'Fundamentally shaken up': Why office wear trends have shifted so much since the pandemic

We've all seen those TikTok videos featuring office outfit suggestions that make you scratch your head and wonder if the person has ever actually stepped foot inside a professional workplace. 

From Ugg boots to crop tops, micro minis and blazers with nothing underneath, the line between office-appropriate and, well, anything but, seems to be blurring. 

It's even led to parody reels like this one by Nicole Pellegrino.

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But behind the humour it feels like some may have lost sight of what is actually appropriate to wear to the office.

HR expert Shelley Johnson from Boldside, has been noticing the evolving landscape of workplace attire. "There has definitely been a shift," she says.

"I think we've seen the old school corporate wardrobe get a bit of a shakeup. So back in the day when I was in my early HR career, I had two wardrobes. I had my personal wardrobe, which was all made up of vintage dresses. And then my work wardrobe was literally everything bought from Cue. And then enter Covid and work from home and it's fundamentally shaken up how we view the work wardrobe," she says.

She settled on a compromise, "For me instead of having pure blazer power suit dressing, which is what I used to do, I now have heaps of colour. I have heaps of fun outfits that are quirky, but they're still professional. And I think that's the key. If you're dressing at work, you have to find the tension point between bringing your own personality, but it's a little asterisk, it still needs to be professional."

Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, value self-expression and individuality, which is often reflected in their fashion choices. However, there's potentially a lack of understanding about traditional office norms because many started their careers remotely.

"It's not about stifling personal style, but about finding a balance," Johnson advises. 

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Many companies are adopting more relaxed dress codes post-pandemic, but relaxed doesn't mean anything goes. 

She suggests that employers clearly communicate their expectations to avoid confusion. "A good starting point is to specify what is acceptable and what isn't. For instance, Ugg boots might be comfortable, but they aren't suitable for most office environments."

"What you wear represents your personal brand, whether you like it or not. And people make assumptions based on what you wear.  If I walk around bare feet in the supermarket, people are going to make an assumption about me. If I walk into an office in a corporate setting, in Ugg boots, they make an assumption about me. That's really not something I can control. It just happens," she says.

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"What I've decided is I want to inject my personality by bringing colour and vibrancy to my work attire, but I still want it to be professional. I still want people to think, 'Oh yeah, she can be trusted'.  Wearing a crop top and active wear into a board meeting?  That's not going to be the best look," she warns.

According to Johnson, navigating this new terrain of office wear is about setting clear, realistic standards that acknowledge both the changing times and the need for professionalism. 

Communication is key. Employers should engage in open dialogues with their teams about dress expectations. Employees should feel comfortable expressing their personal style within the bounds of what's appropriate for their work environment.

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Social media undoubtedly influences fashion trends, and workplaces are not immune to this. Platforms like TikTok can be great for inspiration, but they also promote styles that may not be suitable for every setting. 

Johnson advises young professionals to use discretion and consider the source of the information, "If you are taking nutritional advice from someone who has not studied nutrition, well, can that person be trusted? It's the same for work. If I'm going to get advice from someone about things that are going to affect my financial livelihood, can they be trusted?"

So, as we navigate the post-pandemic workplace, it's clear that the definition of office-appropriate attire is evolving. While comfort and individuality are more valued than ever, there's still a need for a professional standard. It's not about stifling creativity or expression, but about understanding the context and dressing accordingly.

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"Anytime you rock up to a meeting, you want them to be like, 'I can trust that this person knows what they're doing, is reliable and is going to deliver a good outcome.'"

So, before you don that sheer shirt or pop on your Crocs, take a moment to consider if it's the best choice for your office and your personal brand. 

The line between personal style and professional attire might be shifting, but a little common sense and respect for workplace norms can go a long way.

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