- Gen Z watched their peers get fired for dressing inappropriately for the office. Now, they’re too scared to dress themselves, even reaching out to managers for guidance. The confusion is also causing stress, as the young generation and millennials are almost three times as likely to have outfit anxiety compared to their boomer coworkers. Many are even turning to their boss for fashion advice, but experts tell Fortune they’d be better off silently taking cues by copying their looks.
After years of wearing pandemic-era tracksuits and a nice top for Zoom meetings, many employees are in the dark about what’s appropriate to wear now that they’re back in an office. While all generations are lost, Gen Z is having the hardest time, with many even turning to their managers for styling tips.
About 78% of workers are seeking guidance on what to wear at work, according to recent data from workplace solutions company IWG. But the youngest cohort of employees needs the most help, with 94% of Gen Z looking for advice on their work outfits, compared to 84% of millennials, 70% of Gen Xers, and 61% of baby boomers. Much of Gen Z’s confusion may chalk up to simply being the newest in the office, with many having started their careers from their couch.
“It’s understandable that the generation with the least working experience will have the most questions about what to wear and what is appropriate in the workplace,” Diana Tsui, a stylist and creative consultant partnering with IWG, tells Fortune. “There has been a fundamental shift in the way in which employees of all generations approach their workwear attire.”
But with over half of employees in each generation looking for workplace fashion tips, the changing rules have left many unsure of what’s appropriate. The lack of clarity is so bad it’s stressing people out—staffers said they experience anxiety about what to wear to the office seven times a month.
Gen Z and millennials are nearly three times as likely as baby boomers to worry about dressing properly, so they’re turning to their superiors for guidance. About 30% of Gen Z seek guidance from their manager, compared to 14% of Gen X and 10% of boomers. Instead of outright asking their boss what to wear, they could take Tsui’s advice of taking silent cues by copying their looks.
How Gen Z should dress for the office: take inspiration from higher-ups and show restraint
Gen Z has been popularizing new fashion trends at the workplace, like the “office siren” look: dressing 1990s-corporate while “pushing the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable,” the report notes. It’s a twist on power-dressing, but certain elements—like plunging necklines and short skirts—could land them in a meeting with HR. Data shows that already, many Gen Zers have been fired for dressing inappropriately, only adding to their anxiety.
Luckily, there are a few surefire ways that Gen Z can avoid the early-morning anxiety of having to pick out an appropriate outfit for the office.
“Workwear is never going back to its suit-and-tie days, although that can be fun to dabble in,” Tsui advises. “Take a cue from your industry and see how their prevailing dress codes enmesh with your own sensibilities.”
Tsui has three major tips for young staffers to stay in line with company dress codes and avoid getting sacked for their outfit:
- Take inspiration from your superiors: Take a look around the office or check how older coworkers are showing up in Zoom calls. She notes that young workers don’t have to copy their higher-ups, but rather get a vibe-check on the dressing environment.
- Express yourself, with restraint: If it’s a more conservative environment, playing with proportions can be a fun way to spice up drab corporate attire. A chunky shoe or eccentric pair of earrings can go a long way in adding flair to an outfit.
- Don’t show too much skin: Wearing clothes that are too small and show too much skin is “usually still frowned upon,” so try to avoid anything too revealing.
Why nobody knows how to dress for work anymore
Gen Z isn’t the only generation of workers torn on what’s acceptable to wear to the office anymore. Experts Fortune has spoken with all contend that the COVID-19 pandemic was a major turning-point for workplace attire. Now, employees are back in the office, and they don’t know how to give up their stretchy pants. Tsui says it’s on employers to navigate the new world of work attire, and share clear policies with their staffers to avoid any unnecessary stress.
“This shift away from traditional norms toward more flexible policies highlights the need for modern guidance,” she explains. “As companies adapt to hybrid models and multi-generational teams, employees are increasingly seeking clarity on how to balance self-expression with professionalism in evolving work environments.”
With four generations in the office—Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers—it’s natural that there’s going to be huge divides in terms of style.
But HR experts agree that a few shifts are here to stay for everyone: sneakers are in, ties and heels are largely out, and you still probably shouldn’t wear shorts.
Sometimes, casual and comfortable styles can blur the lines of what’s proper for the office—but Tsui says if styled properly, employees can make it work.
Young staffers can also better curb their outfit stress by adopting a “work uniform.” Gen Z and millennials already lead the way in having a standard style, with 59% having a uniform, compared to 53% of baby boomers, the IWG report notes. It’s a trend among younger generations that gives them a sense of control over their careers—and takes away the concern of picking out a new outfit everyday that may or may not be appropriate for the job.
