and body types. Many loungewear styles are designed to be unisex, such as basic t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatpants. The rise of body-positive movements and gender-neutral fashion has fuelled demand for unisex loungewear options. Importing loungewear from China to the UK allows you to target a wide range of potential customers. 

For anyone looking to import loungewear from China to the UK

Loungewear is multi purposeful and presents the opportunity to enter several different market segments. When it comes to importing loungewear, UK businesses have many options to consider: 

  • Men, women and kids
  • Work wear and leisurewear
  • Budget, mid-range and premium market positioning 
  • White label, private label, or fully custom OEM products

How can my business import loungewear from China? 

Looking to import loungewear from China for your UK business? Here are some steps you can follow:

  1. Research the market and identify your target audience
  2. Determine the type of loungewear you want to import
  3. Find reliable Chinese manufacturers through platforms like Alibaba or Global Sources, or work with a sourcing agent
  4. Request product samples to test quality
  5. Negotiate pricing, MOQ, and terms
  6. Arrange shipping and UK customs clearance

Working with a sourcing agent like Epic Sourcing UK can simplify the entire process, handling everything from supplier identification through to quality control and logistics. 

Is Epic Sourcing right for your loungewear business?

Yes! We’ve helped businesses source high-quality loungewear from China. We can help you find suppliers, negotiate prices, ensure product quality and manage the shipping process. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help your business leverage the loungewear trend.

07551 136406