In 2023, girlhood was on the rise in fashion—lacy skirts and babydoll dresses topped with bows, frills, and ribbons were everywhere on the runway. In 2024, womanhood was on the rise—emerging through the office siren trend. Like all corporate offices, the office siren style came with its own unique set of dress codes. That included slim-fitted blouses, flared trousers, tight pencil skirts, and point-toed stilettos—and let's not forget about the iconic thin-framed rectangle glasses (aka Bayonetta glasses). In an article on the office siren trend, Daisy Alioto, the CEO of Dirt Media, comments that "there is a huge chasm between girlhood and womanhood." She points out that as the trends in fashion have moved from girlhood to womanhood, something is missing from that rapid transition. As spring 2025 comes around the corner, I forecast a new, trendy way of dressing that may act as a bridge to this gap.
It draws on corporate styling as a foundation while incorporating elements of playful and vibrant girlhood. Its "uniform" isn't limited to the solid colors of white, grey, black. It often features brightly colored pastel blues, oranges, and especially pink. It has ditched pinstripe for bolder and varying awning, balanced, and hairline stripes.
These colorful, striped blouses were often produced by brands like Express and Gap in the aughts. Check out your local thrift, Depot, eBay, and other second-hand sources! Stores like Princess Polly and Brandy Melville have recently dropped new blouses that give off this vibe.
It draws on corporate styling as a foundation while incorporating elements of playful and vibrant girlhood. Its "uniform" isn't limited to the solid colors of white, grey, black. It often features brightly colored pastel blues, oranges, and especially pink. It has ditched pinstripe for bolder and varying awning, balanced, and hairline stripes.
These colorful, striped blouses were often produced by brands like Express and Gap in the aughts. Check out your local thrift, Depot, eBay, and other second-hand sources! Stores like Princess Polly and Brandy Melville have recently dropped new blouses that give off this vibe.
In addition to donning more colorful tops, steer clear of simple corporate black skirts or trousers and try pairing your blouse with jeans, capris, a white linen skirt, or a flowy midi/maxi skirt! I especially love the matching puff-sleeved blouse and vintage style bloomers set that Mode Mischief designed.
Mode Mischief
Vivienne Blouse and Marly Shorts in Apple Plaid
Mode Mischief
Vivienne Blouse and Costes Midi Skirt in Rhubarb Plaid
Outfit Inspo
Like seen in a last three inspo photos above, this way of dressing sometimes takes typical office siren pieces—like a classic, fitted white blouse—and mixes things up by accessorizing with maximalist jewelry or by unconventionally pairing them with, say, dolphin shorts or a plaid skirt.
Don't be afraid to experiment with colors, patterns, and accessories. After all, the transition from girlhood to womanhood isn't seamless.
Don't be afraid to experiment with colors, patterns, and accessories. After all, the transition from girlhood to womanhood isn't seamless.