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#trending: TikToker criticised for wearing bralette and blazer to work

SINGAPORE — A French fashion influencer known as "Laurie" has gone viral for her skin-baring "office outfit" in a TikTok video posted last month, putting the spotlight on Gen Zers and their unconventional attire in the workplace.

A French fashion influencer has gone viral for her unconventional take on an "office outfit" in a TikTok video.

A French fashion influencer has gone viral for her unconventional take on an "office outfit" in a TikTok video.

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  • A French fashion influencer known as "Laurie" has gone viral for her skin-baring "office outfit"
  • After she put up a TikTok video, many people responded to say it was deemed inappropriate for work
  • In Singapore, it is also not uncommon to see Gen Z TikTokers styling cropped tops and shorts as part of their #workfits
  • Even popular clothing brands such as Revolve and Reformation have begun to advertise "workwear edits", which feature cropped tops, miniskirts and revealing cutouts

SINGAPORE — A French fashion influencer known as "Laurie" has gone viral for her skin-baring "office outfit" in a TikTok video posted last month, putting the spotlight on Gen Zers and their unconventional attire in the workplace.

Laurie, 24, works with her grandmother to sell handmade crochet tops, which are typically cropped and backless with a V-shaped neckline.

In Laurie's video, she pairs one of her handmade crochet bralettes with a pair of high-waisted slacks before throwing a blazer over.

Though many TikTokers complimented her handiwork and style, viewing the video 1.1 million times, some also questioned whether or not the ensemble was truly viable as a "work outfit", as she called it.

One top comment on the video read: "Not sure in which office that would be appropriate but it looks great."

Another provided a handy trick for making fashion decisions: "If you have to ask, 'Is this appropriate for work?', the answer is always going to be no..."

One commenter suggested that France might have different ideas of work-appropriate dressing than other countries such as the United States. However, it seemed that even some of Laurie's fellow countrymen did not approve.

A comment went: "I don't know which (night) club you work in... but where I'm from, if you show up like that, you get sent straight home."

Office wear has come a long way over the past few decades. Formal business attire is still required in certain sectors such as finance, but office workers are generally adopting a more casual style in the workplace.

In Singapore, it is also not uncommon to see Gen Z TikTokers styling cropped tops and shorts as part of their #workfits.

Whether or not this is acceptable, however, is constantly up for debate.

In a video from Singaporean TikTok user "intotheunknnown", which gathered 377,300 views, she shows off how she wears a cardigan to "make all (her) cropped tops work-appropriate".

The top comment on her video simply read: "I'm sorry but it's still not work-appropriate."

The young TikToker reportedly works in auditing.

@intotheunknnown

the slut in me only has cropped tops- and the broke in me cant justify buying work clothes

♬ im obsessed - حسنا

Singaporean user "ninjabread_" laments in another video: "Every day is a struggle to find office-appropriate outfits 😭."

Her video, which has 94,500 views, showcases outfits she had worn for an internship.

One Singapore TikToker said: "I see you gave up and started wearing crops because same." 

@ninjabread_ everyday is a struggle to find office appropriate outfits 😭 #internoutfits #officeoutfits ♬ original sound - Qilah

Judging from a number of Reddit threads on the topic, it appears online users generally agree that cropped tops are acceptable if worn with high-waisted pants or a full-length shirt, such that the midriff is not showing.

One user advised: "Never show your midriff in an office setting... Even if it’s deemed a 'casual office'."

In addition, many people still seem to think one should steer clear of cropped clothing at work to maintain a professional image.

Evidently, people have firm ideas about what is and is not appropriate in the workplace — and not everyone has caught up.

In a couple of TikTok videos earlier this year, a beauty and fashion critic who goes by the handle Pretty Critical argued that popular clothing brands such as Revolve and Reformation have hilariously missed the mark on the casual workplace trend.

Trying to jump on the bandwagon, these brands have taken to advertising "workwear edits", which feature cropped tops styled with cropped blazers, as well as miniskirts and revealing cutouts.

One of the videos by Pretty Cynical on "workwear that will get you fired", posted in August, has amassed 572,000 views and 930 comments from baffled office workers.

One comment read: "It's like office attire cosplay."

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Trending fashion office wear Gen Z

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