According to Forbes (2024), traditional 9-to-5 jobs will be extinct by 2034. So why do we embrace corporate fashion when we’re increasingly drawn to entrepreneurship? Simple: there are higher demands on the younger generation in the business world. They are forced to grow faster and take on more responsibilities earlier than older generations. Because of this, they opt for professional, more mature clothing allure to gain respect at a younger age, potentially land a dream job, or build network credibility… but perhaps that reason is not so simple after all.
Whether it’s the Office Siren look, Quiet Luxury aesthetic, Old Money fashion, Finance Bro style, or even the recent TikTok “Very demure, very mindful…” trend, we can’t seem to get enough of these elevated looks that fuel the corporate fashion movement. We’re at a point where the sexiest thing is to be intelligent—and to look like it. This is a big reason why younger generations have become obsessed with these “I’m making money” aesthetic trends. Maybe they just want to look expensive and successful, aligning with these ideas. Or is it because the luxury market is shifting brands like Prada, The Row, Celine and more, to target younger generations instead of the traditional 40-50-year-old customers? There’s no single correct answer—rather, many.
However, the question remains: Is this style here to stay? With 77% of Gen Z (McKinsey, 2024) striving for a good work-life balance, and forecasting experts like WGSN predicting vibrant pops of color for upcoming seasons, will the grey neutrals of office fashion soon be forgotten? We’ve seen comfort dressing from the Covid pandemic fade away, so could corporate fashion also be nearing its expiration date?
Yet this season, models walked the runway dressed for the office, showcasing a variety of cubicle-friendly looks. This suggests a longer life cycle for corporate fashion, as women’s trends are bringing back the ’80s/’90s “Exec girl” style. This revival encourages a socio-economic “power dressing” mindset, empowering women to lead their lives beyond both patriarchy and capitalism.
Beyond these deeper sociological assessments, younger generations, including myself, are drawn to corporate fashion because it helps us look smart, serious, and more adult—qualities we value even at a young age. This applies to both men and women, as the corporate look is not only appealing but also a respectful way to bridge the age gap with older generations. It’s a style that allows us to find common ground with those who have more experience, giving us a sense of importance and respect in the professional world.
If creating a sense of purpose isn’t enough, social status plays a significant role in fueling the corporate-core aesthetic. During my travels to over 40 countries, I’ve noticed how different cultures portray wealth, and one key factor is how a person dresses. A corporate look is often associated with respect and an upper-class status. We see leaders in perfectly tailored suits—Armani, YSL, Tom Ford—and countries like the UK, Japan, Singapore, France, and parts of the U.S. (like New York) proudly embrace this. Think of the iconic Wall Street finance bros, whose suits represent prestige. In contrast, when we look at places like Miami, LA, and Spain, where it’s much hotter, the emphasis shifts to colorful attire, flashy accessories, and visible branding.
As younger generations become more ambitious in their pursuit of wealth and success, corporate fashion serves as a tangible way to project that image. Manifestation boards are filled with goals like “being the first in your family to become a billionaire” or slogans like “intelligence is the sexiest trait.” I live by this mindset and dress accordingly—I dress in the name of corporate fashion. Now, what’s your reason for dressing corporately?
Author Jolana Prokešová
“One of the things I love about fashion is how it intertwines with other forms of art. Whether it’s blending elements from dance, architecture, or visual art into a fashion presentation, it all unites to create a spectacular experience.”- Jolana Prokešová is a dynamic fashion business student with a diverse background in photography, event management, and interior design. With her keen insights and fresh perspective as a member of Gen Z, she’s uniquely positioned to observe the future of fashion.