Have you ever gone shopping and thought, “Mmm, that skirt screams recession”? Me neither – but apparently, it does.

One of the first people to bring this up in SEED CLUB was Antònia Folguera, who shared that her grandma – who used to be a seamstress – would always say, “In times of recession, skirts get longer.” 

This idea actually has a name: the Hemline Index. It’s been around since the Great Depression and suggests that skirt lengths reflect the economy – shorter in boom times, longer in downturns. Its accuracy is up for debate, but it’s undeniably a fascinating lens on fashion and finance. 

Fast-forward to 2025: office fashion is back. It’s all about versatility – finding a dress that works for both the office as well as a night out with friends. Search “Office Siren” on TikTok or Instagram and you’ll see it everywhere. The look has even hit the runway. As Vogue Business puts it:

“Stella McCartney said the theme of her Autumn/Winter 2025 collection was ‘from laptop to lap dance’. McCartney was making a point about women existing both in the workplace and outside of it. Yet the look on the runway – an ’80s Working Girl meets 2020s oversized blazer-wearing millennial – revived the same ‘business casual to the club’ style from 15 years ago.”