Fashion’s response to the return-to-office movement

As Australian professionals gradually return to physical workplaces, the fashion industry has swiftly adapted, reflecting this cultural shift through design and styling. The return-to-office movement has sparked a renewed interest in tailored silhouettes, structured garments, and elevated basics that blend comfort with professionalism. Designers are responding not just with nostalgia for traditional officewear, but with a modernised take that aligns with contemporary work-life dynamics.

Brands are reimagining classic workwear staples—think blazers, trousers, and button-down shirts—by incorporating relaxed fits, sustainable fabrics, and gender-fluid tailoring. This evolution caters to a workforce that values both style and functionality, especially in hybrid work environments where versatility is key. The emphasis is on pieces that transition seamlessly from boardroom to after-hours, reflecting the blurred boundaries of today’s professional life.

In Australia, where climate and lifestyle influence fashion choices, local designers are embracing lightweight materials and breathable fabrics to suit the warmer seasons, while still maintaining a polished aesthetic. Linen suiting, soft tailoring, and neutral palettes are gaining traction, offering a fresh take on office attire that feels both relevant and wearable.

Retailers have also noted a shift in consumer behaviour, with increased demand for wardrobe staples that exude quiet confidence. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, shoppers are investing in timeless pieces that support a more intentional and curated approach to dressing for work. This shift underscores a broader cultural movement towards mindful consumption and personal expression within professional settings.

Power dressing redefined by luxury labels

Luxury fashion houses are leading the charge in redefining power dressing, moving away from rigid, traditional silhouettes and embracing a more nuanced, expressive approach. Labels like Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta are reinterpreting the power suit with softer lines, unexpected textures, and a focus on individuality. The result is a new era of officewear that balances authority with authenticity—where strength is conveyed not through severity, but through confidence and creativity.

Stella McCartney’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection exemplifies this shift. Her tailoring features fluid cuts and eco-conscious fabrics, offering a modern take on the classic suit that feels both empowering and approachable. The use of neutral tones and subtle detailing allows wearers to project professionalism without sacrificing personal style. In the Australian context, where workplace culture often leans towards the relaxed and informal, this evolution resonates deeply, offering a refined yet wearable option for professionals across industries.

Meanwhile, Prada’s recent campaigns have leaned into the narrative of returning to structure, but with a twist. Their suiting incorporates bold shoulders and cinched waists, but pairs them with unexpected elements like knitwear or sporty accessories, creating a juxtaposition that feels fresh and forward-thinking. This blend of formality and playfulness reflects the changing expectations of office attire, where self-expression is increasingly valued alongside traditional markers of professionalism.

For Australian consumers, this redefinition of power dressing aligns with a broader cultural embrace of individuality and ease. The emphasis is no longer on conforming to a rigid dress code, but on curating a wardrobe that communicates confidence, competence, and character. As luxury labels continue to blur the lines between workwear and fashion-forward design, they are empowering professionals to dress with intention and impact.

• Soft tailoring replaces stiff, structured silhouettes
• Neutral palettes and sustainable fabrics dominate collections
• Designs prioritise versatility for hybrid work environments
• Luxury brands embrace gender-fluid and inclusive fits

This evolution in power dressing is not just about aesthetics—it’s a reflection of shifting workplace values and the growing desire for authenticity in professional spaces. As Australian professionals navigate this new landscape, luxury fashion offers tools for self-expression that are both stylish and strategic.

The rise of office-inspired runway collections

Runway shows across the globe are increasingly echoing the rhythms of office life, with designers drawing direct inspiration from the workplace to shape their seasonal collections. The Autumn/Winter 2025 runways in Paris, Milan, and New York have seen a surge in office-inspired ensembles, signalling a broader cultural fascination with the rituals and aesthetics of professional life. From sharply tailored blazers to pencil skirts reimagined with asymmetrical cuts, the catwalk is embracing the boardroom as a new frontier for fashion innovation.

Stella McCartney’s latest collection, for instance, featured models striding down the runway in coordinated suiting that nodded to corporate uniforms but with a distinctly modern twist—think oversized lapels, relaxed trousers, and eco-conscious materials. The look is polished yet progressive, appealing to a new generation of professionals who value both sustainability and style. In Australia, where the fashion scene often blends international trends with local sensibilities, these collections are resonating with consumers seeking elevated workwear that doesn’t feel overly formal or restrictive.

Other designers are taking a more conceptual approach. At Balenciaga, officewear was deconstructed and reassembled into avant-garde silhouettes, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes professional attire. Meanwhile, brands like The Row and Victoria Beckham offered minimalist interpretations of the office wardrobe, focusing on clean lines, luxurious fabrics, and impeccable tailoring. These collections speak to a growing appetite for understated elegance—an aesthetic that aligns well with the Australian preference for effortless sophistication.

Australian designers are also contributing to this global conversation. Labels such as Bianca Spender and Camilla and Marc are incorporating office-ready pieces into their collections, blending structure with fluidity to suit the country’s climate and lifestyle. Lightweight blazers, wide-leg trousers, and sleeveless vests are being styled in ways that feel both contemporary and workplace-appropriate, offering local professionals a fresh take on traditional officewear.

“We’re seeing a real shift in how people want to present themselves at work,” says a Sydney-based fashion buyer. “It’s less about dressing to impress and more about dressing to express—comfort, confidence, and a sense of identity.”

This shift is also influencing how fashion is merchandised and marketed. Retailers are curating collections that highlight the versatility of office-inspired pieces, showcasing how a single blazer can be styled for both a client meeting and a casual Friday lunch. The emphasis is on modular dressing—building a wardrobe of interchangeable staples that support a dynamic, hybrid lifestyle.

• Runway collections are embracing officewear as a central theme
• Designers are blending structure with comfort and sustainability
• Australian labels are adapting global trends to suit local climates
• Retailers are promoting versatility and modular styling

As the return-to-office movement continues to shape consumer behaviour, the fashion industry is responding with collections that celebrate the workplace not as a constraint, but as a canvas for creativity. For Australian professionals, this means more options than ever to express their personal style while navigating the evolving demands of modern work life.

Fashion’s response to the return-to-office movement

As the return-to-office movement gains momentum, fashion houses are responding with collections that reflect a renewed appetite for structure, polish and purpose-driven dressing. The shift away from loungewear signals a cultural pivot—one that designers are embracing with tailored silhouettes, elevated basics and a reimagining of corporate chic.

Stella McCartney’s Autumn/Winter 2025 womenswear collection is a standout example, blending sustainability with sharp tailoring. Her lookbook features clean lines, oversized blazers and fluid trousers that nod to traditional suiting while maintaining a modern, feminine edge. The palette leans into neutrals—think charcoal, camel and ivory—offering versatility for the contemporary professional wardrobe.

Meanwhile, Prada’s “Now That We’re Here” campaign captures the emotional nuance of returning to shared spaces. The campaign’s styling leans into minimalism with a cerebral twist—structured coats, crisp shirting and subtle accessories that speak to quiet confidence. It’s less about dressing for the boardroom and more about dressing with intention.

“There’s a sense of ceremony in getting dressed again,” says a Sydney-based stylist. “Clients are looking for pieces that feel elevated but wearable—something that transitions from a morning meeting to an after-hours event without missing a beat.”

Australian designers are also tapping into this shift. Labels like Camilla and Marc and Viktoria & Woods are offering refined tailoring with a relaxed sensibility—perfect for the hybrid work model many women are navigating. The emphasis is on quality fabrics, thoughtful cuts and timeless appeal.

• Blazers are being cut longer and looser, often belted or paired with wide-leg trousers.
• Shirting is crisp but softened with feminine details—pleats, puff sleeves or subtle draping.
• Footwear is shifting from sneakers to sleek loafers and low block heels, balancing comfort with polish.

This return-to-office aesthetic isn’t about reverting to old norms—it’s about redefining what professional style looks like in 2025. And for Australian women, it’s a chance to embrace fashion that’s both empowering and expressive.

Designers reimagine the modern power suit

Designers are taking the power suit and giving it a 2025 makeover—less rigid, more expressive, and deeply attuned to the needs of the modern woman. The traditional two-piece has evolved into a canvas for creativity, with unexpected textures, asymmetrical cuts and tonal layering redefining what it means to dress with authority.

Stella McCartney’s AW25 collection exemplifies this shift. Her tailoring is precise but never severe—think double-breasted jackets with sculptural shoulders, paired with fluid trousers that move with ease. The use of eco-conscious wool blends and recycled materials adds a layer of purpose to the polish, aligning with the values of the conscious consumer.

In Australia, the reinterpretation of the power suit is being led by designers who understand the local lifestyle. Bianca Spender’s latest collection features suiting in soft eucalyptus tones and breathable linens, ideal for the trans-seasonal climate. Her silhouettes are architectural yet wearable, with wrap blazers and high-waisted trousers that flatter without constraining.

Meanwhile, Aje is injecting femininity into tailoring with cinched waists, exaggerated lapels and unexpected fabric pairings—like structured cotton twill with silk organza. The result is a look that’s equal parts strength and softness, perfect for women who want to command a room without compromising their personal style.

• Suiting separates are being styled with silk camisoles, knit tanks or even crop tops for a layered, modern effect.
• Colour palettes are expanding beyond black and navy—dusty rose, sage green and soft grey are emerging as new neutrals.
• Accessories are minimal but intentional: sculptural earrings, leather belts and structured totes complete the look.

There’s a clear move toward versatility—pieces that can be worn together or broken apart, styled up or down. It’s not just about dressing for the office; it’s about dressing for the life that happens around it. For Australian women navigating boardrooms, creative studios and everything in between, the new power suit is a wardrobe essential that speaks volumes without saying a word.