‘Who has the time or the bandwidth?’: Ridiculous trend we should all forget about

Right now there is a revolution happening in office fashion and I have many questions.

Woman working

I don’t know if you’re aware or not, but according to the latest research, right now there is a revolution happening in office fashion.

The data is in: demand for traditional workwear is decreasing. Curating or adding creative flair to your office attire is now all the rage.

The modern professional is no longer feeling bound by traditional fashion choices. The “quiet luxury look” (whatever that might be) is being replaced by bolder, more expressive attire.

Think vibrant colours, statement jewellery, vintage jackets and slouchy trousers.

Retro-futurism and eclectic layering is the new thing.

Retro-futurism? What happened to retro-realism?

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Here I was thinking you were still hip and happening if you wore your Lorna Jane into the office post Covid. Seriously, Sharyn. You really do need to keep up.

Yes, long gone, it seems, are the days when you popped on a polite blouse/shirt and a beige pair of polyester slacks to start your working day.

Today, the modern corporate employee is branching out and making a statement.

Yippee! I love making a statement.

In my house, making a statement would be turning up in matching socks.

Even more triumphant: the shirt I’m wearing is actually ironed.

Now that, surely, is a fashion victory in any working woman/man’s domain.

Now don’t get me wrong, I really would love to arrive at work looking effortlessly chic in an artfully layered ensemble, with parachute trousers that breathe and something chunky that resembles a medieval breastplate around my neck.

Who doesn’t want to grace the office dressed like they’ve just wandered off the cover of Vogue with a look screaming “I’ve got my life together” – when clearly they do not.

And yes, I really do see the merit in looking less “cubicle chic” and more “I might just head to the wine bar after this meeting”, particularly if you’ve been in one of those three-hour meetings with Sam from accounts, droning on about the latest balance sheet.

Yep, we all need a wine (or should that be whine) after that. Sometimes, you do just need to be appropriately dressed for the occasion at the office.

Maybe layering a vintage power jacket over my tracksuit teamed with Crocs and socks (matching, of course) would finally push those fashion boundaries.

And if you spill your wine, at least your shoes wont be ruined.

Yes, the art of thoughtfully dressing for the office, does have its benefits. And boy, do I admire people who can pull it off.

But, the cold hard reality is this. Who, honestly, has the time or the bandwidth to process the latest fashion trends in between school lunches, the school run and/or making the bus before 7 o’clock.

Sharyn Ghidella says finding matching socks is as fancy as she gets in her at-home dressing. Picture: Network 10.

Most perpetually time-poor people I know would think it a triumph – fashion wise – if they were lucky enough to pick the least visibly stained shirt from the heaving laundry basket that’s become an objet d’art in the lounge room.

And as for being curated? It’s not an art gallery opening, people. Who’s got the time for that mid-week. I’m too busy co-ordinating matching socks.

Yes, perhaps, I should just stick to curating laundry instead. Effortless style, sure seems to take a hell of a lot of effort.

So, while I applaud those who do find the time to make that effort, I’m not sure I’m ready yet to invest more time, or the odd power jacket, into elevating my look. Jumping on the latest “office chic” bandwagon may be a stretch too far for me.

In fact, it’s probably best I just stick to stretchy fabric instead. That way I can reserve the ironing for those more important things in life, like weddings, funerals and school photos.

I’ll just have to express myself in other ways than clashing prints and bold statement colours.

Creative layering? I might leave that to when someone forgets to turn the heater on in winter.

Quiet luxury? Retro-futurism?

Maybe survival chic is more my thing.

That surely is the more appropriate office attire in today’s modern world.

Oh, and while we’re on the subject of fashion. Do leggings actually count for pants? I’d really love to know your thoughts on that.

Originally published as ‘Who has the time or the bandwidth?’: Ridiculous trend we should all forget about