Forget frumpy cardigans and chiffon tie-neck blouses. Thanks to TikTok, corporate attire is getting a makeover with vintage Y2K charm.
The trend is the perfect mix of work and play. You won’t feel out of place hitting the bar after business hours with your confident and femme fatale appeal.
So, clear your schedule and get ready to take some style notes. Here’s how to slay the office siren aesthetic and dress the part of a boardroom baddie.
Thankfully the 9-5 job isn’t a pre-requisite for this trend.
And if you’re a millennial like myself and you’re thinking oh no… Not those years when we all wore business-like pieces to the club and looked like our schedules included 5 pm office meetings and 6 pm clubbing at Marquee… Don’t worry, it’s not that.
This is more like nerdy meets siren meets boss energy.
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What Is the Office Siren Aesthetic?
The office siren aesthetic is sophisticated, with a hint of seduction. It’s about strutting through the workplace in corporate garb that screams, “I mean business, but make it fashion.”
The office siren spices up the conference room with structured yet feminine pieces that radiate power and confidence. Picture a palette of chic neutrals with pops of red and femme fatale details and you’re halfway there.
The trend incorporates fashion hits from the ’90s and early 2000s. Plaid skirts, standalone waistcoats, rectangular glasses, knee-high boots, and unbuttoned blouses—you name it!
Granted, some of these styles may push the boundaries of office attire. But you don’t need a corner office to own the look. With figure-fitting silhouettes and a little skin, you can be a girl boss, from meetings to martinis.
Where did the Office Siren Aesthetic come from?
Paris fashion student and content creator Asia Bieuville first spotted the trend in 2023. She described the look as a throwback to the ’90s and Y2K style.
Vintage pieces from runway archives of designers like Calvin Klein, Gucci, and Tom Ford have inspired the office siren vibe. Shows like Miu Miu‘s “Secretary Core” continue to push this slightly sexy corporate look to the tops of our feeds. Similarly, Gucci’s Ancora show also speaks to this trend being a runway-driven style. And a few Dolce and Gabbana looks works beautifully for this essence.
And if you’re into Kitchener’s essences, I think this would look smashing on someone with dramatic, romantic, and classic in their blend!
You can see these retro remixes throughout the fall/winter 2023 fashion season—skinny glasses, low-rise pencil skirts, and slingback heels.
Then, TikTok blew up the office siren aesthetic with outfits inspired by movies and TV shows like The Devil Wears Prada and Friends.
Just picture whenever a beautiful woman in a film has to “cosplay” or go undercover in an office and you’ll probably get the gist of this trend.
Office Siren Aesthetic Inspiration
After a low-key 2023, Bella Hadid is hotter than ever in her office siren look. She’s been slaying in button-down shirts, slacks, and suits like nobody’s business.
But the real pièce de résistance in her ensembles? Those librarian eyeglasses!
Remember Gisele Bundchen’s character in The Devil Wears Prada? The supermodel first proved wiry rectangular glasses can be anything but outdated.
Selena Gomez also nailed the office siren look with a black pinstripe suit and smokey gaze at the AFI Awards. What a great example of a Kibbe Theatrical Romantic rocking this trend!
8 Easy Steps to Master the Office Siren Aesthetic
Sexy confidence is sold separately. But here’s how you master this trend:
1. Eyeglasses
Another piece making a fierce comeback this 2024 is the Bayonetta eyeglasses. Remember, this is non-negotiable for the office siren trend. So if you don’t need glasses, you can still pretend with a pair of “blue-light” Bayonetta glasses. 😉
Named after the video game femme fatale character who rocked these small retro frames, Bayonetta glasses are peak Y2K chic. And they add a bit of spice to these corporated-based looks.
And let me tell you, they’re not just for vision correction anymore. This corporate-ready eyewear even has its TikTok filter for you to test out the style.
2. Color Scheme
Unlike siren-core where you have more room to play around, the office siren aesthetic has a bit of a set equation.
With colors, think lots of neutrals and black. The style is heavy on monochromatic tones and the classic all-black look.
You can use some whites, creams, grays, and muted browns (e.g., beige, greige, and taupe). You want a simple canvas that lets your silhouette (and figure) shine.
However, don’t shy away from a dash of animal print here and there. Just make sure it leans more business casual and not too “mob wife” aesthetic.
Stick with classic prints like pinstripes and tonal plaids for a more cohesive look.
3. Classic Workwear + Slim Fit
Classic button-down shirts, sleek pencil skirts, and tailored blazers in those neutral shades—that’s your office siren wardrobe in a nutshell.
When you’re putting together an office siren outfit, find the sweet spot between professional and sexy.
If you want to cover more skin, opt for a sharp suit that hugs all your curves.
When the clock strikes “happy hour,” don’t be afraid to jazz up your office-approved outfit with trendier pieces.
Now, if you want to show your toned abs or a hint of cleavage, pair a pencil skirt with a slinky top or bare your midriff in just a plaid vest.
Or, swap that longer skirt for something with a shorter hemline. Then, for the ultimate power move, throw on a tailored blazer.
The key to mastering this look is balancing out the “office” and the “siren”. If you’re going for a shorter or more fitted top, keep your layering piece a bit looser. If you’re opting for a pencil skirt and a silk blouse, opt for a more fitted layering piece (vest or blazer).
If you go too siren everywhere, you look like you’re doing the bedroom version of this trend. And if you go too office, well… you’ll just look like you’re going to a fancy office.
4. The Top
Nailing this look can easily be accomplished if you have the right top. A fitted, yet slightly structured shirt is going to be your best bet. It’s especially effective in a neutral palette.
If you go too soft, silky, or colorful it can bleed into hot secretary vibes, which isn’t the goal of this trend. We want to be powerful siren office gals making all the decisions, not taking notes or grabbing coffees.
Here are some tops to try:
If those aren’t calling your name you could try another Office Siren blouse option like the ruffled blouse shown below. Tom Ford’s latest collection shows some variations of the office siren with blouse styles like this.
5. Accessories
When it comes to accessories, the office siren keeps it classy without overdoing it.
As for earrings, she might go for silver studs or diamond studs. Her necklace game is just as chic, with a simple diamond tennis necklace, a black choker (if you want to go more y2k), or a simple pendant necklace. And, of course, everything always feels coordinated.
Now, for the bag situation, it’s got to be practical yet stylish. If she’s playful, she might grab a smaller handbag with a structured shape or a cassette bag in textured leather. Avoid anything too slouchy, and anything too big. Larger bags may be appropriate for actual work, but they don’t feel as playful for this aesthetic trend.
When she’s eyeing that classic vibe, you can bet she’ll be sporting black patent leather.
6. Makeup
Sharply defined with femme fatale undertones—that’s an office siren’s golden rule for makeup. To keep your look elegant and understated, stick to natural tones.
Then, channel your inner corporate hottie with bold lips because nothing exudes confidence like deep red lipstick. It’s the ultimate symbol of female empowerment, which is exactly what you need for high-stakes meetings or networking events. You could also try a burgundy, wine, or eggplant color, we just want to give sensual power.
And if red is giving too much siren and not enough office.. Then try a lined nude lip instead.
And what’s an office siren without her siren eyes? Go dark and dramatic with eyeliners and cat eye flicks. Paired with nude eyeshadow or a subtle shimmer, your peepers will look sharp and lifted. A sharply defined eye can really level up this look.
7. Heels
What says “She-E-O” louder than a killer pair of heels?
The office siren doesn’t mess around with flats or sneakers. She’s all about stilettos, kitten heels, patent pumps, slim knee-high boots, heeled mules, and slingbacks.
Again, these are timeless pieces with a sleek and feminine feel—the perfect finishing touches to the office siren mood board.
If you want to lean more Y2k with your shoe choice you could try a platform boot or heel, but keep the silhouette clean and not too playful or quirky.
8. Hair
This is highly dependent on where you’re leaning with this office siren look. But I think anything slicked back can be great, especially when paired with the go-to siren makeup look mentioned previously. Bella Hadid does great slicked-back buns or y2k-inspired slicked-back looks that work nicely. She’s embraced the office siren look, so if you want some fresh inspiration be sure to follow her style in 2024.
You could also go a bit more youthful with this trend and add a headband. Just make sure you don’t lean too Ralph Lauren and forget about your siren vibes!
If you’re a bit more paired back with your makeup, you may want to try more siren-influenced hair like larger curls or a voluminous half-up/half-down look.
Can you wear this to work though?
Well, I guess this would depend on your job… But generally, I would say no it’s not appropriate for the actual workplace. This is a trend you wear out to dinner, bars, clubs, or outings with friends. It’s smart and sexy, but the essence of the look skews a bit too sexy for most office environments.
Shop the Office Siren Aesthetic
The great part about this style trend is it’s based on a lot of well-fitted basics and timeless silhouettes. So while I don’t encourage you to blow your style budget on every new “aesthetic” or “core” that pops up on the fashion scene, you might be able to hit two birds with one stone with this one.
The key to nailing the office siren aesthetic? Confidence!
The office siren is unapologetically bold and assertive; she knows how to turn heads and get things done.
And when the workday ends, she’s not afraid to let loose and have some fun. After all, life’s too short to be all work and no play!
With the right attitude and the perfect babe boss ensemble, you’ll be unstoppable both in and out of the workplace!
