Is denim ever acceptable for business casual?

Polly (thunalata)

I wear business casual to a school and work part-time in a department where people sometimes wear black denim jeans instead of dressier pants. I am dressier than many of those working there.

I have occasionally worn black skinnies with a long tunic and tall boots so that there is very little of the jeans showing.

Now that it is warmer weather, I also find myself really keen to wear my denim jacket to and from work (but not while I'm there).

I'd be interested to hear what others thought about these and other similar denim-business-casual situations. I'm very happy to be entirely disapproved of!

13 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from amyreh

Louise

Veteran

I find a blue denim jacket 'dressier' than blue denim jeans. I will quite happily wear my denim jacket to work (school based childcare) but not my blue jeans though I do wear black skinny jeans and a tunic. This is just personal choice not sure how it fits in with a proper business casual dress code? x

13 years ago

StacyJo

(website)

Active Member

Great question. Seems like it would be OK given that black denim is worn at your place of work. I'd make sure that the jacket leans toward the tailored side however. I'm not a big fan of denim in the work place, even for casual Fridays, but that's me. Having been in business to business sales for 12 years, it was ingrained in me that with professional dress, you'll never go wrong in case you run into a customer, potential customer or the one that decides to go through with the deal on a casual dress Friday (yes, that happened to me and thankfully I was in my professional attire for another client meeting).

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I'm wearing my dark blue Joe's to work today (no clients, just me). I work for myself in an underdressed city, though.

13 years ago

MsLuna

Veteran

I believe denim, in general is considered "casual" and not business casual. Although I've seen people get away with very dark (black) denim or black chambray shirts and dresses. They could still look quite professional.

13 years ago

Steph

Veteran

I generally don't think that denim is business casual, but the definition does seem to be dependent on an individual office. However, I don't see why it should matter what jacket you wear to and from work if you're not actually wearing it in the office. I worked at a very conservative law firm, and people wore all sorts of jackets into and out of the office. Additionally, I would sometimes change in the office before going out for the night, and would leave wearing something very casual. I never thought twice about that, so I wouldn't think anything of wearing a denim jacket as you have proposed either.

13 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Very helpful, thank you.

StacyJo I think you put your finger on it when you talked about always being ready to see a client/potential client.

The answer to my question is that it depends on whether I would be comfortable in every possible situation. If I can imagine a scenario in which I would feel uncomfortable wearing my denim then I should never wear it. Thank you for helping me to get to grips with that!

13 years ago

Tessera

Active Member

As someone who worked in a conservative environment (litigation law), we had to be court-ready at all times, so no kind of denim would be appropriate. In a less restricted environment, I think whether denim qualifies as business casual depends on the cut and color. Trouser-style jeans, tailored jackets and pencil skirts, all in a dark wash, would qualify; 5-pocket jean-style pants, casual denim jackets and anything in a pale or distressed wash would not. YMMV

13 years ago

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I think very dark trouser jeans, or a dark denim blazer could work. I wouldn't do just a casual denim jacket maybe.

13 years ago

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