After years of wearing pandemic-era tracksuits and a nice top for Zoom meetings, many employees are in the dark about what’s appropriate to wear now that they’re back in an office. While all generations are lost, Gen Z is having the hardest time, with many even turning to their managers for styling tips.
About 78% of workers are seeking guidance on what to wear at work, according to recent data from workplace solutions company IWG. But the youngest cohort of employees needs the most help, with 94% of Gen Z looking for advice on their work outfits, compared to 84% of millennials, 70% of Gen Xers, and 61% of baby boomers. Much of Gen Z’s confusion may chalk up to simply being the newest in the office, with many having started their careers from their couch.
“It’s understandable that the generation with the least working experience will have the most questions about what to wear and what is appropriate in the workplace,” Diana Tsui, a stylist and creative consultant partnering with IWG, tells Fortune. “There has been a fundamental shift in the way in which employees of all generations approach their workwear attire.”
But with over half of employees in each generation looking for workplace fashion tips, the changing rules have left many unsure of what’s appropriate. The lack of clarity is so bad it’s stressing people out—staffers said they experience anxiety about what to wear to the office seven times a month.
