How to Wear Jeans to Work

If your job allows you to wear jeans, they often want you to remain somewhat professional with your other attire. Despite the casual appearance of jeans, you still have accessories and blouses to look put together. There are some general rules about wearing jeans to work to maintain a sleek and maintained appearance:

Proper fit (not too baggy or long)

Darker denim

Tailored and unripped

Keep in mind wearing certain trends may not be appropriate for work. The skinny jean, which is form-fitting and tapered at the ankle is often too revealing for the professional world because of the tight fit. If you work at a retail store or laid back environment, skinny jeans may be acceptable so always be sure to understand the dress code. Other types of jeans that are inappropriate for an office setting include colored denims, jeans that are torn or ripped around the cuff and baggy styles. Jeans that have jeweled detailing or busy seam work on the pockets are often not appropriate for work. Choose jeans with a simple design, and either look for pockets with little embellishment or flapped pockets.

To keep jeans looking their best on you, have a tailor hem them. Hemming jeans keeps them from dragging on the floor and tearing and also create the appearance of a slimmer leg. When wearing jeans to work, pair a dark wash denim with heels to stay casual, and find high-waisted styles to prevent revealing too much skin when bending over or reaching up.

The most flattering fit of jeans on most people is straight-legged. Keeping the leg straight slims the appearance while still offering movement. If you have wider hips, jeans with a slight flare at the hem are flattering as they balance out width on top.

Pair jeans with a blouse or sweater throughout the year, and during warmer months wear dressy tank tops or sleeveless blouses. To keep a professional look, pair a blouse or tank top with a blazer and heels. There are plenty of blouse options to wear with jeans to work, and when wearing a blazer you can choose more feminine items like a camisole.

Don't forget to add accessories to your outfit. Necklaces and chunky bracelets keep the look classy, but casual. Finally, pair boots or heels with jeans in a more professional setting, or choose a pair of flats in a casual setting. Sandals and flip-flops are usually not office attire, since they look more like weekend wear.