Though office dress codes are meant to standardize work attire, they often make dressing yourself far more confusing. I, personally, have spent plenty of mornings staring at my closet, agonizing over the following questions: Loafers or flats? Tapered or wide-leg? Button-down or blouse? And, most daunting of all: Are jeans business casual?
In short, the answer is yes—“particularly, if they are full-length, dark wash, wide-leg and/or fitted,” says Ashley A. Culbreath, PhD, Senior Director of Life Design at Johns Hopkins University and the founder of Mentor Me. In fact, according to her, they’re integral to this style of professional dress.
In a nutshell, business casual attire involves styling polished workwear separates—like blazers, a dress shirt, and button-downs—with more casual pieces, such as sweaters, jeans, and even the odd T-shirt. Culbreath calls it: “a blend of business professional, with a flair for personal style.”
When styled properly, the result is a more laid-back professional look that still feels apropos of an office setting on a casual Friday. “Business casual should look elevated, polished, and well planned, but not like you’re trying too hard,” she tells Glamour.
“What you wear is a way to express your values,” she adds. “Jeans in a business casual setting can show that you’re modern, fresh, aren’t self-important, and when done well can show that you have a sense of style,” which she says is considered “a value-add in many industries.”
In short, jeans quite literally put the “casual” in “business casual.” Read ahead for tips on how to wear the look yourself.
Look for Streamlined Cuts and Dark Washes
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When styling jeans for the office, it all comes down to their wash, cut, and overall design. Culbreath recommends wide-leg styles that have a dark wash (indigo or black—preferably without fading). It’s all about balance: Most loose-fit or straight-leg pair of jeans are appropriate, while extremely baggy or body-hugging skinny jeans are perhaps best saved for the weekend. (Note: These tips also apply if you’re considering wearing jeans to a job interview—a risk, but not necessarily a no.)
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