Athleisure trend may have staying power

Companies such as Athleta, Target and Wilson are betting that Americans who grew comfortable wearing jogger pants and other athletic wear will continue to do so even as more people become vaccinated and restrictions imposed as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic are lifted. “We expect that desire to be comfortable … to continue for the foreseeable future,” said Diana Smith, Mintel’s associate director for the U.S. retail and apparel industries. “It’s not a trend, it’s more of a lifestyle.”