How Working Women are Overcoming The Great Resignation

February 9, 2022Leave a comment

As we reach the second year mark of the initial impact of COVID-19, a global awakening, nicknamed ‘The Great Resignation’, has swept through the entire world in just these past few months. Millions have voluntarily quit their jobs in midst of the pandemic in hopes of better opportunities and fair work environments. This has quickly forced many companies to revise hourly wages, benefits, and other perks in order to attract potential employees.

The demand of remote work

One ‘perk’ that many companies have made part of their working norm is remote working. First introduced in the beginning of the pandemic, many businesses temporarily closed their offices and shifted to the digital realm where employees quickly adjusted to the new work culture from the comfort of their homes. This new work style has become so important that according to Grow, “more than 1 in 5, 22%, said they would no longer consider working for an employer if work-from-home wasn’t an option”. This had a great impact on society and trends, especially fashion, where comfort became the priority of any everyday outfit. Many parted with their slacks and blazers and began dressing more casual in luxury ‘loungewear’, which according to Google Trends skyrocketed in searches by about 70% within April-December 2020 during the peak of the pandemic.

For days reserved for remote working, we recommend our Relax Wide Trousers, made especially with softness and comfort in mind. Pair it with any of our hoodies, made from the same Double Knit material, for optimum comfort and productivity! Although comfortable and soft as a cloud, these items have been designed and crafted to give the body gorgeous shape and dimension.

New meets old – hybrid working style

For the past two years, remote working has allowed women to balance and take control of their work life as well as their personal and family life. However, with many companies slowly beginning to open their office doors the work style that we have grown accustomed to has begun to morph once again, this time in the form of a ‘hybrid’ style. As employers observed the many benefits that came with remote working, companies have adopted the hybrid remote work style where employees have the freedom to choose days to work from home and at the office. According to a survey conducted by theSkimms, “two-thirds of millennial women say they believe they are missing opportunities by not being in the office, where they can discuss their career goals and development.” By implementing the hybrid work style, women will be able to be able to take control of their work and personal life and craft it to fit their needs.

So what will you wear to your first day back into the office? Nothing says you are naturally confident and ready to take on the new modern age like a pantsuit in pink! Equipped with shoulder pads, clean tailored lines and a silhouette designed to make you look taller, the perfect femme-chic suit should not only be empowering to wear but comfortable too – even for the home office. With stretch, machine washability and wrinkle resistance to make lives easier, it’s a no-brainer we want these always in our suits (and our suits are no exception).

Made from stretchy Double Cross material

The pursuit of entrepreneurship

With many businesses opening their doors once again and having employees come into work, mothers and many women with special circumstances who cannot leave their homes, have begun considering different career options that allow them more flexibility, one of them being entrepreneurship. According to Legaljobs, “47% of women started a business in the last year, compared to 44% of men”. By pursuing entrepreneurship, many women have regained control of their schedule and work-life balance, being able to fully indulge in their career without the responsibility or pressure of coming into the office and worrying about their children being cared for.

For our entrepreneurs who are ready to take on the world, we recommend our sleek, Kanazawa Peplum Knit Jacket to polish off the look for quick meetings, whether online or in person, without compromising comfort. Made from soft, luxurious and sustainable TENCEL™ material, it’s not only beautiful on the body, but kind to the planet. Choose from black or white to mix and match easily with your wardrobe! All kay me clothing items even our knitwear are of course machine-wash safe to ensure more freedom for your work and personal life without having to worry about visiting the dry cleaners!

Everything at kay me is lovingly made in Japan, with free worldwide delivery. For more lifestyle solutions, visit our online store today.

The New ‘Normal’ of Working Women

May 21, 2021Leave a comment

As we pass the one-year mark of the spread of COVID-19, there have been quite a few changes with our lives here in Japan, especially when it comes to daily activities such as work. As office meetings and conferences have shifted to virtual ones, the way we prepare for them from formulating outlines to planning what to wear has also shifted tremendously. Trousers and skirts have been replaced with sweatpants and loungewear, and classic work colors such as navy and gray have been opted out for fresh, bright colors such as yellow and red. Aside from appearance, another shift that has been observed is that consumers in Japan are opting for sustainable, domestically made clothing. Today, we’ll take a look at a few work fashion trends popular amongst women in Japan directly due to COVID-19, as well as a few predictions we have for the near future as the new ‘normal’ is established.

Going bright and bold

This past year has been full of teleworking rather than going into the office. Although in-office days have begun to trickle back, teleworking is still as popular as a year ago. According to a survey conducted by career support company Waris, a one of the most stressful aspects for women working from home has been the lack of communication and connection they have felt within their workplace. To combat this issue, many workplaces have increased online meetings. As these online meetings are still the main mode of communication for workplace teams, why not make it a special opportunity to boost morale and uplift the atmosphere – perhaps through the use of ‘color therapy’?

A confidence booster with our Berry Crewneck Cardigan

Interestingly, a trend that has become popular in the past year in Japan is the use of bright, bold colors which can easily provide extra liveliness during virtual meetings. For example, try adding a pop of color to your work wardrobe with a solid-color cardigan, like our vibrant Yellow Fresh Cardigan. As one of the Pantone Color of the Year 2021, bright yellow pieces have risen in popularity and worn to bring out one’s strength and positivity. Or for an instant boost of fiery confidence, try a rich red like our Berry Crewneck Cardigan or Red V-neck Cardigan. These gorgeous pieces can be worn over any outfit and are perfect for team meetings or presentations.

Bright and positive with our Yellow Fresh Cardigan

Comfort from underneath

As the restrictions have slowly (but surely) begun to lift here in Japan, days in the office have become more prevalent than this time last year.

Upon research, we discovered that in 2020 our most popular items came from our underdress collection, and we predict that they will continue to stay as our bestsellers in the upcoming months! Our versatile underdresses are available in an array of different sleeve lengths and material to fit any season or occasion. They’ve also been carefully crafted in order to fit perfectly under kay me dresses to optimize day-long comfort that all of our items guarantee. The shift from wearing loungewear and comfortable clothes during telework days has slowly returned to business attire and formalwear, but that doesn’t mean your clothes cannot be just as comfortable as your favorite pair of sweatpants, especially as these underdresses eliminate the need for girdles.

Our Underdress Collection in a range of designs

Traveling after COVID

According to a consumer survey conducted by Itochu Fashion System (IFS), 63% of all surveyees showed interest in traveling once the current situation with COVID-19 was alleviated. As options to travel will open in the near future, why not prepare by looking the part? Our loungewear collection makes the perfect companion for travel, whether the trip is hours away or just around the block.

Our Ivory Soft Hoodie, newly added to our First-Class Hoodie Collection, not only specializes in providing comfort for future trips, but pairs perfectly with our Relax Wide Trousers for a luxurious loungewear set. Whether for business or leisure, the kay me loungewear collection will have you traveling in style, and with stress-free comfort.

With a recent wave of consciousness on social media and a new light shone upon SDGs in Japan, it is reported that Japanese consumers are 68.5% more likely to choose an ethically made clothing item over its alternatives even if that means paying more (FUMIKODA). Due to the pandemic, there has also been a surge of demand for domestically-made items as well. Thankfully, when choosing kay me items, these factors are guaranteed for all of our collections so you can simply shop for your favorite items without worrying. As a new ‘normal’ has slowly established itself this past year, our mission is to continue supporting women in any and every challenge that comes their way. Since our establishment, we have worked towards providing women with sustainable clothing, including animal-friendly leather alternatives and bio-conscious triacetate chiffon. Whether purchasing our items online for our international customers, or in-store for those located in Japan, we hope that our items will provide you with familiar comfort and easy-care.

Whether searching for a classic jersey dress or a chic loungewear set, kay me is sure to have the perfect item that will fit the occasion even as the world faces constant changes.

5 Cozy pieces for Remote Working

May 4, 2020August 17, 2020Leave a comment

As working from home is becoming the new normal, figuring out what to wear to keep it professional yet comfortable has been a new topic of concern for many. So here are our 5 work from home pieces you can wear for casual and formal remote working styles.

Stay cozy and ready to be active with First Class hoodies

Whether you are off for a quick run to the grocery store or need to buckle down at the desk, or even relaxing on the sofa watching TV, a warm and cozy hoodie will keep you ready for any at-home situation.

Keep your legs covered with a Long skirt

While the webcam will only catch your upper half, it is easy to forget about your lower half. One of the top issues for career women when working from home is getting chilly legs. So keep them warm and covered in a long skirt. And you’ll never know if your lower half will need to make an on-screen appearance for a video call, so keep it light and flash a bright print long skirt to the camera.

Slip on a natural Long dress and you are set

For a casual work-from-home outfit you can complete in one-two-three, simply slip on a long dress and you can focus on your work and errands. And with a feminine print it looks great for online video calls too.

Add a chic touch with a Relaxed material

You can relax and be video-conference ready with the right material and design. Go for materials that feel soft on the skin like a cushiony-soft jersey or a fleeced lining for extra warmth. For material that wicks away moisture and keeps you cool, choose 100% cotton jersey. Combined with a simple design with a relaxed silhouette, you can stay truly comfortable and mobile and still look presentable for online meetings.

A Knit outer brings out the best of both worlds

When you want to maintain a true professional style from home, then look no further than a (machine-washable) knit cardigan or suit jacket that will keep you looking sharp and focused without compromising your comfort. And for true work-at-home advantage, you can easily take it for a spin in the washing machine and have it ready for another day!

To read more about the top concerns women have when working from home or to see more work-from-home styles, take a look at our recent survey results here

5 Simple outfits to wear on a Conference Call

April 20, 2020Leave a comment

When it comes to working remotely from home, it is easy to throw on items that you feel cozy in – like a sweatsuit, T-shirt or even pajamas. But when a conference call comes in, you want to make sure you look the part of an engaged worker with your eye on the ball. So here are 5 simple and sharp outfits you can wear for your next conference call, or to have ready when an unexpected one comes in.

Simple solids

Stay clean with solid color pieces that looks chic, business ready and comfortable. Opt for a top with subtle details around the neck or neckline such as a ribbon tie or lace. Not only do they look smart, feminine, and are easy to match with, they will look proper in the event of connectivity issues, poor picture quality, or on small windows on your screen.

2. Simple Print

The simpler the better also applies to prints. To look your best in case of poor-quality conference calls, avoid complex prints like geometrics or florals, or multi-toned ones – this could get lost in the picture and be distracting on the screen. A simple 2-toned print like polka dots or stripes can still look sharp for work and effortlessly transition to comfortable casual wear.

3. Cozy Knitwear

If you want to keep it comfortable then layer up with a turtleneck as a base for comfort that keeps its professional edge; or thrown a simple cardigan over a basic top. An easy, effortless way to put on a business look and stay comfortable all-day long at home.

4. Sharp Neckline

Your face and upper body will be the focal point your peers or clients will see, so wear a V-neckline to frame your face and make your neck look long and slender. Not to mention, V-necklines look clean, professional and in control – great for conveying you mean business.

5. Pastel Colors

Keep it light and add a little color to brighten up your screen with some pastels. Workwear doesn’t have to be only black and white, pastel colors can also look sharp and professional, and can lift up your mood and others. Choose a pastel jacket for a soft yet clean look or a mix and match with a smart pastel top.

Staying a little more dressed up for conference calls and while working from home can help you stay more confident, motivated and sharp for work at hand, and create strong interpersonal impressions with your peers and clients even through video calls.

For functional options you can wear on a conference call at home, take a look at our range of stretchy suit setups that move with your body – so you can work, stretch and run errands around the house without a wrinkle (of worry). Or have a look at 16 colorful looks you can wear for you next video conference or virtual function, styled by our store concierge, Aki.

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Category: work from home