https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 29 May 2026 00:04:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only/page/2#post-695016 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:11:33 +0000 sarah 695016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, Jonesy - I definitely want to see your academic administrative slouchy jeans look. I am really having trouble picturing this. I must say, I'm surprising myself somewhat on this one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only/page/2#post-695010 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:04:03 +0000 catgirl 695010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work for myself, and in a very casual environment, though a dressy profession. I would wear BF jeans to the office if I didn't have clients coming in. Here's one look:</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-boyfriend-jeans-inspired-by-anna-and-marley" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....and-marley</a></p> <p>This was six months ago - as you can see, I was an early adopter! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only/page/2#post-694968 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:31:56 +0000 Jonesy 694968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will have to make sure to post my WIWs of my slouchy jeans that I'll be wearing to work :)!</p> <p>I think the whole "dress like the job you want to have" thing is somewhat different for academics who have tenure. For me, a tenured associate professor who will be taking on an administrative role, the only place I'm heading is full professor. I can guarantee that no one will care about what sort of denim I've worn on meetings days when I am going up for full professor!</p> <p>ETA: I agree that shredded, holey, ripped up jeans are not so professional, but I think that slouchy jeans that are somewhat dark and non-ripped (like yours, Makrame, and mine) are A-OK, at least in the academic settings I've been in. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694963 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:27:29 +0000 Suz 694963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So interesting. </p> <p>Of course I plan to wear my BF jeans to work. </p> <p>But I work at HOME!! </p> <p>I don't think I'd have worn them to teach, when I was teaching. Jeans, yes...but not super faded slouch rolled jeans. </p> <p>So it might depend a bit on the style of your boyfriend as well as on your job. Diana's boyfriend's are slightly darker wash and less baggy overall. So they could work more easily in an academic environment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694958 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:24:09 +0000 Makrame 694958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting thread, for sure.</p> <p>It would not be atypical for men in my type of position to be wearing khaki shorts, sandals and a polo shirt to work in the summer. No casual Fridays here (or maybe every day is casual Friday). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694937 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:05:09 +0000 Echo 694937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unless a person works somewhere exraordinarily casual or in a fashion-forward industry, I cannot see BF jeans being appropriate for work, even on a casual Friday. I also think it depends on your intent in the job you are in. Like someone else mentioned, if you intend to move up at all, I wouldn't even consider them. Dark denim will always come across better and as less questionable than faded and/or distressed (both of which are hallmarks of BF jeans). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694906 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:43:07 +0000 sarah 694906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is SUCH an interesting thread. I recently jumped on the bandwagon and got some BF jeans, and Iove their comfortable slouchiness. But I really don't think I'd be comfortable wearing them to work, and I tend to dress on the casual side. I do wear jeans (not to lecture, except in black or white jeans), but somehow, especially with the baggy crotch and butt, I just don't feel like I could feel comfortable at work in them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694585 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:45:28 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 694585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wouldn't wear rolled jeans to work unless I worked at a fishmongers or a beach restaurant. I think it's the rolling that has the casual, weekend, vacation vibe more than the jeans silhouette per se. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694500 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:36:46 +0000 cciele 694500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oops double post </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694497 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:34:45 +0000 cciele 694497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do think, as others have mentioned, that it all depends on your workplace environment and your comfort level. Also the type of bf jeans. I would wear mine to work with a silk button down and blazer and heels with no problem. Mine are not distressed or faded though. May we see potential outfits? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694480 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:08:24 +0000 DonnaF 694480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My understanding is that BF jeans are generally faded + rolled, or faded + distressed + rolled. I would first ask whether faded jeans are appropriate in the particular workplace, then whether faded + distressed are. I am in my late 50s, which may make me sartorially pretty traditional, so I find them overly casual in all but a few workplaces, but work retreats would be okay. I find non-casual sartorially edgy (but modest) looks much more work appropriate. JMHO. YMMV. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694479 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:08:23 +0000 Gaylene 694479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diana, I totally agree that wearing corporate dress in an academic environment would get me some strange looks. And I agree that, after getting tenure, some the outfits that I've seen on colleagues can rival anything that I've ever seen on a student! (Like one of my colleagues who showed up in his PJs and a ripped suit jacket he had found in a second-hand store. The rest of us were too stunned to look away.) But I think there is a wide range that exists between a corporate suit and that outfit worn by my colleague. </p> <p>My concern, however, is how easily casual dress can turn to inappropriate dress. When I first started teaching at the university in the early 80s, dress pants and a jacket was pretty standard attire for the younger staff. With the advent of casual days, dress codes changed to the point where I now feel totally comfortable wearing dark jeans and a structured cardigan when teaching my grad student seminars. But, even with the move towards more casual wear, younger staff members who interpret this trend too liberally and show up in uber-casual jeans, a tank top, and flipflops don't do themselves any favors. We tenured staff may not say anything, but it often is the subject of comments behind closed doors, with some of the most negative remarks coming from the worst dressers, oddly enough.</p> <p>I've always maintained that, if you are truly brilliant, you'll get the position regardless of your clothing or personal grooming. But, if people are looking for a way to weed out candidates, personal appearance influences the decision process, even if it's not directly articulated. It may not be right, but it happens. That's why I tell my students to think carefully before they start trying to expand the fashion boundaries of their workplace. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694440 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:20:17 +0000 Diana 694440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, that is an interesting point but I'd add that in the academic science world there is a sort of bias against dressing too well or too formally. It seems to signal some sort of corporate or businessy vibe that doesn't seem to go over very well in academia. I'd say that the overwhelming majority of people in the academic departments dress in a casual or smart casual manner, definitely nothing too slick or formal. In that sense, BF jeans might even be a better or more appropriate choice than a suit, for example.</p> <p>I work in an academic department at a medical school that is also surrounded by hospitals (which have both medical and academic departments) and there is definitely a dichotomy between how the doctors dress and how the academics dress, and neither group would want to be caught dead mistaken for the other. Of course it gets tricky when you are in a situation like having to teach medical students....</p> <p>These days, as I am thinking about making the transition from postdoc to faculty, I am trying to build my work appropriate wardrobe not necessarily by adding really formal pieces (like suits or trousers) but more by adding things that look grown up but still approachable if that makes sense (like colored blazers that I would wear with dark jeans and blouses).</p> <p>PS - I find it hard to judge the appropriate level of dressiness sometimes in academic departments because there is the impression that once you get tenure, anything goes. =P Some people get way crazy and eccentric once they have the job security! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694433 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:12:23 +0000 Makrame 694433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, I think you have a very interesting and valid point (especially since I see graduate students in shorts and flip flops half the time, which would not be appropriate attire for most workplaces). I would say that I generally tend to dress on the dressier side of the spectrum for the uber-casual world of academic research labs, which is why I was wondering whether my fashion radar may be off, and I am wrong in thinking that boyfriend jeans signal casual wear. I was thinking of wearing boyfriend jeans with silk blouses or maybe blazers, nothing very casual, but even so I was not sure it would be appropriate.</p> <p>Our animal care department once had to send around an e-mail to remind researchers that wearing Crocs is not equivalent to wearing closed-toe footwear as required by safety rules. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694414 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:55:02 +0000 Gaylene 694414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting reading the responses because my first reaction was an unequivocal NO to boyfriend jeans at work. But, after reading some of the responses, I can see, if you are working in an uber-casual setting, they might be OK under some circumstances. (A statement I still have hard time believing I actually wrote!)</p> <p>Part of my job involves helping students make the transition from classroom to workplace. And, while I do think guidelines can be broken quite successfully by some, I really believe that, for most people, dressing well is a much better career strategy than trying to bend the guidelines in the name of fashion-- especially when it comes to dressing down. Adding traditional work-wear items like blazers and heels to uber-casual, or going-out wear, like distressed and boyfriend jeans, sweat/yoga pants, short-shorts, sequinned micro-minis, flipflops, and the ilk does not transform those garments into office wear. If anything, it adds a weird vibe-- as if you stopped off at work after the hanging out at the beach or a party.</p> <p>Part of my reaction is because I keep hearing from executives and HR people who ask me why students dress so inappropriately at interviews and on the job. My response is that they truly don't think what they are wearing is inappropriate; it's what they always wear and what magazines encourage them to wear to be "in fashion". What my students need to add to those two considerations is "and how is what you are wearing going to be judged by someone who is encountering you for the first time". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694358 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:33:15 +0000 Transcona Shannon 694358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree Sylvie - I think for a work environment, even on a casual day, you need to "dress up" the top half to counter balance the casualness of the lower half. I think it might be an interesting outfit to have the BF jeans on with a button up shirt tucked and belted and a blazer over top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694357 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:31:28 +0000 Sylvie 694357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work in tech-land and I wouldn't wear bf jeans unless I was wearing something formal on top, like a blazer. BF jeans are so casual, that I can't see myself wearing them to work as part of a completely casual outfit. They need to be bumped up to at least smart casual. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694352 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:28:44 +0000 Makrame 694352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great range of responses! I guess my "casualness meter" was not completely off since it sounds like many consider them to be uber-casual.</p> <p>I never wear denim on teaching days (at least when teaching medical students; graduate teaching is a different beast). We have one semester of intense teaching schedule per year, and after it was over, I realized I was so tired of no-denim days, I jumped right into white jeans, colored denim, denim clamdiggers, denim skirts...</p> <p>Shannon, I definitely think it makes a lot of difference to me whether or not they are rolled up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694346 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:24:51 +0000 Transcona Shannon 694346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have two pairs of BF jeans - one regular size that I've hacked two inches off and roll up and then one pair a size up that I have not shortened and am going to wear full length with chunky heels or boots. Do you think the lack of the roll and seeing the underside of the denim would make them more presentable in a work setting? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694338 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:14:42 +0000 Desmo April 694338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fine at my job but I work in publishing in SoCal near the beach--pretty much anything goes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694335 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:10:12 +0000 Anonymous 694335@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have worn mine to work at the university, but I probably wouldn't wear them on days I teach. The anthro department has the full range of casual to dressed up, so I think just about anything would fly here.</p> <p>I distinctly remember when I was here as an undergrad, having a prof teach an archaeological theory class wearing a red Che Guevara t-shirt and black straight leg jeans and leather thong sandals! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694306 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:35:54 +0000 Jonesy 694306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think for an academic setting (depending a bit on your particular one, of course) they are okay. Echoing Diana, I wouldn't wear them to teach, but certainly for other occasions I think they are fine, especially if you pop on a jacket with them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694293 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:19:07 +0000 Anna 694293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The best work wardrobe advice I ever heard was "Dress for the job you WANT rather than the job you have". So if the person in the job you want wears such casual attire, it's a go. If you're happy with the job you have, and your coworkers dress very casually, then it's a go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694285 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:03:51 +0000 Diana 694285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear mine to work but I am a postdoc and not the PI. Still, I think for a "lab day" (as opposed to teaching or admin meeting or something) it would be fine. I'd wear them with a blazer. I think as long as they are a clean wash without holes it would be ok.</p> <p>I am wearing mine at the conference today with my nic and Zoe blazer and am one of the most dressed up here, including all the PIs. So I'd say they are totally acceptable attire for GRCs too! ;). Granted, the most common attire here appears to be cargo shorts and gear sandals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694279 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:47:23 +0000 Kristen 694279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't imagine wearing my BF jeans to work, but I work in a conservative office. Even though we just instituted Jeans Friday, they were very clear that it would still need to be nicer attire on top, and a clean, untorn, nice pair of jeans on the bottom. So I have trouser jeans and bootcuts for work, and my BF and faded jeans for weekends. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694278 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:45:59 +0000 Gaylene 694278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think if you had any contact with the public, I'd put rolled-up, boyfriend jeans in the same category as yoga pants. Unless it was a retail outlet that catered to a very young crowd, I'd wonder what was going on if I walked in from the street, even on a Friday.</p> <p>A few months ago, I had an appointment with my lawyer on Friday afternoon. I walked into the office and started looking around for the receptionist. A girl came towards me, but I thought she was either a client or part of the cleaning staff. Nope, she was the receptionist! Casual Friday, but, really, clamdiggers and a sports bra? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694266 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:10:28 +0000 citygirldc 694266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm currenlty wearing my new bf jeans to work with a striped top and wedge sandals (photo to come later) since it's casual the month for me. I have a jacket/blazer that keep at work for emergency meetings to dress up the outfit, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694242 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:51:11 +0000 Sara L. 694242@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think boyfriend jeans can look good on casual Friday but need to be paired with something a little less casual. I would add that there should probably be little or no distressing on the denim to be work-appropriate. My test for casual outfits is to imagine if I would be uncomfortable if one of my clients stopped by for an unscheduled meeting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694241 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:45:55 +0000 Transcona Shannon 694241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad you asked this Madrame - I'm wondering the same thing. At my work, which is normally business casual attire (sometimes more corporate attire depending on the events of the day) but on Fridays, we have what is called Denim Days. We are allowed to wear jeans as part of a charity event. I've worn bootcuts and skinnies on Denim Days but an unsure if BF is just too casual. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/boyfriend-jeans-for-work-or-for-otgweekends-only#post-694237 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:38:28 +0000 Anonymous 694237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's the underside of the rolled hems actually. It makes them look really cute and beach-y. Less dressy than a hemmed clam, IMO. </p>