From early mornings getting ready to after-work martinis, the office siren trend, or indie sleaze repacked in a corporate setting is on the rise. She’s minimal, sexy, and strong yet playful and romanticizes typical office codes of dress for elevated outfits no matter how simple or done up. She’s abundantly successful and her ways are just as unconventional yet cutting-edge as her look. As a result, she stands out as a beacon of individuality and innovation, redefining notions of office attire and professional conduct. The aesthetic not only gives them a chance to move up in the workplace and improve impressions, but it also adds some flair to otherwise dull work attire. Creating a vision of adulthood we all wanted. Think Devil Wears Prada’s Andy mixed with Amanda from Ugly Betty.
It’s all about looking put-together and professional when you’re at work without sacrificing style, having the same style inside and outside the office, while evoking the tone of late 90s and early 2000s aesthetic sensibilities. Think a receptionist from an early 2000s romcom on a coffee run, gossiping with her best friend in the office, and shopping the wardrobe department to find the perfect outfit for her office romance. She’s very modern-day Miu miu, all about 90s Gucci by tom ford, sexy Dolce and Gabbana or classy Calvin Klein.
She lives and breathes for work, but still has a rich life outside of it. She’s a woman who always chooses herself and this confidence only fuels her ambition which she loves to convey through her romanticized presentation. Personally, I’ve been loving this trend because there is a huge focus on intellectual pursuits, making career moves, and going after success, but also looking chic, elegant, sexy, and cool while doing so.
In terms of impressions, the office siren exudes a blend of sophistication and femininity, characterized by sleek, tailored lines that honor the body’s form and refined, neutral hues for clothing and bold for beauty, especially the lips. This may be a cool-toned cat eye or slightly grunde smokey eye on a natural makeup base. Nails may be a natural color in the spring and summer then a deep shade for autumn and winter such as Burgundy. She loves a good pop of cherry red or animal print for her accessories, equally as much as she plays into that natural with wooden accessories. Messy up-dos are a go-to in a cinch, but perfectly slicked-back buns are her preference. At times her hair is pristine and sleek, but more often than not she enhances her natural texture the same way she embraces her body.
The office siren is highly aware of her place in the world and where she wants to go, hence using her style to highlight her best qualities yet never letting her clothes wear her or become about her physically. Trends often reflect or are a response to the state of the world or every day. It can be escapism it can be empowerment. Ethan Kross, a psychologist and the director of the University of Michigan Emotion and Self-Control Laboratory. “We have the ability to get some space from our own experiences, which can be really useful for helping us think about them more objectively,” The driving force of Dr. Kross’ work is a theory he titled “self-distancing” — “the ability to step outside yourself and view yourself from a more distanced perspective, similar to how we might think of another person.”
We are all skilled at being able to escape the present; it only takes a moment for us to reflect on a time that has passed or to dream up an idea that has not yet been realized. There are several individuals who can find these periods challenging because they may ruminate on experiences that are detrimental or worry excessively about what is going to happen in the future, such as a career. Self-distancing is a technique that includes seeing events from the viewpoint of an objective third party rather than actively participating in them. It may be beneficial for those who are having difficulty coping with bad feelings that are associated with their past or future. The ability to express oneself using one’s clothing has the potential to improve one’s feeling of self-esteem and self-identity, hence by dressing within the office siren aesthetic individuals allow themselves to step into a vision of the future they thought they would have and create it for themselves in a new way.
As many younger generations enter the workforce, whether that be remote, hybrid, or in-person this approach to typical officewear gives them a greater sense of fulfillment when going to work. As Bill Cunningham once said, “Fashion is the armor to survive everyday life.” As I know so many of us here in the community were the type to always dress up to go to school or maybe not even dress to the nines but just simply put effort and care into your appearance. To practice that and enjoy the creative process of styling yourself. I feel like this trend is a great one for that transition from girlhood to womanhood or one that can inspire you to be what you wish the world was like.
I would say it’s the cousin of academia aesthetics, less library more corporate. It’s very geek chic mixed with that sexy secretary vibe, think papers spilling out of a purse as she pulls up her seamed stocking from her thigh. Is it realistic or sensible, not entirely, be does it look stunning and amp up the ensemble? Absolutely. It also demonstrates our cognitive predisposition to selectively remember the distant past as being more favorable than it was, especially for those who did not personally experience the daily realities of that time.
This is particularly true when the present conditions are unfavorable to create a more favorable experience. It’s almost like stepping outside of yourself and channeling a version of yourself that you have been envisioning for years to design a life you love rather than mourn what could have been because the world isn’t the same. Moreso empowers individuals to be inspired by what they love, what motivates them to build confidence and be proud of themselves through the use of their skillsets and style so that they can design a life they love.
What I adore most about this trend is it leaves room for interpretation and creativity; there are codes of dress we can all agree on to get the look. The individual following this trend is portrayed as someone who values elevated basics, combining practicality with a keen sense of style and personal expression in the professional setting. The trend is characterized by a set of codes of dress that individuals can agree on to achieve a particular look, specifically the “office siren” aesthetic. In terms of the style personalities, the office siren is a blend of chic, sexy, and natural. The key elements of this style include:
Pencil skirts with a high slit: This adds a touch of sophistication and sensuality to the office attire.
Fitted turtlenecks: Providing a polished and structured appearance.
Lace lingerie: Suggesting a subtle hint of allure and femininity.
Leather mini or midi skirts: Adding a modern and edgy vibe to the wardrobe.
Bowler bags: Offering a classic and timeless accessory.
Button-down tops: Maintaining a professional and versatile aspect.
Kitten heels: Combining style with comfort for a chic office look.
Low rise trousers: Adding a contemporary twist to traditional office wear.
Embracive dresses: Celebrating the feminine form in a tasteful manner.
Knee-high boots, bayonetta glasses, leather gloves, thigh highs: Infusing elements of boldness and individuality.
Chunky jewelry: Making a statement and adding personality to the outfit.
Slinky tops: Balancing sensuality and sophistication.
Sheer tights: Providing a subtle yet alluring touch to the overall look.
Scarf adornments: Offering versatility and a stylish accessory option.
Slingbacks: A classic shoe choice that complements various outfits.
Skinny-fit trousers: Maintaining a modern and tailored silhouette.
The “office siren” is described as someone who prefers heels but opts for loafers when flats are required. Sensible pieces are essential, but the emphasis is on elevating them through the use of high-quality materials, unique patterns, or thoughtful construction.
She loves curating staples with unique design elements such as a cutout or sheer fabric for tasteful yet fashion-forward looks. Vintage or archival is her preference as the aesthetic is built upon nostalgia, really embodying the vibe of a receptionist in an early 2000s romcom, but modern-day designers at fashion houses are creating pieces that are just as covetable in her eyes such as such as Miu Miu’s FW23, Gucci Ancora SS24, and Tom Ford SS24. She’s fashion-conscious, understands the potency of personal presence, and looks as if she just walked off the set of The Devil Wears Prada into the real world. She loves chunky bangles in either wooden or silver hues, seeing them as her go-to bracelet style. When it comes to earrings, her preferences lean towards eye-catching designs to draw attention and create leading lines to the face or she chooses a sleek look for a more minimalist style for an understated, yet forward appeal. Her necklace choices are always on point: elegant necklace stacking drawing the eye down to the décolleté, a simple choker, or a chain and charm—never too much or overwhelming. She commonly pairs these with coordinating rings to unify the look.
Many when they hear the word “siren” push the boundary as far as possible, but the office siren is all about playing by the rules in her way. Traditionally masculine design elements associated with power are utilized to contrast the curves of the female form for a structured, yet voluminous silhouette. The rule of thumb is to draw attention to the siren’s figure with leading lines to the face and accessories to draw away attention from areas she does not wish to share to focus on her intelligence, character, and drive. Detracting to the point that the style showcases her to create a subtle, stylish, and impactful look.
She has a high degree of visual dominance. This doesn’t always mean dressing flamboyantly with lots of colors and accessories or a gown, in fact, visual dominance dates back to our prehistoric roots. Going back to our prehistoric roots, visual dominance is a common and critical way to show dominance and confidence is to appear large and powerful. I do cover this styling technique in my Serena Van Der Woodsen Style analysis but in a nutshell as when someone makes their body bigger and higher than others they are sending superiority signals. It’s the same as squaring your shoulders back and fixing your posture to look confident but through clothes.
This is great in social environments, when you show up and are going this is who I am. Like if you are in an office setting and you’re a bit younger than your peers instead of trying to dress older than your age by dressing your age but doing so with confidence and a strong sense of style you are conveying confidence, showing decision-making skills.
Physically, the office siren carries herself with grace and poise, often standing tall with impeccable posture. Beyond her physical appearance, the office siren possesses a magnetic personality that draws others in. She is articulate, confident, and assertive, yet approachable and empathetic. She navigates the corporate world with finesse, using her charm and intelligence to excel in her career while maintaining a sense of authenticity and integrity. She is a trailblazer, inspiring others to embrace their unique sense of style and presence in the corporate world.
STUDY SOURCE:
Why We Romanticize the Past- https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/faculty-news/why-we-romanticize-the-past.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20the%20ability%20to,Emotion%20and%20Self%2DControl%20Laboratory.
