Workwear has been having a moment recently. Maybe it’s a result of the mass migration back to the office post-pandemic, or Gen Z’s desire to get all of their clothing at thrift stores where discarded ’90s skirt suits abound. The answer may never be known! What you can count on, though, is supermodels, Instagram-famous celebrities, and A-list actors alike embracing corporate-America-core in all its glory as their latest style aesthetic.
While Gen Z and millennials have pushed for a more casual, fashionable work environment over the past few years (think denim, sneakers), ’90s workwear embraces the chic, outdated yet cool manner of dressing your mom is more attuned to—but super sexy. Instead of embracing the poodle hair and shoulder pads reminiscent of office attire in the ’70s and ’80s, models off-duty are going for sleek suit jackets, fitted pencil skirts, and body-hugging vests as a way to tap into the trend.
Just yesterday Kendall Jenner gave the trend her stamp of approval, wearing a silk fitted pencil skirt, a tailored deep-V jacket, and transparent heeled sandals. Sure, corporate-America-core is a fashion aesthetic, but it’s a lifestyle reserved for girl bosses as well—Kendall’s smoky makeup and sultry eyes added a ’90s touch to her full look.
When it comes to ’90s workwear, Hailey Bieber is probably the queen of it. Over the last few days, the Rhode Skin founder has been wearing tiny sunglasses, miniskirts, and oversized jackets: all components integral to the office aesthetic.
Workwear isn’t restricted to boring beiges and blues. Actor Naomie Harris’s pastel two-piece shorts suit is for sure going into my online cart so I can wear it in to the office this summer.
Jordyn Woods is the trend’s savior, naturally. The aesthetic has a few high-end references—notably, in Woods’s case, ’90s Chanel under the direction of the late Karl Lagerfeld. The influencer’s black-and-white pinstripe dress, along with her silver chain belt, is more than enough inspiration to revamp your office wardrobe.
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While wearing a bra as a top may not be the most appropriate choice in the eyes of human resources, no one would be able to send a fax quite as fashionably as Persuasion actor Dakota Johnson.
Johnson in a tie? A TIE! Literally, thank God. We don’t deserve her and her lime-filled kitchen.
Lori Harvey jumped in on the trend, wearing a buttoned corset, courtesy of Burberry, and a pair of tailored black trousers. I just know she would run the employee kickball league like the navy.
Yup, even queen supreme Bella Hadid got in on the trend, opting to wear a knee-length patterned dress over a collared button-down shirt and adding a string of pearls. It’s very much giving Andy Sachs realness from The Devil Wears Prada. My rule of thumb continues: If it’s good enough for Bella, it’s good enough for me.
