Corporate Life: Trendier than Digital Nomad Life?
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After the reign of digital nomad life and paradise beaches as open spaces, the good old “9 to 5” seems to be making a comeback and trending. Indeed, after several collections inspired by the office environment, office wear is no longer the only glamorous and trendy content in our feeds. The corporate life, as it stands, is the new content that is breaking through and asserting itself this fall. Between outfits, skincare, and routines, reels and mini-vlogs are multiplying to romanticize our days from dawn to dusk. But between wellness rituals and the quest for over-productivity, what are the videos of the #corporategirlies really advocating?
The Corporate Life: Over-productivity or Just Balance?
While the corporate life has often been deemed “boring” in recent years (especially in light of the explosion of digital nomads seeking freedom), the “9 to 5” now seems to want to polish its image by presenting a more trendy and dynamic outlook.
Indeed, in recent months, Instagram reels about corporate life have only been increasing. Their concept: vlogging your day from dawn to dusk and showcasing everything you’ve done. More specifically, everything you’ve done before and after your 9 to 5! Because yes, the very heart of the #corporategirlies trend is to show that days are not just about office hours and that it’s possible to have a fulfilling life outside of work.
However, while the videos can be inspiring and motivating (particularly by providing ideas for routines, activities, and quiet time…), some can quickly fall into a toxic quest for over-productivity.
Often focused on a “everything I did before 9 am” or “everything I did after 5 pm” theme, these videos sometimes compile multiple tasks and activities. A sort of performance quest and time optimization, which could remind one of the “workaholism” pattern – already observed a few years ago on social media and causing some damage (burnout, comparison, low self-esteem…).
Thus, these contents should be viewed with the understanding that a video is merely a romanticized version of daily life and that everyone moves at their own pace.
The Romanticized Corporate Life, from Dawn to Dusk
Background music, dynamic editing, and time stamps + captions of ongoing actions… Videos showcasing corporate life take the form of mini vlogs, “a day in my life” style, covering a day from dawn to dusk, or just a part of it.
Simple to create and effective, their recipe consists more or less of the same ingredients. While some video creators aim for an even more precise niche by emphasizing the city in which they work. For example: “everything I did after my 9 to 5 in London”. Thus, the proposed immersion can further pique curiosity.
Beyond the numerous hashtags and keywords associated with it, let’s explore the elements unique to this trend.
#corporatefashion and #officeoutfit at the Heart of the Format
The corporate life is inseparably linked to #corporatefashion / #corporatestyle. Understand, looks designed for the office that are both elegant and professional. We see pieces that play with traditional and old-school office wear codes, while allowing for small modern touches.
Think tailored suits, pieces embodying quiet luxury or old money, blazers, oxford shirts, loafers, ankle boots… With a trench or blazer for the commute. For bags, we opt for a leather handbag like the Margaux from The Row or a clip backpack. All come together to create a cohesive aesthetic.
And the whole certainly deserves an outfit check in the mirror of the elevator or that of the first-floor restroom!
Between Routines and Moments of Spontaneity Outside the “9 to 5”
As previously mentioned, videos about corporate life focus more on what happens outside the office. A small recap of the “9 to 5” summarizes to clocking in, emptying one’s bag, having a snack break between meetings, then packing up, clocking out, and leaving. However, some lunch breaks provide the opportunity to film a mini shopping spree!
Attention is more on the before and after office time to showcase one’s routine. Notably, skincare and wellness rituals, workout breaks, as well as quiet moments for reading, watching films and series, journaling, or preparing a meal… The videos also highlight spontaneous activities that can slip into the schedule. Such as an impromptu happy hour, an art gallery opening, or dining out with friends…
In essence, it shows that corporate life isn’t as boring as it seems and can even be stylish!
