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As the world gradually returns to a semblance of normalcy, many workers are heading back to the office after years of remote work. While the return to the workplace may feel like a step back to normal routines, one key element remains uncertain for many employees: What should we wear? After years of working from home in sweatpants and casual attire, office dress codes have become blurred, and even retailers seem uncertain about the post-pandemic fashion landscape. This essay explores the current confusion around workwear, how employees can navigate these sartorial waters, and why retailers are struggling to provide clear direction.
The Shift in Office Culture and Dress Codes
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most offices had established dress codes that ranged from formal business attire to casual Fridays. However, the pandemic disrupted those conventions. With remote work becoming the norm, employees traded their slacks, dresses, and blazers for more comfortable loungewear. Zoom meetings, which often showed only the upper half of a person, led to a half-dressed world where shirts and blouses became the focus while pajama pants remained unseen.
Now, with many companies calling employees back to the office—whether in a hybrid format or full-time—the question of appropriate workwear is more relevant than ever. The pandemic has shifted not only how people work but also how they want to dress. After two years of prioritizing comfort, many workers are reluctant to return to stiff suits and high heels. Instead, they seek a balance between professionalism and the comfort they’ve grown accustomed to during remote work.
Retailers’ Struggle to Define Post-Pandemic Workwear
For years, retailers had a clear understanding of the different categories of workwear: business formal, business casual, and smart casual. However, the pandemic has significantly altered consumers’ attitudes toward clothing, and retailers are now grappling with how to define and cater to the new “work-appropriate” look. The sudden shift in dress codes and the rise of hybrid work models have left them struggling to predict what the modern professional wardrobe should look like.
Traditional retailers known for their office attire, such as Brooks Brothers or Banana Republic, have faced an identity crisis. While they once thrived on selling formal wear and structured outfits, the demand for these garments plummeted during the pandemic. Some retailers have responded by pivoting to more casual collections, while others are betting on a return to classic office wear. However, the uncertainty surrounding what employees want to wear has made it difficult for retailers to create cohesive collections or marketing campaigns that resonate with their target audience.
Many retailers have noted that while demand for comfortable clothing has soared, it’s not clear whether this trend will carry over to the office. Companies are unsure whether employees will embrace a more relaxed dress code or if they’ll eventually return to more traditional workwear as they re-enter professional environments. With no clear consensus from consumers, retailers are left in a state of limbo, unsure of whether to promote casual styles, hybrid outfits, or formal wear.
The Rise of “Workleisure”
Amid the confusion, a new trend has emerged: “workleisure.” Borrowing elements from the athleisure movement, workleisure blends comfort and professionalism, offering office-appropriate attire that allows employees to feel at ease while maintaining a polished look. Workleisure includes items like tailored joggers, stretchy blazers, and knit dresses that combine style and functionality. It reflects the desire for clothing that looks professional but feels comfortable enough to wear for an entire workday, whether at a desk or in a Zoom meeting.
For employees returning to the office, workleisure offers a middle ground between loungewear and formal business attire. Brands that have embraced this trend, such as Lululemon and Athleta, have seen success with their versatile pieces that can transition from home to the office with ease. However, even as workleisure gains popularity, many professionals are left wondering: Is this really the future of office fashion, or just a temporary response to a world in flux?
Adapting to the Hybrid Workplace
Another factor complicating the return to office fashion is the rise of hybrid work models, where employees split their time between home and the office. With no fixed location or routine, employees need a wardrobe that is adaptable to different environments. On days spent working from home, casual and comfortable attire reigns supreme, while office days may require more polished, business-appropriate outfits.
The unpredictability of hybrid work has created a unique challenge for workers trying to build their post-pandemic wardrobe. In the past, employees could rely on clear boundaries between their work and home wardrobes. Now, they need clothes that can bridge both worlds, transitioning from professional meetings to remote work sessions effortlessly. This calls for flexibility and creativity in building a wardrobe that meets varying needs.
For many professionals, this means investing in versatile, multi-purpose clothing that can be dressed up or down depending on the setting. A well-tailored blazer, for example, can be worn over a casual top for a polished office look or paired with jeans for a more relaxed appearance when working from home. Similarly, shoes that are both stylish and comfortable can ease the transition from remote work to in-person meetings.
Individual Expression and Flexibility in Dress Codes
Another interesting shift in the return to office fashion is the growing emphasis on individual expression. For years, corporate dress codes have been fairly rigid, with expectations for how employees should present themselves in the workplace. However, the pandemic has brought a new sense of individuality and personal style into professional environments. Many companies are now taking a more flexible approach to dress codes, allowing employees to choose outfits that reflect their personality while still maintaining professionalism.
Tech companies, creative industries, and startups have long embraced casual and flexible dress codes, but now even more traditional workplaces are adopting these trends. Employees are increasingly given the freedom to interpret what “business casual” or “smart casual” means to them, leading to a more diverse range of office outfits. In this new era of workplace fashion, employees are blending elements of personal style with professional attire, whether it’s through colorful accessories, unique fabrics, or bolder patterns.
What to Wear: Finding Your Post-Pandemic Office Style
So, what should you wear when returning to the office? With no one-size-fits-all answer, the key lies in finding a balance that works for your individual style, comfort, and workplace culture. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the post-pandemic office wardrobe:
- Embrace versatility: Invest in pieces that can transition seamlessly between home and the office. Think of classic staples like blazers, knit tops, and comfortable trousers that can be dressed up or down.
- Focus on comfort: After years of working from home, comfort is now a priority. Look for clothing made from soft, stretchy materials that allow you to move freely while still looking polished.
- Mix and match: Don’t be afraid to combine elements of formal and casual wear. A tailored blazer with a T-shirt or sneakers with a chic dress can strike the perfect balance between comfort and professionalism.
- Personalize your look: With dress codes becoming more flexible, use this opportunity to express your personal style. Incorporate colors, patterns, or accessories that reflect your personality, while still aligning with your office’s dress expectations.
- Be mindful of your environment: Each workplace is different, so pay attention to the specific culture and expectations of your office. Observe what colleagues are wearing and adjust accordingly.
