June 03, 2024
Return to the Office With ‘Corp-Core’ Trend
Blazers, button-downs, slacks and more professional pieces are having a fashion moment.
The 9-to-5 job is going overtime with the latest fashion trend.
“Corp-core,” deriving its name from previous aesthetics like “gorpcore” and “balletcore,” takes corporate fashion far beyond the workplace.
Headlined by blazers, slacks and button-downs, corp-core stretches the boundaries of “professional wear” to the streets and runways. Think pinstripe suits transforming into going-out looks (check out model Bella Hadid’s Paris Fashion Week rendition) or a blazer and button-down to top off jeans as streetwear (see actress Zendaya out and about in New York City).
Fashion houses like Hugo Boss, Valentino and Alexander McQueen have co-opted corp-core for the runway in recent seasons, bringing new looks for the working woman. Cropped blazers, embroidered poplin shirts, pleated wide-leg shorts and crepe dresses evoke the trend.
The movement follows fashion’s tendency of reinventing classic motifs, with The Voice of Fashion describing corp-core as “breaking from pattern while enjoying the essence.” And chief among the corp-core arbiters are young change-makers themselves: mainly millennials and Gen Z.
Take a word from the youngsters and integrate corp-core into your corporate branding initiatives. From conference attire to employee milestone gifts, fashion-forward professional wear can fit the job.
1. Brand Ambassadors
Given their taste-making credentials, suggest that brand ambassadors step out in style at high-profile events.
PITCH: Form-fitting blazers – with a luxurious embroidered logo – are an elevated way for employees to represent their company’s brand.
OGIO Ladies blazer (WNG-895) from Wine-n-Gear (asi/97296)
2. Employee Milestone Gifts
Corporate core-inspired gifts add meaning and sophistication to professional landmarks.
PITCH: Suggest that companies top off goodie bags for employees’ milestone anniversaries with custom cufflinks to embellish trendy overcoats with corp-core flair.
Custom die-struck enamel cufflinks (CLBSE75) from EMT (asi/52263)
3. Trade Show Uniforms
Companies looking for a way to stand out at crowded trade shows could outfit booth employees in executive chic, creating a sense of uniformity and professionalism.
PITCH: Recommend pencil skirts in company colors – rather than the expected polo shirt – as a fashion-forward option for trade shows and conferences.
Pencil skirt (SC162) from Branding Your Brand (asi/90200)
4. Gift Shops
Museum, civic and company gift shops can elevate their brands and their customers’ fashion with dapper, corp-core promotional offerings.
PITCH: Spotlight colorful scarves featuring artistic, corporate or government branding.
Pleated neck scarf (V 6099) from Uniprint Inc. (asi/92491)
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