Office Siren Aesthetic: The Rise of Soft Power Dressing
- Amelie
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Amelie looks into another trend for our Beauty and Style section. Is the office siren aesthetic fashionably empowering or a career risk? Or perhaps both?
Imagine tailored pants or pencil skirts and fitted shirts, paired with bayonetta glasses (think brands such as Miu Miu and Tory Burch) and kitten heels, and that sums up the exact outfit that fits this aesthetic. Classy and sophisticated with an alluring twist. Like many fashion trends as of recent, this aesthetic originated from social media platforms, primarily TikTok, drawing heavy inspiration from the late 90s and early 2000s corporate fashion and media. Movies from the early 2000s have also played a vital role in this trend, seeking inspiration from figures such as Gisele Bündchen from The Devil Wears Prada and Kate Hudson from How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days.
Brands such as Calvin Klein and Prada were some of the main influences in this trend; a reimagined style of the “power dressing” trends from the 1980s, renowned for their precise tailoring and structured blazers. Presently, the top brands who influence this trend are Miu Miu and Sandy Liang, specifically their 2023 collections, which included cardigans, coats and collared shirts. The colour palette features brown, blacks and creams, emphasising a focus on silhouette and accessories.
Power Dressing or a Rebranded Aesthetic?
Although, like most viral fashion trends, this aesthetic has also been met with its fair share of controversy.
In 2023, the ‘girlhood’ trend absolutely dominated social media, encouraging women to embrace their femininity through pastel wardrobes, girlish outfits and accessories such as hair bows. Over time, however, this trend slowly went down a slippery slope, blurring the lines between self-infantilisation and reclaiming femininity. When this coquettish trend ended, a new one took its place: the stylised version of a powerful member of the workforce, adding a seductive spin to the typical corporate office dress code.
In an interview with Vogue, Emily Sundberg, writer of the fashion business newsletter, Feed Me, argued that the current fascination with business clothing might simply be a continuation of the ‘girlhood’ tendency. She suggests that “that the power suit can easily be the opposite side of the girlhood coin.” While her words can easily be read as a critique, I believe women saw the risky direction the ‘girlhood’ trend was heading and revamped it, creating a style that was classy, professional, while maintaining a touch of femininity and stylishness.
You’re Not Breaking The Bank For This…
Gen Z is drawn to trends that combine Y2K and unique looks, making this trend especially popular amongst students due to its versatility. It is both professional yet stylish, not to mention easy to move around in as well. However, luxury brands are often unattainable and certainly not at the top of one’s priority list for most students. Fortunately, incorporating this aesthetic doesn’t require expensive purchases. If you have a long sleeved shirt, you can pin the excess fabric at the side to create a fitted shirt. Pair it with a cute skirt or with pants (detachable waist pin buttons are a good option to tighten any loose waistbands), and complete the look with some low pumps. Many of these clothes and accessories can also be found online through websites such as Lazada, Zalora or Zara. And thrifting, of course, is both an environmentally friendly and affordable option as well.
Despite the allure of this trend, it is important to remember the workplace isn’t exactly the most glamorised place, therefore fashion choices should align with the dress code of the office. For students, its aesthetic appeal mixed with its ability to show their confidence through their image is empowering, but for women in the workforce, practicality and professionalism should always be the priority. Taking it too far might lead to the perpetration of harmful stereotypes, such as women dressing for the male gaze, rather than professional goals. The key is making choices with awareness, to help create the perfect blend of style and appropriateness.
Comments