The office siren trend has surfaced in popularity on social media, particularly on TikTok and Instagram, and has even influenced high fashion. This bold corporate aesthetic draws inspiration from the late 90s and early 2000s, featuring sleek silhouettes, cleavage, pencil skirts, statement glasses, and blazers.
What is an Office Siren?
Since the term “siren” is often associated with mermaids, many have been confused about what this trend actually entails. The office siren trend highlights a business chic aesthetic that emphasizes form-fitting clothing while maintaining a polished look. Signature elements of the look include skin-tight pencil skirts, tailored power suits, stiletto heels, and turtlenecks. While these may resemble standard work attire, the office siren style elevates them with bold lipstick, chunky jewelry, statement glasses, and sleek hairstyles. Ultimately, the goal is to exude power and confidence through workwear.
Origins and Influences
The term “office siren” gained traction on social media, but its roots lie in the corporate outfits of the 90s and early 2000s. Supermodels and influencers like Bella Hadid and Lori Harvey, known for emulating this aesthetic in their everyday lives, have also helped to popularize the trend. However, being an office siren is not just about the outfit—it’s about how you wear it. A sleek ponytail that highlights facial features, thinly shaped brows, and oversized glasses helps enhance the commanding yet professional look.
Influence on Fashion Culture
The office siren trend has had a significant impact on the fashion industry, inspiring designers to incorporate workwear aesthetics into their latest collections. During this year’s Paris Fashion Week, brands such as Miu Miu, Haider Ackermann, Vivienne Westwood, and Valentino exhibited their renditions of business chic. Their collections included vibrantly patterned slacks, neutral-toned ensembles, tweed blazers, knee-high socks, loafers, etc.
Beyond the corporate realm, workwear has also dominated the streetwear scene. In the ’90s and early 2000s, hip-hop and R&B artists such as Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, Xscape, and others popularized oversized construction attire. Today, pieces like baggy work jackets, heavy-duty boots, and wide-leg pants have resurfaced in fashion. Brands such as Sacai, Bape, Hyperfly, and Patta have even partnered with traditional workwear companies.
Sacai, in particular, recently unveiled their fw25 collaboration with Carhartt, an American clothing company most known for its workwear. The 18-piece collection reconstructs Carhartt’s signature workwear items as functional high-fashion streetwear.
Reactions and Corporate Response
Reactions to the office siren trend have been mixed. Some view it as a way to make work attire more expressive, while others argue that these outfits can be too provocative for the workplace. Critics compare it to the “sexy secretary” trope, which historically placed women in a submissive role, suggesting that such attire could undermine their professionalism. This led to many women being looked down upon by people who held more serious roles.
Some professionals who have embraced the office siren look at work have faced pushback. Reports have surfaced of employees receiving warnings from HR departments, and in one notable case, a woman lost an internship opportunity that would have turned into a salaried job for wearing a tube top and pencil skirt, which violated company dress codes.
Despite the controversy, the office siren trend continues to shape fashion, proving that power dressing can be both stylish and bold.