Poll — Are jeans ever appropriate if you’re in a semi-work situation?
Hunting for great jeans for work? As of 2024, our favorites are J.Crew, Veronica Beard, Wit & Wisdom, Levi's, Paige, Madewell, and Topshop — and you might want to check out our recent discussion on how to wear denim trousers!
We seem to be getting a ton of negative feedback on the reader mail question yesterday, wherein we recommended that our reader wear dark trouser jeans to Sunday brunch at the partner's house.
Although she wrote in to clarify her situation, we were still intrigued by the feedback.
As we noted in our original post, the partner could be inviting you to brunch to show you his new boat, or her new horse. He or she may be extraordinarily religious and the minister will attend the brunch. Clients could be in attendance, or possibly future employers; on the flip side, the partner's granddaughter and her best friends could also be in attendance.
{related: tops to wear with jeans to work}
In some of these situations we still think nice denim (like the picture at left) would be entirely appropriate — for others, it would obviously be completely inappropriate.
So we thought we'd take a poll, asking whether jeans would ever be appropriate to wear to a casual, semi-work function.
{related: how to wear jeans to work}
These are obviously just a few situations that we could think of… let's hash this out more in the comments.
Readers, what say you — are jeans ever appropriate if you're in a semi-work situation?
(2020 updated images (blonde woman in rugged area wearing black jeans and a white top) via Stencil.)
I voted yes for all the situations above — but I wouldn’t wear jeans to my boss’s house for a meal including brunch EXCEPT a barbecue (clearly outdoors, very casual), unless s/he’d specified that it was super casual. Trousers and a sweater set, a relaxed skirt w/ sweater or other top, yes, jeans no.
Jeans are just about the most informal statement you can make except sweats, which you obviously wouldn’t do.
The whole dressy jean thing — if it exists — doesn’t exist in the mind of your boss, unless s/he works for a fashion mag or similar.
agree w/ the above: bbq is the ONLY meal at boss’s house i’d wear jeans to. bbq = wouldn’t it be droll if we sat on haybales and ate sticky ribs and corn on the cob with our hands?
I concur with the above. I voted yes to most of the above as well but a BBQ or casual happy hour (as opposed to a cocktail hour) are the only times I would ever jeans to the boss’s house. If it’s a sit down meal or I’m not sure, I’m wearing slacks.
I think it’s a geographical thing, too. In Silicon Valley, we were jeans to the office so why not on other occassions?
I think it would 100% depend on the partner. I have worked with partners who think jeans, dark denim or not, are the devil’s fabric, and others who wear it into the office so long as they’re not in court (some even wear them for client meetings. If I was unsure of the partner’s feelings on denim, I would probably opt for a darker trouser, not denim, but the same sort of fit as shown above.
I agree that the only meal that I would wear jeans to at a partner’s home would be a BBQ — and even then, I would expect it to be warm weather, and would probably opt for a casual skirt. I am far less embarassed if I’m slightly over dressed than if I’m slightly underdressed! If she goes to the brunch and everyone else is wearing jeans, no harm done — wear jeans next time! (This works for nearly all the situations above: the first time, err on the side of overdressing. If the partners is wearing jeans, you’ll know for next time!) Like everything else in BigLaw, take your cues from your colleagues.
On the other hand, in my office, partners wear jeans and sweatshirts (or gym wear!) in the office on the weekend, and if I showed up in trousers and a button down, I probably would literally get laughed at. I knew the dress code for the weekends from observing other associates, but a quick inquiry would have solved the problem, too.
How about an all-day long CLE class at a hotel with other attorneys in your (narrow) practice area. Would jeans be ok? There aren’t any clients there. In fact, the room is full of my competitors. So far, I went to one of these all-day CLE class events and I wore jeans. I was in the minority, though. :( I can see that some people see these events as networking opportunities/ job prospects, but I wasn’t looking for that since I’m a 1st year at the firm. Any thoughts?
I would never wear those jeans you’ve pictured to any function that involves a boss or boss-like figure. Much too flared. Would have to be some kind of boot cut or straight leg style.
I agree with E that it may be geographic thing. In Los Angeles, we can wear jeans to the office on Fridays. Even the partners wear jeans on Fridays. I usually opt for the author’s suggested outfit of dark jeans and a blazer.
I guess when in doubt, err on the side of more formal rather than risk being too casual. You can never go wrong with slacks and a sweater set.
Re: CLEs-I tend to stick with my typical office attire because you never know who you’ll meet and as a young attorney, it’s important to make a good impression in your legal community.
I work in Silicon Valley. Jeans are expected on Fridays, and we give folks guff if they show up in, say, khakis, instead. I used to work at a V3 in NY, and I think I wore jeans to the office once or twice ever, even on weekends, even at the Printer. It simply was unacceptable, even if you were the only person on the floor in on the weekend. Not OK.
Also, Corporette, I don’t know what golf club you belong to, but any golf club worth its salt will not allow any denim, period. That’s like wearing a non-collared shirt or one of the ridiculous “tennis-length” golf skirts that some of the younger LPGA folks wear. Not gonna fly at a true, old-fashioned golf club. I am not saying this policy is fair or right–but for all you non-golfers out there–denim is a serious golf faux pas. Serious. Akin to showing up for a yachting event in heeled, black-soled shoes. Ummm no, you shouldn’t!!!!
Definitely depends on geographical location and practice. I am wearing jeans, a cashmere sweater, and dansko clogs in the office right now. Absolutely acceptable for my type of practice and location. But I bring my dog to the office and can sneak out to ski on a powder day, so to say my office is relaxed is an understatement. I think the best suggestion is do as others do. If I came into the office wearing a suit I would be laughed out of the building if I wasn’t on my way to court. If my friend at a v10 firm in nyc showed up in what I’m wearing and it wasn’t the weekend the same would hold true. If you’re unsure ask around.
With jeans priced from $12.00 for a pair of Wranglers to $200.00 for designer jeans and now designer jean stores are opening up from Las Vegas to New York, looks like they are here to stay. Who would ever think the blue jean would get so popular when Strauss started his business?