Photo illustration of Sawdah Bhaimiya.
The first image is the author in a work outfit after graduating college in 2021. The second is the author in a work outfit in 2024.
  • Gen Z shows up to work in outfits that their colleagues sometimes deem unprofessional.
  • Casual wear has filtered into the office since the pandemic, confusing standard dress codes. 
  • Business Insider spoke to corporate stylists about how Gen Z can look professional at work. 

Like many pandemic graduates, I started my first job out of college as a reporter at Business Insider working entirely remotely and spent the first few months meeting my manager and colleagues via video call.

At the time, I had very few work-appropriate items. My wardrobe largely consisted of crop tops, jeans, sweatpants, hoodies, and other items that represented peak college life.