Move over gorpcore, corpcore’s in town. Over the past year, the reiteration of microtrends being labelled as a variety of ‘core’s–think balletcore, cottagecore, and most recently, coquette core–have been hot pockets of discourse in the fashion scene, with no visible signs of slowing down. The latest to arrive at the party? Corpcore.
It’s a fresh take on your typical 9 to 5 dress code. A move away from the ‘clean girl’ and ‘quiet luxury’ ethos, corpcore takes reference from office attire in the ’90s, exploring classic workwear in a slightly grungier and streamlined manner. Think It-girl Bella Hadid’s librarian-esque outfits in the form of striped button downs, plaid skirts and prescription glasses or Gisele Bündchen’s brief appearance as the stylish Serena in The Devil Wears Prada.
Corpcore also takes notes from the runway, with designers across the board reinventing traditional executive dressing through exaggerated volume, asymmetrical detail and deconstructed pieces. For spring/summer 2024, Boss embraced corporate chic. Models were seen in tailored suits, sleek pencil skirts and the classic shirt and tie combination. Sheer stockings, a pen and notebook in hand as well as leather briefcases amplified each look. Meanwhile, Jil Sander saw a pared back approach, with oversized boxy blazers paired with loose knee-length pleated shorts and button downs.
While corpcore may be a niche trend, it borrows inspiration from a myriad of styles. From its fellow ‘librariancore’ to preppy vintage, below are different ways to nail the corporate chic aesthetic, on and off the runway.
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A power blazer
A blazer is quintessential to your workwear wardrobe. It’s timeless, versatile and pulls together any outfit. Take a page out of this season’s book and opt for structure and exaggerated shoulders. Go for a cropped cut as spotted at Peter Do or pair it with a textured top to take things up a notch.
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Elsa Hosk
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Peter Do belted paneled silk-blend satin and silk-chiffon wide-leg pants, $475
Available on Net-a-Porter.
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Pleats aplenty
A surefire way to elevate your office look? Pleated slacks. On wide-legged trousers, they make for a subtle statement. On knee-length tailored shorts, they’re just the thing for a casual workwear approach while keeping things office-appropriate.
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Pleats aplenty
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Sacai off-centre zip-fastening wool cardigan, $1,102
Available on Farfetch.
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Prep nostalgia
Corpcore takes things back to school, with uniform-inspired ensembles reminiscent of days in the classroom. The key to this is layering, with crisp white shirts as a base for a structured dress or knit pullovers, as seen at Jil Sander. For the classic shirt and tie combo, experiment with leather trousers or a bold tie to make a statement.
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Prep nostalgia
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Alexander McQueen rose-appliqué cotton shirt, $1,865
Available on Farfetch.
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Femme chic
Embrace a sophisticated form of sensuality: think elegant tops with bows, velvet and sheer accents or snug knits paired with sleek pencil skirts. The look isn’t complete with accessories, of course. A thin scarf, sheer stockings or prescription glasses would be the cherry on top.
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Femme chic
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Gentle Monster Miview 01 cat-eye frame glasses, $396
Available on Farfetch.
