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We stirred up quite a bit of controversy last week when one of our readers asked us what to wear to Sunday brunch at her partner's house.
We suggested trouser jeans and a blazer, raising eyebrows and bringing forth vehement disagreement from some of our readers, who insisted that trouser jeans were not appropriate for brunch with the partner.
We then decided to poll everyone to see when, exactly, jeans were appropriate.
As always, the poll is still open, but from the initial results, readers think jeans are appropriate if…:
- You're invited to a barbecue at the boss's house – 79%
- You're in the office on the weekend, working directly with the boss – 72% (We actually gave specific suggestions for this situation a while ago — that post is here)
- You're invited to an outing where activities might take place (boating, golfing) – 66%
- You're traveling for an extended period of time with the boss, and meeting at a non-office space (hotel, restaurant) – 52%
Only 5% said that jeans were never appropriate if you'd be near the boss, and only 1% said that jeans were never appropriate, period.
(Funnily enough, we've been to barbecues at the boss's place where tents were set up and there was a lobster bake on — if it's that kind of barbecue we'd actually recommend wearing trousers or a dress (assuming it's all work people).
We have been procrastinating writing this post all day because we do not like admitting this, but: Fine. You were right, and we were wrong. Hmmn, that's not quite as gracious-sounding as we'd planned. In all seriousness, this is one of the reasons we started the blog — to flesh out the confines of what is and is not appropriate for young, intelligent women in traditionalist professions — and we're so glad to see Corporette turn into a forum for that.
Pictured: 7 For All Mankind® High Rise Flare Trouser Jeans, $189 at Nordstrom.
Some Of Our Latest Favorite Jeans
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!
Zoe
Funnily enough, I’m currently sitting here at my desk in jeans on a Friday. We’re a pretty traditional office, but I’ve noticed that a lot of the partners and other associates wear dark blue or other dark coloured jeans on Fridays (and the head of my department has worn blue jeans all week, but he’s “eccentric”), so I thought I’d give it a try today. I’ve dressed up my top half a little bit more than I usually would, to show I’m not just a slob.
Given that, I’ve just checked the dress code and it says “no blue denim” under Friday business casual. Let’s hope I don’t run into any HR people in the elevator.
Anyway, what the hell’s the difference between olive or stone coloured jeans and very dark blue trouser jeans? I’m making a stand for sensible rules.
Legallyblondemel
I’m glad you addressed this, having stumbled over the same question myself.
I recently felt SO out of place at a professional women’s conference – weekend, casual – where I was the only person in jeans and too casual by a long shot. I work in in-house in a very, very casual environment where anything other than jeans raises suspicion, so I’d figured my (designer, dark) denim and pearls would be fine for a weekend event. Notsomuch . . . it’s Tory Burch shift dresses or similar for me from here on out.
Legallyblondemel´s last blog post..Ask the Pretty, i.e. Fun with Cartier and Tiffany