Reinvigorating a style that has long been worn to work, the “office siren” trend is gaining extra attention online thanks to TikTok. An evolved form of power dressing, the aesthetic combines sultry pencil skirts, smoky eyes, kitten heels, and a dash of early-2000s glam.
In some workplaces, the office siren aesthetic is seen as a confident embrace of personal style; in others, it can raise questions about professionalism, credibility or leadership potential.
That tension raises a larger question: How do workplace fashion choices shape how women are perceived?
To answer this and learn more about the trend, we spoke with Phoebe Gavin, a career and leadership coach, to weigh in on what’s considered professional attire for women at work to wear.
What is the office siren trend?
The office siren look — also popular on TikTok under “corp-core” or “girlboss 2.0” — blends traditional office attire with a sexier, more feminine twist.
“I would define it as merging the standard corporate office dress code with a sexier spin that shows a little bit more skin or shows a little bit more curves, a bit more feminine, a little bit [sexier], and merging those things,” Gavin says.
Many view the office siren trend as more than just a fashion statement; it’s a form of self-expression for young professionals entering the workforce and perhaps even a subtle form of rebellion.
“It is related to young professionals being rebels and wanting to change the workplace,” Gavin explains. “It is also about personal expression, which is super important to this younger generation coming into the workforce and being authentic,” she adds.
While the office siren style allows young professionals to express confidence and individuality, it can also create tension in more traditional workplaces.
Choices like sultry pencil skirts or bold makeup may be celebrated online, but in the office, they can influence how colleagues and managers perceive professionalism and leadership potential.
“When we think about the workplace trends that we see across this generation – folks under 30 – this idea of authenticity and pushing back against oppressive workplace norms, exploitive workplace norms, keeps coming up.”
While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, any workplace decision should be made with a clear understanding of its implications.
Is the office siren trend risky?
While the office siren trend offers a form of self-expression, it can also come with unforeseen workplace consequences. Many younger professionals who adopt this style may not realize how it can shape perceptions of their credibility, authority or ideas.
“Unfortunately, a lot of the people who are seeing this trend on TikTok and taking it into the office are not informed about it,” Gavin says.
Often, the people who are pushing this trend are not people who have corporate workplace experience, she explains. “They’re people who make money off of views on TikTok.”
What are the risks?
If you make this decision thinking you’re being authentic and confident but overlook the potential consequences — such as being pulled into HR or having your ideas dismissed in a meeting — it’s not a very good one, Gavin says.
While one might argue employees should have the freedom to dress how they feel most comfortable, the office siren TikTok look often clashes with workplace biases — fair or not.
“Women are judged much more harshly for dressing in a way that is suggestive or that attracts attention in a more sexualized way,” she observes.
If an employee is perceived as less serious, competent or capable — even if undeserved — their ideas may be discounted, they could be passed over for promotions, face workplace bullying or judgment from their coworkers.
Performance evaluations, including improvement plans or termination, can also be influenced, all based on perception rather than merit.
According to a 2024 study published by the Journal of Applied Psychology, work colleagues will size up your competence and warmth based on how you dress, and those judgments impact their perception of your performance and how willing they are to help you.
“In this situation, this is a choice that people are welcome to make, but unfortunately, it’s very likely to trigger some of those consequences,” Gavin says.
Even with the potential drawbacks, some employees may still want to incorporate elements of the office siren style into their professional wardrobe.
The key is making choices with awareness.
“Whatever decision you make for yourself is the right decision for you, if you are doing it from an informed perspective,” she adds.
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