What Gen Z Is Actually Wearing to the Office

I still remember the first thing I bought for my very first corporate job. Just days after turning 23 and graduating college, I moved to New York, wandered around SoHo, and bought what I considered the ultimate work bag—the epitome of style, elegance, and professional polish. It was the bag every sharp, sophisticated woman in the media world seemed to carry. Of course, I'm talking about the iconic Goyard tote, albeit the $40 Canal Street version. (No judgement, please. I was a girl without a paycheck!)

To me, it wasn't just a bag—it was a symbol. It was a subtle yet unmistakable message to my new colleagues that I was serious and capable and understood the unspoken language of corporate chic. On my first day in the office, I confidently plopped it down on the desk—never mind the fact that I had picked it up the day before on Canal Street. If anyone noticed, they didn't say a word, or they were too nice to point out the obvious, unmistakable flaws.