Scrolling through TikTok on the hunt for some easy summer work outfits, I heard a soundbite that shook me to my core: "I'm Gen Z; of course, I'm wearing a crop top to the office."
As the Pandora's Box of fashion TikTok tends to do, watching one video opened a portal to dozens, if not hundreds, more work outfit ideas for "corporate girlies" that didn't feel the least bit corporate-realistic. My feed became flooded with straight-faced recommendations for micro mini skirts under oversized blazers, tailored vests with nothing layered underneath, and more crop tops than the average HR department probably sees in a year. To be clear, these outfits were cute. At the same time, they didn't seem suited to standing up on a subway commute or in front of colleagues during a presentation. They felt more primed for an Instagram announcement about landing a new job than actually working one. At a desk. With coworkers around you.
