A new fashion trend has sparked a conversation on workplace culture and what constitutes an appropriate office dress code.
The “office siren” trend has been gaining traction on social media, offering an alternative look for office workers by blending outfit staples like blazers, pencil skirts, and heels with statement accessories such as thin glasses or bold jewellery.
Inspired by corporate styles of the late ‘90s and early 2000s, as seen in movies like “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Secretary,” the trend has also been adopted by some celebrities. Supermodel Bella Hadid, for instance, recently shared an Instagram post in an office siren style, wearing rectangular glasses and a fitted blouse.
Philip De Villar, CPHR and chairperson of the board for Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Canada, acknowledges that attitudes toward workplace dress codes are evolving, particularly as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives encourage more personal expression.
“As organizations understand more and more that the way you dress is part of who you are, they should acknowledge and welcome that,” De Villar told CTV News. He adds that traditional corporate dress codes have loosened over time, with many industries moving away from rigid policies, like not allowing women to wear pants.
However, dress code expectations still vary by industry and company culture.
“Businesses still managed by people from the boomer generation will tend to show more reluctance toward opening their policies,” De Villar said. “Whereas businesses in the IT field, for example, will be much more open, welcoming people as they are.”
Where did ‘office siren’ come from?
The office siren focuses on women in the workplace, but it can also be seen as part of a larger shift in celebrity culture. For example, Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, caused a stir when she wore a white Alexander McQueen pantsuit with a lacy bustier to U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.
While the trend highlights a new way women are approaching workwear, it has also sparked debate over what is deemed appropriate for the workplace. Some critics argue that incorporating elements of sex appeal into professional attire could reinforce harmful stereotypes about women in the workplace.
De Villar rejects this notion, calling it an “unfortunate stereotype that should never be convened anymore.”
He emphasized that self-expression should not be mistaken for inviting inappropriate behaviour.
“More and more, society understands that no means no, and if someone isn’t saying anything, that still doesn’t mean consent,” he said. “The younger generations, having seen the MeToo movement, are especially aware of this.”
For companies navigating these cultural shifts, De Villar recommends engaging employees in discussions about dress code policies.
“Take the time to talk to your staff. What do they expect? What do they like about the current policies and what do they not like? When you engage employees in shaping policy, you create a more diverse and tolerant workplace.”
