SeventyFour / Shutterstock.com Essentials | In Style Gen Z In The Workplace Young professionals are looking for function and sustainability, as well as fashion, in workwear and accessories. By Hanna Brookshire WORKPLACE ATTIRE HAS undergone a lot of changes since the pre-pandemic days, and now with Generation Z entering the workforce, it’s changing once again. With the rise of working from home, workplace fashion has become increasingly casual. Neckties are things of the past, and jeans are no longer limited to once a week. Gen Z is continuing this casual trend, but with our own spin. As a member of Gen Z, there are a few things that I and other Gen Zers look for when it comes to workplace wear. For example, I’ve tried to create a capsule wardrobe. This term that’s all over social media and in fashion magazines like Vogue refers to cultivating a small but versatile wardrobe of mix-and-match basics. This shopping method clears up closet space, makes picking an outfit a breeze and limits consumption. Kate Murray, communications and public relations specialist at American Solutions for Business – the No. 10 distributor in the PPAI 100 – attests to this, explaining that Gen Z “builds off base layers.” “Classic and versatile pieces like staple T-shirts, tank tops and body suits are paired with jeans or classic slacks. On top of these staples, we see blazers, vests and sweaters,” Murray says. When looking for apparel items for Gen Z, it’s crucial to find pieces that are “very timeless [with] clean lines [and] clean colors,” as Emily Codner, director of affiliate services at iPROMOTEu – the No. 11 distributor in the PPAI 100 – puts it. Limiting our use of fast fashion and buying products that are sustainably and ethically made is crucial to me and many other Gen Z workers. When it comes to our preferred accessories, function and style are key. Gone are the days of utilitarian backpacks or bulky briefcases – Gen Zers want to show our personality in every item we own. Additionally, 14 • OCTOBER 2024 • PPAI
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