Entertainment

The Best Demure and Mindful Office Looks in Business TV Shows

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Sep 13, 2024 / 8696 Views

Evan Walker

Following TikTok trends is the new norm, and the latest one to take over the internet is “very demure”. Considering we are towards the end of Brat summer vibes, the demure aesthetic suitably embraces modesty and mindfulness, just in time for fall. Several celebrities have jumped onto the bandwagon of this trend, including unlikely personalities like Toto Wolff — team principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team. While the F1 paddock may be too cool to be demure, the same cannot be said for the sets of these Business and finance-themed TV shows, which are rife with inspiration for the best demure office aesthetics.

The demure trend caught on after influencer Jools Lebron shared a video about maintaining modesty in the workplace. The internet became obsessed with Lebron’s use of the words “very demure and mindful”, which have now become synonymous with a whole new fashion aesthetic.

How to achieve a demure office look?

The demure trend seeks to infuse more elegance and mindfulness into professional looks. It hints at stepping away from any eye-catching colours or bold prints and opting for more refined and reserved colour combinations that complement the professional setting. From blazers to sweater vests and midi-length skirts, the list is endless when it comes to choosing the right outfits for following the demure trend. Here, we give you some onscreen inspiration that will help you to nail down the demure office aesthetic.

From Kit Harington’s suits and long coats in HBO’s Industry Season 3 to Sarah Snook’s emblematic quiet luxury styles in Succession, where she portrays Shiv Roy, check out the best of demure and mindful workplace fashion.

The best demure office aesthetics spotted in business TV shows

Industry

In the world of finance, it’s the suits that do the talking. In shows like HBO’s Industry, they are an indicator of a character’s distinctive background. While crisp, tailored-to-perfection suits define a strong financial iNFLuence for characters like Eric Tao (Ken Leung), his protégé Harper (Myha’la) who is adapting to new changes in Season 3 dons muted shades. An outfit that is particularly on point with the demure trend is Harper’s cream knit vest and white blouse, both of which exude refinement.

In the case of Kit Harington’s Sir Henry Muck, who is a member of the British aristocracy and also the CEO of a green tech company, the costumes range from royalty-esque suits to more relaxed options in a bid to propagate his quasi-down-to-earth image. From being the King in the North in the widely popular Game of Thrones series to playing a posh member of the British elite, Harington’s demure move of dropping the excess fur coats and battle gear for suits is a welcome change.

Throughout its three seasons, Industry has efficiently celebrated corporate wear. Some memorable looks from the past that blend well with the idea of mindful workplace fashion include the iconic brown suit by Maje, worn by publishing heiress Yasmin Kara-Hanani (Marisa Abela).

Succession

HBO’s Succession is regarded as one of the best drama series to have aired in recent times. Besides its stellar performances and writing, the show also gained popularity for masterfully using fashion as an important storytelling element. Over a year after its series finale that aired in May 2023, the show remains one of the top business TV shows to have nailed workplace fashion — especially womenswear, with Shiv Roy’s enviable wardrobe choices. The billionaire heiress epitomised quiet luxury with her outfit choices, which ranged from summer suits and silk blouses to plaid trousers from top-tier brands like Tom Ford and Max Mara.

Climbing the corporate ladder is no easy task. Shiv’s choices are the perfect example of dressing for success and exuding power while also being mindful of workplace etiquette. Among these choices are form-fitting turtlenecks paired with high-waisted wool pants, certainly a formidable outfit choice for someone eyeing a position in leadership.

Billions

Showtime’s Billions is all about the politics of power and money in the world of New York high finance. As hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (portrayed by Damian Lewis) and District Attorney Chuck Rhoades (portrayed by Paul Giamatti) go head to head in a tense investigation, their contrasting styles further cement their positions of new money vs old money. While Rhoades embraces mindful and no-nonsense three-piece suits, Axelrod’s outfits include hoodies and fleece vests that are synonymous with tech moguls and start-up founders.

However, the show’s biggest style icon is undoubtedly Wendy Rhoades played by Maggie Siff, whose power dressing moves are composed mostly of form-fitting dresses — mainly in black in the earlier seasons. With well-defined jewellery and high-heeled pumps, Wendy’s demure office aesthetic evokes strong feminine energy in the male-dominated industry.

Mad Men

Demure office aesthetic in business tv shows — Jon Hamm’s Don Draper serves as an inspiration for workplace fashion. (Image: IMDB)

While the show is set in the 60s, some of the wardrobe choices of its lead characters still seem perfectly elegant choices for the workplace today. Don Draper’s (Jon Hamm) crisp white shirts from season 1 are never going out of fashion and remain an unfailingly sharp choice for office wear. In the sixth season, Draper’s style gets more experimental as he dons plaid jackets and turtlenecks, all-fitting picks if you are going for a demure but noticeable approach.

Demure office fashion business tv shows — Elisabeth Moss’ Peggy Olson wears classic, form-fitting dresses perfect for the office. (Image: IMDB)

Another character from Mad Men whose demure office aesthetic could serve as an inspiration is Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss). As her character moves up the professional ladder at Sterling Cooper, the advertising agency in which she works, Olson finds a way to assert her power and position through her outfits. A few standout moments include her plaid pantsuit from season 6 and the high collar, form-fitted blue dress which she accessorises with a set of beautiful pearls in season 4.

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber

Silicon Valley’s style of dressing often pervades the wardrobes of the wealthy. Among all the business TV shows, it is Showtime’s Super Pumped: The Battle of Uber that pertinently captures it through Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s choice of outfits as he portrays Uber founder Travis Kalanic. The show, which follows the rise and fall of the ride-share company’s former CEO has him conform to styles synonymous with other famous billionaires like Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Gordon-Levitt’s character opts for plain blue shirts and round-neck cardigans, suitable for smart-casual dressing at work. Devoid of any flashy colours or drama, most of these outfits check the box when it comes to the demure office aesthetic trend.