Sandy Liang, a downtown designer known for her coquettish designs, made a shift in her collections between the spring and fall of 2024, moving from sheer lace babydoll dresses to more office-appropriate skirt suits. This shift reflects a larger trend in women’s fashion that exposes socioeconomic expectations for women under patriarchy and capitalism. The girlhood trend that dominated 2023, with its focus on femininity and sensitivity, began to take a turn towards gender essentialism and self-infantilization, raising questions about the political implications of reclaiming femininity. The quick decline of the girlhood trend paved the way for a new aesthetic – the office siren, or corporate fetish – characterized by sexed-up office wear that combines professionalism with sensuality.
The office siren trend, also known as “corpcore,” has gained popularity among young women on social media platforms like TikTok, despite many of them not having corporate work experience. This trend has extended beyond social media to mainstream fashion brands and celebrities, with Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid embracing the look in advertisements and editorial shoots. The recent focus on office wear as a fashion statement may be considered an extension of the girlhood trend, with the power suit serving as the opposite side of the coin to the girly bows and lace. People are drawn to these heightened, specific versions of childhood or adulthood, embodying nostalgic memories in a uniformed way through fashion choices.
The shift towards office siren aesthetics raises questions about the dynamics of femininity, power, and workplace expectations for women. By sexualizing traditional office attire, the trend blurs the lines between professionalism, femininity, and personal expression, challenging traditional ideas about how women should dress and behave in the workplace. Critics argue that the trend may perpetuate patriarchal attitudes towards women’s labor by reducing women to sexual objects in professional settings. As women navigate the intersection of fashion and feminism in these evolving trends, the underlying social and political implications of these aesthetic choices become more apparent.
As the office siren trend continues to gain momentum in the fashion industry, designers and consumers alike are left to ponder the deeper meanings behind these fashion choices. The embrace of the corporate aesthetic by luxury brands, celebrities, and influencers reflects a broader cultural shift towards redefining femininity, power, and sexuality through fashion. By blurring the boundaries between traditional office wear and provocative styles, designers like Sandy Liang and influencers like Kim Kardashian are challenging societal norms and sparking conversations about the evolving role of women in the workplace and in fashion. Whether these trends ultimately empower or objectify women remains a topic of debate within the fashion community and beyond.
The cyclical nature of fashion trends, as evidenced by the transition from the girlhood trend to the office siren aesthetic, reflects the ongoing evolution of cultural attitudes towards femininity, beauty, and power. By exploring the connections between fashion, gender, and societal expectations, designers and critics can shed light on the complex interplay between personal style and collective identity. As women continue to navigate these shifting trends and social norms, the fashion industry serves as a reflection of broader cultural values, offering a platform for dialogue, critique, and ultimately, empowerment. Through thoughtful analysis and engagement with these trends, individuals can challenge prevailing narratives and redefine the boundaries of self-expression and empowerment in the ever-changing landscape of fashion and society.
