Navigating the balance between professional and relaxed office attire codes can pose a challenge, especially with evolving norms favoring more informal workplace attire.
A trend on Chinese social media involves young employees posting videos of themselves wearing their "casual" clothes to work, taking the concept of casual dress to a new level.
The hashtag "gross outfits at work" is gaining popularity on Chinese social media platforms like Douyin (Chinese TikTok) and Xiaohongshu (similar to Instagram). It showcases young people intentionally wearing disheveled clothes such as sandals with socks, sweatpants, and pajamas while at work, giving the impression that they just rolled out of bed.
The pajama controversy peaked when a user named Kendou S uploaded a video of herself on Douyin, which is akin to China's version of TikTok.
In the posted video, which has garnered more than 75,000 likes and 142,000 shares, an individual not particularly interested in fashion dons a brown sweater resembling coarse, heavy plain-woven fabric. They pair it with plaid pajama pants, a quilted jacket, fluffy slippers, and even a balaclava.
Kendou mentioned that her boss repeatedly referred to her outfits as "gross" and suggested they should better align with the company's image.
In China, where formal attire is prevalent, using pajamas as a fashion statement transcends mere style. It reflects a larger trend known as the "lying flat" movement, where young workers prioritize a relaxed lifestyle over the stressful work culture of the past.
This shift in fashion serves as a response to concerns about slower economic growth and reduced job opportunities. Gen Z workers aim to demonstrate that their attire does not impede their ability to perform effectively at work. They challenge stereotypes linking appearance to productivity in the workplace.