Lately, many major companies are rolling out requirements for employees to start coming into the office, which many employees aren't too thrilled about. A major point of contention? What we have to wear.  

Many Americans working from home have traded in pencil skirts and blazers for the casual comforts of home or maybe a nice shirt for zoom, but casual shorts.  

But the truth is, this isn't a new development thanks to the pandemic. U.S. revenue for men's suits declined from $2.2 billion in 2013 to $1.9 billion in 2018. And to look even further back, an estimate in 1948 from a clothing manufacturers association put that revenue at $12.5 billion with inflation. 

The pandemic may have accelerated the trend, but the decline in formalwear has been going on for decades now.  

In the mid-20th century, formalwear was not just an office staple. For both men and women, suits and hats were the standard for everyday activities: from shopping for groceries to going to the movies to watching sports games.  

But major fashion trends in the '60s and '70s opened the door for more variety within formalwear, especially as new styles were being seen on television.  

SEE MORE: California Bans Discrimination Based On Natural Hair

Colorful power suits and trousers were in, and outfits that could be worn both to the office and after-work drinks were seen as more practical and fashionable. It was what Esquire Magazine called "the rise of loose-collar culture." 

Soon, the rise of casual wear would become unstoppable, thanks to the khaki pants and button-down collared shirts in Silicon Valley.  

The '80s and '90s saw the invention and rise of "business casual," what this 1995 article from the Chicago Tribune declared was a "confusing" new world. Silicon Valley has already embraced a culture of rule-breaking, creativity, and risk over conformity.  

The rise of "athleisure" clothes during the past decades, like yoga pants and workout sneakers, coincided with this. By the time we reached the 2000s, formalwear was confined to only certain industries, and outside the office could be seen mostly during special occasions like weddings.  

Though it's worth noting, not even traditional industries might be so strict on the suit much longer! In 2019, Goldman Sachs relaxed their dress code to "business casual."

Some fashion experts have noted that the cultural implications of formalwear have been transferred to some areas of casual dress.  

Being able to work remotely and thus dress casually is more common in white-collar industries. One could argue there's a new flex of status with high-end athleisure brands like Lululemon, or streetwear from luxury brands like Gucci.  

Changes in culture shape our changes in fashion, and we can trace those changes through our decline in formalwear.  

Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. 

Just when we thought U.S. travel rules were starting to stabilize, along comes omicron.

The dominoes fell quickly after South African health authorities informed the world of their discovery of the omicron variant of the coronavirus on Nov. 26.

The Biden administration rolled out controversial travel bans on arrivals from eight nations in southern Africa. Travelers found themselves unexpectedly stranded. And now U.S. officials have said they will be tightening travel regulations again.

Things are changing by the day and even by the hour, but here are some of the questions people have about U.S. travel rules — and answers we have right now:

Are testing rules for entry into the US changing?

Yes, according to President Joe Biden's announcement on Thursday of new measures aimed at curbing the pandemic.

All inbound international travelers will soon be required to test within one day of departure for the United States.

This new time frame will apply to everyone, "regardless of nationality or vaccination status," the plan outlined on the White House website says.

According to the plan posted, the tightening of the testing protocol will happen "early next week."

Currently, vaccinated travelers are required to test within three days of their departure. There is a requirement for foreign travelers arriving in the United States to be fully vaccinated.

Unvaccinated Americans and legal permanent residents are allowed to enter the country with a test taken within one day of departing for the United States. The new rule will make the testing time frame one day for everyone.

Biden also announced that the federal mask mandate requiring travelers to wear masks in airports, on planes and on other modes of public transportation such as trains and buses has been extended through March 18.

Is there a post-arrival testing or quarantine requirement?

There is not. "We're not announcing any steps on post-arrival testing and quarantine," a senior administration official said in a press briefing on Wednesday evening.

"I will say — look, if additional measures are recommended, if additional measures can be implemented well and are effective, we won't hesitate to take them, but we're not taking them today," the official said, according to a White House transcript of that briefing.

What countries fall under the new US travel ban?

The travel bans announced on Nov. 26 bar entry into the U.S. of noncitizens coming from eight countries in southern Africa. They are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

On Nov. 27, the CDC placed them all at Level 4 "very high" risk for COVID-19. (Botswana was already at Level 4 because of its caseload — more than 500 per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.)

Citizens of those nations and citizens of other nations who have been traveling there in the past 14 days are currently not allowed entry into the United States.

Can US citizens already in those nations return?

Yes, they can.

Per the White House proclamation, the CDC says that "citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States, certain family members, and other individuals who meet specified exceptions, who have been in one of the countries listed above in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United States."

As of Dec. 2, they still had to follow the rules already in place to re-enter: A negative result from a COVID-19 test within three days of travel if fully vaccinated and within one day of travel if unvaccinated.

Can US citizens still travel to the banned nations?

Technically, yes.

At least two U.S. carriers are still flying back and forth from South Africa. Delta Air Lines is still offering Atlanta-Johannesburg service, and United Airlines is still offering Newark-Johannesburg service.

United Airlines is also resuming nonstop service between Newark and Cape Town, according to a news release from South African Tourism. The release also said, "we would like to emphasize that our country remains open for all those travelers who wish to visit."

Whether it's advisable to go is another matter. The CDC advises against it.

You might also encounter new travel barriers. For instance, Zimbabwe imposed a lockdown and mandatory quarantine on Nov. 30, for travelers, state-run news agency NewZiana reported.

Going to southern African nations while bans are in place around the world might cause you to be banned from going to other countries. For instance, the United Kingdom is not allowing anyone who has been to "red list "countries — which include Angola and Zambia as well as the eight discussed above — from entering except its own returning citizens.

Argentina, Canada, Italy and other nations also have put bans in place, each with their own specific parameters.

What is the US doing to detect the virus?

The CDC said it would expand omicron surveillance at four major U.S. international airports.

The CDC also confirmed to CNN on Wednesday that officials have directed airlines carrying passengers that have been to certain southern African nations to share those passengers' contact information with the agency.

Airlines have already been gathering contact information from passengers under a CDC contact tracing order that has been in effect since Nov. 8.

CINCINNATI —

DORA cups are coming to downtown Cincinnati before Opening Day and that means you can take your favorite beverage to-go and hop from bar to bar along The Banks without a problem.

City officials said there's still a lot being finalized, but the excitement along Freedom Way is building.

"I think it's a good idea because everyone's been so cooped up in their houses for this long and honestly, people want to get out and have fun," Rob Weidig said.

Weidig is excited because you can soon grab a drink and take a stroll or dance if you'd like, outside at The Banks.

"I think it would be a first glimpse of normalcy for everyone and I think that's what we need. We need hope and we need progress moving into the future," Dan Collins said.

City council approved a "Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area" and pedestrian walkway to help restaurants and bars hurt by the pandemic.

People can grab a boozy beverage in a sanctioned DORA cup and share in the Cincy love of spring.

Officials said the hours will run from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m., once the DORA is up and going.

Cold beer, libations and bourbon will be more mobile than ever before in time for Reds Opening Day.

"I think it's exciting. I think more people will actually come with it being outside," Liz Brohas said.

Jackie Reau, with Game Day Communications, said DORA on The Banks will start with a toast on March 25 and an announcement of guidelines.

She said there are plans to install signage, mapping and sidewalk tattoos throughout the district's 85 acres and there will be extra law enforcement.

The DORA stretches from Paul Brown Stadium to Heritage Bank Center, from Second Street to Mehring Way.

"In the summer, they did that thing on like Newport on the Levee and it was really awesome to be outside and, like, just feel, like, more normal," Gretchen Hinkel said.

Reau said officials are also working on guidelines to prevent groups from growing too large, and she said the district will follow mandates including social distancing.

People we talked with are ready to take their cups outside.

"I think it's really exciting. I mean, during Bengals games, they kind of do a little mini-version of that right here and there's such a good response. Everyone loves being outside, carrying their drink from place to place," Olivia Kennedy said.

Officials said you cannot bring your own beverage to the DORA.

People who venture outside of the DORA with their cups could be on the hook for an open container violation.

We also reached out to the mayor's office for more insight into the plans, guidelines and rules, but a spokeswoman did not return a call, text or email.

In light of new guidance for vaccinated people by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local businesses are taking extra cautionary steps to keep patrons safe.

"Since we've heard of this, I definitely understand that we're going to see a wide range of responses from businesses in terms of what they want and what they don't want," Louisville Downtown Partnership president Rebecca Matheny said.

There is a sign on the door of Chestnut Street bar Meta outlining the new mask policy after the CDC released new guidance allowing for vaccinated people, in most cases, to go without a mask inside and out.

"We realized if we don't have a cogent policy on this, we're going to end up in a lot of disagreements with people," owner Jeremy Johnson said.

On the door, the sign says vaccinated people who can show proof are able to take their mask off inside. Patrons who cannot show proof or have not been vaccinated are asked to keep their masks on unless seated.

"Do you want to carry your vaccine card or do you want to carry a mask?" Johnson asked. "It's one or the other. Both are a little inconvenient, I get it but if people really hate wearing a mask, all you got to do is show me that you're vaccinated. No big deal."

Bartenders are checking vaccination cards and IDs.

"My staff just felt it was best to verify proof and if not, it's really not a big deal to wear your mask if you have to go from your table to the restroom," Johnson said.

With a range of options for businesses to adopt as far as rules within the establishment, Matheny said people should expect different rules at different places with the new guidance.

"I trust our business owners to make decisions that are right for their businesses," Matheny said.

Shop-bar also posted on their Facebook page they would ask to see vaccination cards for patrons who wanted to go maskless indoors.