This story is part of our July 2026 Young Professionals issue. To read the print version, click here.

One of the pleasures of exploring a city is getting a sense of how its residents dress for work. From the crisp black suits of Tokyo to the just-so scarves of Paris and the judiciously edgy getups of Berlin creatives, every place has its own distinct professional uniform, reworked through countless individual interpretations.

So what is Sacramento’s workplace sense of style? How does its rising generation of young professionals dress for the office after coming of age during the work-from-home era? Is the barrier between street style and business style dissolving? These are some of the questions photographer Katy Karns and I sought to answer as we prowled downtown Sacramento in pursuit of the city’s most interesting outfits.

Through all the diverse personal styles and workplace-specific cultures, we noticed a few trends. Though the state capital is no longer as much of the jacket-required city it was in the 20th century — an era still represented by holdout clothiers like De Row & Sharma and Navin’s Custom Tailors — the blazer remains popular with both men and women well into the summer months. These relatively casual jackets are a great way to transition from the Delta breeze-cooled mornings to the bright afternoon sun.

Sacramento’s strong bicycle culture also manifested in some of the workwear we spotted. Bike commuters need clothing that is comfortable enough for cycling — and close-fitting enough not to get caught in any gears or spokes — but presentable enough to not have to change in an office restroom stall. For men, that often meant flexible pants that can be rolled at the cuff or bound in a reflector band; women cyclists might wear knee-length, roomy skirts with accessible pockets.

Want to be part of the city’s evolving fashion sense? Tomorrow morning, try putting on that (work appropriate) item at the back of your closet that you’ve been shy about wearing in the office. Whether it’s a priceless vintage piece, a trendy accessory or just a color you haven’t tried out before, you most likely can pull it off better than you think — and you’ll make Sacramento a little more interesting because of it. To see more street snaps from this ongoing series, follow us on Instagram @comstocksmag.

Jennifer Dumlao Vaughn and Nellie Fitzgerald

Creative director (Vaughn) and executive project manager (Fitzgerald), UC Davis

Vaughn and Fitzerald are two of the most prominent leaders in UC Davis’ award-winning communications team, but you might not guess their rank from their casual style at The Urban Hive. Both of their outfits are mostly thrifted; Fitzgerald got her top and skirt from Crossroads Trading in San Fransisco’s Castro district — “the best Crossroads, for sure,” she said — and Vaughn said everything but her accessories came from thrift and consignment stores. She’s especially proud of her purse, a consignment find by a Los Angeles-based maker.

Chris Baker

Project manager, Community Healthworks

Men may have less flexibility than women when it comes to adapting the professional dress code for summer — knee-length skirts are surely breezier than pants. But Baker’s outfit, with a knit camp shirt and stroll-ready sneakers, shows some ways men can bring summer into the office without resorting to shorts.

Allison Carpio

Brand strategist and web designer, independent

This eye-catching denim set is made by the Colombian brand Sixxta, and Carpio rented it from the subscription service Nuuly. “I love using Nuuly because I can get these bold statement pieces without having to commit to them,” she said.

Jake Cooley

Owner, Sacramento Bodywork

Cooley is a sports massage therapist and drummer with the band Apple Z. Neither job usually requires a suit, but Cooley looks comfortable and effortless in a loose-fitting jacket over tailored pants and a knit shirt. The combination reveals how much high quality fabric and leather can elevate an otherwise simple outfit.

Molly Wanless-Smith

Outreach and events lead, Better Business Bureau of Northern California

Wanless-Smith described the summery outfit she wore to work at The Urban Hive as made up of “mostly old things” from thrift stores. “I don’t like spending a bunch of money on things that don’t appreciate,” she said.

Simran Kaur

Management fellow, Sutter Health

Kaur softens the tone of the bold red suit she wore to the Emerge Summit with casual, summery accents, including a white T-shirt and open-toed sandals. These match with her signature triangle scarf, which adds a touch of whimsy.

Paul Shafer

Public policy manager, California Council for Affordable Housing

There’s a growing tide of young men who are interested in the classic art of putting on a suit, and Shafer is one of them. His knowledge of the color wheel is on display in his pairing of a blue suit and coordinated orange tie and pocket square, not to mention his matching belt and shoes.

Avory Grays

Project communications lead, Child Action

The eternally flattering wrap dress is showing no signs of going out of style, as Grays demonstrated with her Emerge Summit outfit. She pairs voluminous hair with an equally capacious leather bag for a look that’s both balanced and practical.

Rebecca Huval

Registered associate clinical social worker, Sacramento County Office of Education

Huval sewed her own dress, which features a colorful print of a bustling crowd of people and large pockets right in reach of her hands. She plans to launch her own fashion brand soon as a side hustle alongside her work as an elementary school therapist.

Emiliano Rosas

District representative for state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon

Rosas, one of our 2024 Young Professionals, is known for his colorful office attire, such as this checked, double-breasted jacket that brought a whiff of sea breeze to the Emerge Summit.

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