THE RISE OF BUSINESS-CORE

Words by Jamal Grootboom | Images: Supplied

As the Y2K trend cycle begins its exit from the fashion forefront, we slowly inch towards the mid-2000s along with the newest trend: business-core. Business-core is, in essence, a reskinned version of the smart casual aesthetic that’s very familiar to millennials who had their clubbing era in that period. For those who are unfamiliar with it, there was a time when wearing blazers, waistcoats, peplum dresses/tops, platform stiletto heels and square-toe formal shoes to the club was the dress code. It looked like a bunch of 18 to 25-year-olds had a business meeting at 4pm followed by after-hours cocktail hour. Meanwhile, it’s 1am and ‘Get Low’ by Lil John is blasting on the speakers.

Gen Z has taken elements from this period and reinvented them by infusing smart casual elements with a streetwear-inspired sensibility into their everyday wardrobe. This is the modern incarnation of dressing smart casual, and we’ve got the low down on how to style yourself in it without looking like you just stepped out of the Throwback Thursday post.

The concept of gendered clothing has been one of the biggest shifts in the fashion industry. Dressing in Business-core is an easy way to blend masculine and feminine pieces together for an updated smart casual 'fit. The only essential piece for this is a collared white shirt. Pair it with an oversized blazer and mini skirt, accessorise with a classic tie and give the look a laidback feel by styling your white shirt untucked. Another way to get the updated smart casual look is by pairing a cropped blazer with a pair of boyfriend or relaxed-fit jeans.

The update to smart casual has introduced streetwear elements into it to evoke the spirit of 9 to 5 attire without it seeming like you just came from a business meeting. The tie and collared shirt combo is still the key part. However, pairing it with a trucker jacket or shacket gives a cooler feel to the trend. For bottoms, you’ll want to go for cargo pants, baggy jeans or utility pants. In the footwear department, opt for loafers with a silver or gold trim on them.