What is the ‘corpcore’ aesthetic and why is it surging in popularity?

If ‘office siren’ was a hyperfeminine take on corporate dressing, corpcore is its masculine counterpart.

In the age of business-casual, hybrid work-from-home schedules and hotdesking, classic office attire can almost feel like a novelty. Yes, corporate dress codes very much still exist. But in a post-girlboss world, there seems to be less appeal to ‘dress for the job you want’. Instead, we’re often prioritising comfort, ease and personal style in our everyday work wardrobes. On the weekend? That’s a different story.

The ‘office siren’ aesthetic was 2024’s first introduction to nine-to-five-inspired dressing. Seemingly overnight, For You Pages were inundated with skintight pencil skirts, messy chignons and silky unbuttoned blouses. But being more ’90s-era sexy secretary cosplay than C-suite, the trend sparked conversations around whether or not these outfits were actually office-appropriate. 

For more on the circular economy, head to our Pre-Loved section.

More recently, we’ve seen a resurgence of executive-style dressing – think pantsuits, vests, boxy blazers and meticulously placed pleats. If ‘office siren’ was a hyperfeminine take on corporate dressing, corpcore is its masculine counterpart. We’re wearing ties again (but less in a ‘Sk8er Boi’ way, more in a Spring/Summer ’25 Parisian runway way) and choosing pinstripes over clashing prints.

Like most fashion trends, office-inspired dressing has been informed by cultural moments as much as what’s happening on the runways. We’re watching corporate dramas like Industry, Severance and Succession, while stars are wearing bayonetta glasses and swivelling around on office chairs.But it’s not all shades of grey. A welcome reprieve from the fleeting microtrends of the last few years, corpcore lends itself to high-quality wardrobe staples and careful tailoring – the perfect versatile base for statement pieces. I don’t dream of labour, but I do dream of soft cashmere sweater vests, wide-leg suit pants and patent leather loafers. And can you blame me?

How to nail corpcore, ethically

While social media’s constant churn of microtrends can feel exhausting, it’s important to remember that sometimes, jumping on the bandwagon can be fun. But instead of turning to fast fashion to satiate that craving, try looking for pre-loved capsule pieces on platforms like eBay. You can narrow down your search terms to the specific styles, sizes and brands you’re looking for, plus you’ll be contributing to the circular fashion economy instead of buying something new. 

“Investing in a good blazer or tailored pants will give you both a look for the office and a simple way to elevate any outfit,” explains Anne-Marie Cheney, eBay Australia’s Fashion Lead. “Plus, in my view, a good high-quality blazer and capsule pieces like tailored pants never go  out of style, so if you want to resell those items on eBay and recoup some of your initial spend, you can.”

While oversized blazers will always be cool, a lot of corpcore’s appeal is in well-tailored suits, fitted pants and snug sweater vests. It’s important to get the sizing right. “Look for the brands you like and know the fit for,” Anne-Marie says. “Understanding your sizing and how an item fits will help to minimise the risk of the item not being quite right. If you’ve invested in a piece before from a brand you love, you should have a good idea of its sizing and how it runs.

“When you find something you like, take the time to look through the listing description and photos to make sure it is right for you. If the seller has listed the measurements, this is an excellent opportunity to check that it would fit. You can always contact the seller if you are unsure of anything.”

Anne-Marie also suggests maximising the eBay filters to narrow down your search. “You can filter by brand, size, price and condition, letting you be super specific when searching for your next find. It will help you reduce the time spent scrolling through listings, as you’ll only see the brands you’re after,” she says.

“When looking for tailored pieces, eBay has a huge range of brands Aussies love, including classic Australian brands like Anna Quan, Camilla and Marc and Viktoria and Woods, which know how to nail those timeless capsule pieces.”

Taking care of business

Every trend cycle also presents a new opportunity to sell the pieces du jour collecting dust in your wardrobe. Get ahead of the corpcore curve by listing any blazers, tailored pants, vests or pleated midi skirts you no longer wear. And when it comes to creating your listing, think like a buyer! 

What do you look for when you’re shopping pre-loved fashion? Clear photos and details like measurements, fabric composition, condition and brand can make all the difference. Potential buyers might contact you with questions, so keep an eye on your messages. A little effort goes a long way and remember: every piece sold means more wardrobe space and a little extra cash for your next pre-loved find.

Start browsing and selling your corpcore pieces on eBay. 

eBay is not endorsed by or affiliated with any of the brands referenced in this article.