How to Work Workwear: The Top Trending ‘Corporate’ Items
Searches for ‘corporate chic’ have jumped 103% in the last month. Top trending items include barrel-leg trousers, structured blazers, and women’s ties
You’ve heard of balletcore and cottagecore—now it’s all about corpcore. This trend is set to dominate this season’s workwear, effortlessly blending the traditional workwear look with streamlined, off-duty style for a look that’s equal parts polished and practical. Think librarian chic meets streetwear cool, where your office staples seamlessly transition from boardroom to brunch and beyond. From ties to trenches, this year’s catwalks confirmed it: corporate chic means business. Searches for terms like ‘corporate chic’ have skyrocketed—rising by 103% in the past month. And to get a clearer picture of the must have items for this trend, monthly search volumes and 12-month trend data from Google, Pinterest and TikTok, have been combined to produce establish trend increases for each item.
Looking at this research and latest Michael Kors collection, stylist Ali Lees shares her tips and tricks with us on how to effortlessly combine these trending pieces into your wardrobe.
Top 5 Trending Work Wear Items
Stylist Ali Lees shares her advice on how to put these trending pieces to work in your wardrobe
1. Barrel leg trousers
The trending trouser shape of the summer, Google searches for ‘barrel leg trouser’ have soared by 127% in the last 3 months. These tailored trousers have come out with a perfect 10 in our research, with an average monthly search volume across Google, Pinterest and TikTok of over 7,000, and a dramatic trend increase of 175%.
Their sleek and structured silhouette are the perfect foundation for a look you can dress up or down, Ali explains “as barrel leg trousers bring volume to your bottom half, they look great offset with a tighter top.”
She suggests “pairing with a casual ribbed vest that finishes at your waistband, a simple leather belt and a pair of colourful trainers.”
As for the accessories to pair with these trousers, Ali advises “layer necklaces or fold and loosely tie a silk neckerchief around your neck for a modern look. For a finishing touch, add a structured mini handbag or a cross-body bag.”
2. The trench coat
No wardrobe is complete without a classic trench coat, and it’s reflected in the over 160,000 searches across socials and search engines. Although the average trend score has dropped over the past year, the trench has still secured a space in the coat for the ‘corpcore’ wardrobe.
“Trench coats are a classic Spring staple”, Ali explains. “To keep your trench coat looking fresh outside of office hours, go for an over-sized fit and style with a baseball cap and streamlined athleisure wear such as a sports top, leggings and white tube socks pulled up over the leggings. Chunky trainers and a leather or faux leather backpack will complete the look”.
3. Loafers
Whether you’re pairing them with jeans, a skirt, or a tailored dress, loafers are an essential part of a practical yet polished wardrobe. With over 130,000 combined searches per month, this versatile staple is officially a ‘corpcore’ hero.
From classic penny styles to chunky soles with a modern edge, loafers strike the balance between comfort and polish—ideal for the office, running errands or heading to after-hours drinks. “Your preferred choice of loafer dictates how best to style your outfit”, Ali says.
For something a little more chic, “the classic penny loafer is neat and streamlined, so it pairs well with a preppy look. A crisp striped shirt with white jeans, a classic navy blazer and a saddle-style handbag ticks all the boxes”.
If you’re wanting to make more of a statement, “the more modern super-chunky loafer is edgier, so it goes well with street style clothing choices in bolder colours”.
4. The structured blazer
No ‘corpcore’ look is complete without a structured blazer. While search volumes are lower compared to other items, the trend is gaining momentum fast—with an 106% uptick in the interest over the past year. Paired with a trend increase of 84%, that’s a strong signal that this tailored essential is having a serious moment.
“Blazers have been a workhorse on the boardroom-to-brunch fashion spectrum for some time now, especially oversized blazers”, stylist Ali explains.
“The key to styling over-sized blazers is to cinch the style in at certain points of your body so it doesn’t overwhelm you”, she adds. “A leather belt over the top of a blazer worn with simple straight-leg jeans and Mary Jane pumps looks fresh and interesting”.
What something a little more elevated, Ali suggests a “tuxedo-style blazer with sleeves pushed up is a great day-to-night style when worn over a satin maxi dress. Pair with an over-sized slouchy clutch bag to give softness that counter-balances the structured feel of a blazer”.
5. Ties for women
Google earches for ‘ties for women’ have surged, up 42% in the past year, as this once-traditional menswear item gets a bold, feminine reimagining.
Worn loose over a crisp shirt or layered with waistcoats and tailored trousers, the tie is fast becoming a symbol of modern corporate confidence. The school staple has seen a trend increase of 68% over the last year.
Many of us won’t have touched a tie since the 2010’s, so styling this can be a little intimidating. Ali advises going for “skinny satin ties in a simple block colour such as black as they provide a strikingly elegant look. They make the perfect pairing with a high-thread count masculine cotton shirt and wide-leg tailored trousers, or velvet trousers for evening wear”, she adds.
Don’t fancy a full-on tie? Ali says “a velvet ribbon tied in a bow gives a softer nod to the trend. Another trending alternative is a neckerchief or silk scarf in a paisley print. These look great worn over casual crew-neck T-shirts in place of a necklace.”