From pajama-inspired ensembles to athletic wear, Gen Z employees are rewriting office style rules — and sparking plenty of discussion along the way.
One 21-year-old trendsetter, Victoria Olegario, has pushed the boundaries even further, drawing attention — and criticism — from those who say she dresses more like she’s heading to a nightclub than an office.
Olegario, who works at a New York City modeling agency, frequently posts her workday looks on social media. Her wardrobe often includes micro shorts, midriff-baring tops, and bold statement pieces that have turned heads both online and in real life.
Just last month, her fashion choices went viral when she wore an army-green outfit featuring knee-high boots, a thigh-slit skirt, and a strappy one-shoulder top, topped with a cardigan draped loosely over her shoulders. The look, posted on July 7, racked up 718,200 views.
Reaction was divided. Some applauded her confidence and sense of style, while others questioned her judgment.
“It’s an office, not COACHELLA. People need to understand the places, and the dress code.” one critic wrote in a post that garnered 6.2 million views and more than 1,200 interactions.
Another added: “I love it for a festival or going to a club, but not for an office, very out of place and forced.”
Yet many noted that working in fashion gives Olegario a unique freedom with her clothing choices. Speaking to People, she confirmed that her style reflects her “young wild and free spirit.”
“The younger generation isn’t interested in dressing in stuffy monotone outfits every day like they did in the 1950s,” she said, adding that her colleagues often compliment her looks. “Personally, my coworkers were complimenting my outfit but stay mad over your dress code!”
“As long as you’re not naked, you can wear whatever you want.” Olegario emphasized.
She also voiced her hope for a broader cultural shift: “Office dress culture should be a lot more lenient than it currently is.”
Describing her aesthetic as an “amalgamation of different eras of rock and roll,” Olegario cites icons like Stevie Nicks and Janis Joplin as inspirations, mixing flowing, bohemian pieces with fitted silhouettes. She also embraces going braless, explaining, “I think we as a society just need to free the nip.”
Though criticism is inevitable, Olegario says she rarely lets it bother her. “I know better,” she explained, noting that she has been active on social media since age 14. “But if I’m in the mood to be a bitch, I’ll match their energy and say something catty or sarcastic.”
