By Valentine Fabre
Christian Vierig / Getty Images
Thanks to a generation that is not afraid to break norms and expectations, office wear has evolved from a corporate requirement to Gen Z's favourite new style.
Fashion trends are cyclical, and they often take inspiration from previous decades. As the 2000s saw vibrant and maximalist trends at the forefront of fashion, classic 90s fashion has now taken the lead. However, the latter has evolved to become a beacon for self-expression and experimental fashion.
As a result of rigid dress codes, office wear was essentially imposed on men who were in corporate positions in Western society. As more women flooded into the workplace in the 90s power dressing became the ultimate trend of the season. Filtering onto our screens in movies, sitcoms, and talk shows, power dressing consisted of, suits, pencil skirts, trousers, and dresses that emulated confidence whilst retaining a stylish element. It became a way to demonstrate authority by repurposing traditional menswear.
Getty Images (left) / Raimonda Kulikauskiene / Getty Images (right)
Today, as the younger generation is finally able to physically join the corporate world after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, workwear seems to be coming back stronger than ever. However, it displays a new, experimental look that symbolizes Gen Z's defiance of norms, nourished by a generation that is more openly fluid. The iconic micro skirt from Miu Miu's S/S22 collection has become a symbol of the new wave of experimental office wear. Layered with low-rise suit trousers, the mini skirt has become a dress code appropriate for a younger generation that is not afraid to have fun with their workwear.
Office wear has a long history of being repurposed by queer people. The tie, for example, is still widely associated with the LGBTQ+ community for making it more approachable. Today, more and more people are experimenting with office wear, blurring the lines between masculine and feminine wear. Lattimier, a Helsinki-based brand, delivered the future of office wear during CPFW SS24. Their experimental designs played with the questions of gender and traditional masculinity, using repurposed blazers, suits, and button-ups in highly sensual, if not erotic, ways.
Lattimier SS24
In a generation that does not care about norms and expectations, formalwear and workwear may seem like a counterintuitive approach. However, the new generation is embracing the codes of past generations to reappropriate them. Ties are worn above fishnet tops, blazers are paired with bikini tops, and asymmetrical suits are the norm. Office wear is no longer dedicated solely to corporate jobs, but rather it has become a blank canvas for self-expression.
This new wave of experimental office wear is a welcome change. It allows people to express their individuality and creativity in the workplace. It is also a sign of progress towards a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
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