These Six Trends Are Revolutionizing Workplace Attire

• IWG recently identified four main trends dominating current workplace fashion; however, six broader movements are predicted to influence workwear fashion over the coming years and decades.
• The trends in workwear fashion for the future are influenced by factors such as technological advances, evolving workplace norms, and societal shifts towards sustainability and individual expression.
• The prevalence of remote and hybrid work arrangements will continue to shape preferences for comfortable yet professional attire suitable for in-person and virtual settings.

IWG, a leading workspace provider and global thought leader, recently conducted research with over 1,000 U.S. hybrid workers. Partnering with fashion expert Diana Tsui, they explored current trends and reviewed the evolution of workplace attire. 

Their research resulted in a white paper on the Evolution of Workwear Fashion — revealing that nearly 80% of respondents dress differently post-pandemic. 

Four key trends emerged to reflect the latest preferred styles and attitudes towards fashion in the workplace — Quiet Luxury (sleek, less-is-more, well-designed), Dopamine Dressing (bold colors, rich textures, optimistic), Preppy Streetwear (style meets functionality, urban yet refined), and Individualism (innovative, creative, trailblazing). 

Inspired by IWG’s report on current workplace fashion trends, Allwork.Space has uncovered the most significant socio-cultural shifts that will shape what we wear for work in the future. 

Here are six key trends that we predict will dominate the workplace fashion scene. 

1.Tech-Integrated Apparel

Key Items:  Solar powered jackets, personalized 3-D -printed clothing, self-adjusting fabrics, LED-embedded clothing

The eagerly anticipated integration of wearable technology into work attire has well and truly arrived, blending functionality, innovation and cutting-edge style. This includes clothing that can monitor health metrics, regulate body temperature, and display digital information. 

This partnership between fashion designers and technologists enhances fashion’s appeal whilst promoting sustainability. As technology advances, tech-integrated clothing embodies comfort, and connectivity, making it a valuable addition to workplace attire.

Project Jacquard is pioneering wearable technology in a collaboration between Jacquard by Google  and Levi’s. By weaving conductive yarns into the fabric, their garments enable touch-sensitive and gesture-controlled interactions with electronic devices such as smartphones. Maintaining the aesthetic and functionality of traditional clothing, Project Jacquard’s creations allow wearers to control music, answer calls, and receive navigation directions with a simple touch or swipe.

Ministry of Supply integrates technology into their garments to create wearable tech clothing. They offer performance-focused clothing designed with cutting-edge materials. With tailored fits and thoughtful details such as hidden pockets and stretch panels, Ministry of Supply blends functionality with style.

2.Sustainable Fashion

Key Items:  Organic cotton shirts, recycled polyester blazers, hemp trousers or skirts, tencel or lyocell dresses, bamboo fiber cardigans or sweaters

The fashion industry faces a significant challenge, with millions of tonnes of clothes discarded annually. To address this, a shift towards a circular economy for fashion has become essential, with products designed for extended use and made from responsible materials that can be recycled, resold, rented, repaired, or upcycled. 

As sustainability becomes increasingly central to consumer values, its significance in workwear is also rising — as a previous Allwork.Space article predicted. There is a growing demand for clothes made from eco-friendly and environmentally conscious materials such as organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester. 

Ethical manufacturing processes are also gaining prominence, with companies prioritizing fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and transparency throughout their supply chains. 

This trend reflects a growing recognition of the need for sustainability in the workplace, as companies and individuals seek to align their values with their wardrobe choices and contribute to a more environmentally conscious future.

A more eco-conscious approach is also inspiring workers to embrace the concept of a capsule wardrobe — a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other. Typically a capsule consists of classic pieces in neutral colors that transcend trends and enable individuals to create a variety of outfits with a minimal selection of clothing.

Patagonia’s fashion ethos revolves around outdoor-inspired, functional, and environmentally conscious designs, prioritizing durability, practicality, and performance. Patagonia is renowned for using high-quality, sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices. Their simple, pragmatic designs emphasize comfort, versatility and sustainability.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s “Make Fashion Circular “Initiative aims to redefine the entire lifecycle of clothing, spanning from design and production to consumption and disposal. The initiative focuses on minimizing waste, pollution, and resource depletion within the fashion industry. 

3.Gender-Neutral Workwear

Key Items: Tailored blazers and trousers, button-up shirts, shift dresses, loafers or Oxford classic footwear, trench coats, structured bags

Gender-fluid workwear represents a departure from traditional gender norms in fashion, embracing a more inclusive and diverse approach to work attire. This emerging trend emphasizes versatile clothing items that can be worn by individuals of any gender identity, challenging the binary constraints of traditional men’s and women’s workwear. 

Collaborative efforts within the fashion industry are actively working to deconstruct outdated norms and promote inclusivity, empowering individuals to express their authentic selves through their clothing choices in the workplace. 

By embracing gender fluidity in work attire, organizations and individuals contribute to creating more inclusive environments where everyone feels comfortable expressing their identities.

By embracing gender fluidity in work attire, organizations and individuals contribute to creating more inclusive environments where everyone feels comfortable expressing their identities.

Rad Hourani focuses on timeless, unisex designs — promoting inclusivity and challenging traditional gender norms in fashion. His collections feature clean lines, monochromatic palettes, and versatile silhouettes, including tailored jackets, oversized shirts, structured trousers, and asymmetrical dresses.

Wildfang challenges outdated gender norms in fashion, offering edgy designs focusing on inclusivity, sustainability, and activism. Their designs include tailored suits, button-down shirts, graphic tees, and statement jackets — appealing to individuals who seek bold, versatile pieces that defy traditional gender boundaries and promote individuality and self-expression. 

4.Remote Work Influence

Key Items: Athleisure, tailored joggers, oversized sweaters paired with stylish sneakers, the “Zoom” shirt

Remote work has given rise to more than just the infamous “Zoom shirt”; it has also sparked a wave of comfortable and stylish workwear trends. Think loungewear and athleisure wear crafted from soft fabrics. 

Smart leisurewear will continue to be in demand, with tailored joggers and oversized sweaters paired with chic sneakers remaining popular. Versatility is also crucial, with designs such as shirt dresses and jumpsuits enabling the wearer to transition from work to leisure activities.

The IWG Evolution of Workwear Fashion paper indicates a shift in how remote and hybrid workers approach dressing for work. Only 21% of workers reported dressing up more for work, underlining a demand for comfort. 

People now covet workwear that seamlessly transitions between diverse activities such as school runs, client meetings, and video calls. 

People now covet workwear that seamlessly transitions between diverse activities such as school runs, client meetings, and video calls. 

Comfort takes precedence, with 53% of hybrid workers preferring versatile outfits blending casual and formal elements.

This trend towards adaptable attire reflects the enduring need to cater to varied demands in the modern workplace.

5.Individualism

Key Items: “Anything goes” — statement pieces, signature accessories, vintage or thrift pieces, artistic or unconventional pieces, customized or DIY items, mix-and-match styles

The IWG Evolution of Workwear Fashion paper reveals that conventional expectations surrounding business attire will diminish as the traditional 9-5 routine fades into obscurity. 

An evolving workplace culture is shifting people’s perceptions of what is “appropriate” workwear. Boldness and experimentation are now celebrated, as individualism in the workplace takes on a more prominent role.

As workplace fashions evolve, expect a significant shift towards more flexibility in dress codes and individualism, with employees prioritizing personal expression through clothing. This trend reflects a desire to assert one’s identity, values, and interests, inspired by a workplace culture where inclusivity and authenticity are valued. 

Additionally, the impact of social media and fashion influencers is increasingly fostering creativity and experimentation with workwear.

With the increasing prevalence of remote work and blurred work-life boundaries, workers want the freedom to choose clothing that resonates with their unique lifestyles and preferences.

With the increasing prevalence of remote work and blurred work-life boundaries, workers want the freedom to choose clothing that resonates with their unique lifestyles and preferences.

6.Virtual Fashion:

Key Items: Virtual corporate “swag,” virtual professional attire, augmented reality (AR) glasses, digital accessories, customizable avatars

The emergence of virtual fashion and digital clothing will open up new possibilities for self-expression, creativity, and interaction in online spaces. 

In virtual meetings, individuals can customize their digital avatars with virtual garments that reflect their unique style and experiment with fashion in ways that may not be possible with physical clothing. By embracing virtual fashion, individuals can also reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.

There has been an increased demand for digital clothing options suitable for professional settings, including digital outfits for virtual meetings and conferences. 

Digital wardrobe management tools, AR-powered virtual dressing rooms, digital fashion styling services, sustainable digital workwear, and virtual corporate “swag” (digital merchandise or promotional items offered by companies to employees or clients in virtual or online environments) are all examples of how digital fashion is intersecting with the workplace. 

As technology continues to evolve and online experiences become increasingly immersive and integrated into everyday life, virtual fashion and digital clothing are poised to play an ever-expanding role in shaping how we express ourselves at work.

The Fabricant is a virtual fashion house revolutionizing fashion for the workplace by offering customizable digital clothing suitable for professional events such as virtual meetings and conferences. The Fabricant provides cutting-edge digital wardrobe solutions that enhance self-expression in the workplace. 

Decentraland is a virtual world where users can buy and sell wearables. Through customizable avatars and clothing represented by NFTs, Decentraland offers a unique digital fashion experience where users can express their style and trade virtual garments.

The Takeaway

The future of workplace fashion is a dynamic landscape shaped by creativity, sustainability, inclusivity, and personal expression. Significant cross-over between these trends will enable individuals to embrace a multifaceted approach to their work attire. 

As technology advances and societal norms evolve, so will our perception of what we consider suitable work attire. 

By staying informed about emerging trends and embracing innovation, individuals and businesses can confidently navigate the future of professional attire.