Blog #17: New Work – New Wear?

By Natascha de Raad
reading time: 3 Minutes
 

coming into focus in different ways for men and women. The trend, probably even more than that, is clearly moving towards business casual.  This is the style that combines elements of the classic business outfit with casual everyday pieces.  I think this rapid change has been driven by the working and living conditions during the pandemic. Three years of slipper offices instead of offices and team meetings instead of face-to-face meetings provided the decisive kick for New Work - New Wear

In concrete terms, this means that the new business is followed by business casual and therefore for men - no suit trousers, no high-necked shirt with tie and no polished leather shoes, instead chinos and cargos, polo shirts and sneakers. This is more comfortable, more individual and can still pass as an appropriate and attractive outfit. For me, it has all changed so quickly. The uniformed suit wearers have had their day and are uniformed again with open shirts, often in fashionable designs, and with expensive sporty shoes.

For women, the situation is somewhat more differentiated, if only because the choice of looks is more varied.  Here you often see a new combination of classic and modern, especially at business events. A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable to wear a little black dress with sneakers or Chelsea boots.

And then I notice a trend among women that is becoming increasingly popular in business, the media and politics. The protagonist is our Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. She obviously loves dresses, which she wears in all variations and creations, judging by the many photos of her public appearances around the world.  Take a look at the TV presenters who are increasingly appearing on screen in dresses. The dress as an everyday garment is currently an absolute must-have, the it-piece for women, whether in mini, midi or maxi - and solo, without a blazer or bolero jacket. Speaking of blazers, they still exist, but I see the classic version in combination with pants or skirts less and less often. If the traditional trouser suit makes it onto the stage, then at least this season it's in bright colors like grass green or bright orange. The other day I even read "Pink is the new black". Well then!

In general, of course, there are new or recurring fashion trends in terms of colors and shapes every season. And there are trends that stabilize and consolidate, such as jeans fashion or the recurring animal prints or paisley designs.

Perhaps I'm exaggerating a little, but I see the development in the fashion sector as a "turning point".  The outfit is a social mirror that not only reflects New Work, but also the transformation of society as a whole. So far so good!

Finally, I have to come back to the event I mentioned at the beginning, the Goslar Pancket, a fantastic event with 232 guests in the Kaiserpfalz: a 750 square meter hall decorated with historical murals, scenes from German history from the 8th to the 19th century. A feast by candlelight, according to medieval recipes and in view of the German emperors. The Goslar Pancket revives the tradition of Hanseatic merchants to feast and chat. Anyone who has ever visited the imperial palace knows what an impressive ambience I am talking about.  By the way, the event has - quite traditionally - a very clear, above-average proportion of men. There is no official dress code, but of course the suits dominated and the small number of ladies shone with an elegant outfit appropriate to the setting.  That also seems appropriate to me. I found the two or three gentlemen with open collared shirts and no ties striking in this context.

I observe all of this when my gaze wanders through the area, no matter where, and then I remember the Goethe quote: "Whatever pleases is permitted".  But wait, there are still conventions that should be observed. Sometimes it makes sense not to jump on every trend and not to wear every shoe. For example, I like to wear sneakers, they are suitable for the office, very comfortable and, unlike high heels, promote foot well-being. But sneakers with an elegant evening dress are a no-go for me. And on the subject of jogging trousers, I wouldn't wear them to the office (even if they were made by Lagerfeld). 

Do my observations coincide with your experiences? Do you think that clothing is a generational issue? What do you wear when you leave the house? I look forward to your feedback, let's talk about it! Feel free to write to me: blog@med-x-press.de