Ah, nine-to-five dressing in a post-pandemic world. It can be hard to find the right balance between professionalism and style. Especially when you're coming off of a weeks-long vacation. Luckily, there's a fun new workwear(-ish) trend on the horizon, one that invites you to disrupt said balance. Dress "business casual," if you will.
The Spring 2024 collections were filled with looks that at first glance seemed geared toward the office, but, upon closer inspection, revealed a little NSFW cheekiness. At Bottega Veneta, Coperni, Givenchy, Gucci, Jil Sander, Marni, Proenza Schouler, Victoria Beckham, Emilia Wickstead, Zimmermann and more, designers used relaxed tailoring — in particular oversize blazers — as the cornerstone of various semi-office-ready looks, depending on how corporate your grind is.
The trend brings to mind the collective identity crisis we experienced when, after quarantine, we began to venture out into the world and dress up again. When a blazer over a former WFH outfit felt like the height of sophistication. Read on for a full breakdown of Spring 2024's undone corporate trend plus a selection of pieces to help you begin outfit-building. Whether you apply this knowledge to your nine-to-five or five-to-nine wardrobe is up to you. Seems to us it applies to both equally.
Oversize Blazers
A well-tailored blazer elevates almost any outfit. And if the recent runways are any indication, boxy, oversize silhouettes will continue to dominate in 2024. At Jil Sander, we saw almost perfectly square-shoulder jackets paired with sailor-collar shirts and cuffed trouser shorts to highlight the silhouette. At Emilia Wickstead, a model walked in a denim skirt suit with jacket sleeves so long they hid her hands from view. You needn't go to such extremes. Structured, strong-shoulder options will set you apart from the crowd and allow you to function in society.
Zara Oversized Twill Blazer, $109 at Zara
Statement Skirt
Gone are the days of prim and proper skirt suits. Today's nine-to-five dressing trend calls for volume and/or unexpected materials. At Marni, undulating, umbrella-like checkered miniskirts came teamed with coordinating boxy blazers. At Bottega Veneta, we saw skirts of all styles and textures, including bias cut and made from strips of different colored leather. Crocheted and topped with matching sweaters. Midis with makeshift bubble hems formed by delicate fringe. The order of the day? Have fun with fabric and form (within reason).
3.1 Phillip Lim Chintz Pleated Skirt in Midnight, $390 at The Frankie Shop
Relaxed Trousers
Nonchalant office dressing requires pants that don't cut off circulation at the waistband. Thank Coperni for giving drawstrings a rebrand at its Spring 2024 show, which saw tuxedo jackets paired with deconstructed button-downs and drawstring capris in jersey. And for any traditionalists aghast at the thought, there's always relaxed tailoring, four-way stretch and Issey Miyake's pleated masterpieces to fall back on.
Helsa Workwear Drawcord Pants, $258 at Revolve
Undone Shirting
Complement androgynous, oversize suiting with undone, ultra-feminine shirting for high-impact contrast. When it comes to choosing a blouse, go ruffled, slinky, shiny, sheer, polka dotted. To reproduce Stella McCartney's Spring 2024 runway styling, halt your buttoning just above your navel and tuck in firmly.
Babaton Symmetry Blouse in Black, $63.99 at Aritzia
Figure-Skimming Knits
Same principle. The business casual trend is all about playing with proportion, toeing the line between office-appropriate and NSFW. Sophistication and irreverence. Menswear and womenswear. Emulate designers like Sabato De Sarno of Gucci and Matthew M. Williams of Givenchy by offsetting extreme tailoring with soft, stripped-back knits. Thicker tops will distract from your wide-shoulder silhouette. The option below adds texture (and a touch of classic Tom Ford sex appeal, if that's what you're going for) without bulk.
Cult Gaia Xandra Cropped Knit Top, $218 at Shopbop
Vacation-Ready Footwear
Raffia, crochet and even macramé shoes strutted down many a Spring 2024 runway. JW Anderson gave us loafers and mules that won't look out of place walking around a cruise ship. Bottega Veneta focused on woven sandals that allow our toes plenty of breathing room. The key to pulling off the vacation vibe? Opt out of socks, even if you're headed into an actual office.
St. Agni + Net Sustain Macramé Leather Loafers, $335 at Net-a-Porter
Big Bags for Busy Days
There's no denying the fact that large bags are back in a big way. (See what we did there?) Seems like every designer got the memo as Coach, COS, Roberto Cavalli and Brandon Maxwell offered up mammoth carryalls that can carry, well, everything. Clutches were also trending so why not combine the two a la Victoria Beckham?
Studio Amelia Maxi Drawstring Bag in Salmon, $234 at Studio Amelia
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