Ties are no longer in fashion for men. The younger generation has changed the perception of office clothes

What happened?

It all started with a TikTok video... This summer, a video went viral on TikTok in which a job seeker was reprimanded for coming to an interview in shorts. She said that when she came to the meeting, the recruiter asked her to reschedule the meeting and come back in more appropriate clothes. The candidate refused and seemed confused as to why she had been sent home in what she thought was appropriate Outfit – black shorts, white shirt and cardigan.

The video, which has 6.2 million views and 144,000 likes, has opened the floodgates of opinion about what clothes are suitable for the office. But it made one thing clear: workers don't know what to wear to the office in 2024.

Expert opinion

Experts note that we are in a new era of a more informal dress code, and Gen Z employees, in particular, are at the forefront of this trend.

Some traditional garments — such as women's high heels and men's ties — have fallen out of fashion and are often no longer required even in formal workplaces. But there are still some taboos when it comes to office style.

"The rules have softened, but now they are ambiguous enough to give people trouble"Allison Shapira, CEO of Global Public Speaking LLC, a professional skills company, told Fortune magazine.

Experts note a trend towards more informal office wear. For example, in some cases, shorts can pass for office clothes. As for sandals and any open shoes, they are a real must-have for those who are used to dressing informally.

Instead of classic shoes, if you want to be in trend, it is better to wear sneakers. Moreover, fashionable designer models will not work; It is better to choose a calmer monochromatic option without fancy shapes and patterns.

So what exactly to wear in the office?

So, let's take it as a fact that modern office clothing for men has undergone significant changes. If earlier a suit and tie were considered mandatory for most workplaces, now this standard is no longer relevant. According to Doberman.media experts, the main rule of office style in 2024 is comfort and moderate informality.

What men can wear to the office:

A suit, but with a twist. Standard formal suits such as blue and gray are still acceptable, but young people prefer to wear them without a tie or even replace the shirt with a T-shirt or polo. This creates a more relaxed, but still neat look.

It is a classic jacket that has unusual or custom elements added to its design, giving it a modern, unique look. These can be unusual cut details, fabric textures, decorative elements or non-standard colors. Such jackets often combine traditional style with unexpected accents.

Here are some examples of what a jacket "with a twist" can look like:

• Decorative seams or embroidery: adding hand stitches or patterns to certain parts of the jacket.
• Contrast lining: The inside of the jacket is made of bright or contrasting fabric.
• Asymmetrical cut: one side of the jacket may differ from the other in length or shape.
• Unusual fabric texture: the use of materials with glitter, embossed texture or unusual prints.
• Contrasting lapels or pockets: the details of the jacket are made of a different fabric or dyed in a different color.

Chinos and shirts. Men's chinos replaced strict classic trousers. They can be combined with shirts - both classic and looser fits. Short-sleeved shirts are also suitable if they look stylish and clean enough.

T-shirts and jackets. In some more creative offices, it is possible to combine a T-shirt with a jacket, creating a balance between relaxed and formal styles. It is important that the T-shirt is plain and without bright prints.

Sneakers. Sneakers have become a new classic. As in the case of women's fashion, it is better to avoid too bright models and give preference to monochromatic or minimalist designs.

Cardigans and sweaters. These wardrobe elements also fit into the modern office style. Cardigans can replace jackets, and sweaters can replace shirts. The main thing is not to forget about the cleanliness and neatness of the cut.

Although the dress code has been relaxed, experts still advise avoiding things that are too informal, such as sports shorts or tank tops, and choosing shoes that are suitable for the office.