Some people assume that jeans can only be worn for casual occasions. However, the truth is that you can wear them for both casual and business casual occasions.
As you may already know, business casual is a dress code that falls somewhere between formal and casual. While there’s no universally accepted definition for the term “business casual,” it typically features elements of both casual and formal wear. According to Wikipedia, many white-collar workplaces in the United States and elsewhere have adopted this dress code. But if you’re planning to wear denim jeans for a business casual look, there are a few things you should know.
Go Dark
The golden rule of wearing jeans for a business casual look is to choose dark denim instead of light. Jeans are available in countless colors, the two most of common of which are light blue and indigo. Light blue jeans are perfect for casual attire, but they lack the necessary formality for a business casual appearance. Therefore, it’s recommended that you wear a darker color, such as indigo.
Keep in mind, however, that dark denim colors may fade over time. Even if your jeans were originally indigo when you first purchased them, they may have faded to a lighter off-blue color after months or years of use. In this instance, you should either invest in a new pair of darker jeans or dye your existing jeans a darker color. Regardless, you should only wear dark denim when attempting to achieve a business casual look.
Wear a Dress Shirt
If you’re going to wear jeans as part of a business casual outfit, you should compliment it with a dress shirt. In other words, don’t wear a white t-shirt and jeans to the office. Jeans are perfectly fine for business casual attire, but only if you wear them with the right shirt. Because jeans themselves are somewhat casual, you shouldn’t wear them with a casual shirt or top. The combination of casual on casual will leave you looking underdressed. Instead, consider wearing a button-up dress shirt with jeans. This will create a more formal appearance that’s perfect for business casual attire.
Avoid Distressed Denim
You should also avoid wearing distressed denim jeans as part of a business casual look. Distressed denim is characterized by frayed hems, frayed seams, fading and even torn fabric to create the appearance of aged, worn-in jeans. Some people prefer this style because of its unique appearance. While there’s nothing necessarily wrong with distressed denim, it’s generally too casual for business casual attire.
Get the Right Fit
Don’t underestimate the importance of wearing the right size jeans. If they are too big, they’ll look baggy and awkward. On the other hand, if they are too small, they’ll restrict your ability to move while also looking funny. Finding jeans in a specific size isn’t always easy, however. Most retail stores sell jeans in fixed sizes, which may or may not fit. Thankfully, we make the process a little easier by offering custom sizing on all denim jeans at no additional charge. When ordering your jeans here at MakeYourOwnJeans, you’ll have the option to specify your body measurements. You tell us your size, and we’ll create the perfect pair of jeans designed specifically for you.
Wear a Sports Coat or Blazer
Men should wear either a sports coat or blazer to achieve an appropriate business casual appearance. So, what’s wrong with wearing a suit jacket? We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that suit jackets are the most formal style of outerwear. They are typically sold with matching trousers; thus, offering the perfect choice of outerwear for formal attire. For business casual, however, you should wear either a sports coat or blazer, both of which are less formal than their suit jacket counterpart. With that said, blazers are more formal than sports coats. They are typically designed with an emphasis on aesthetics, making them ideal for business casual attire.
Don’t Forget the Shoes
Neither sneakers nor tennis shoes are appropriate for business casual attire. When dressing for business casual, you must wear formal footwear. This includes but is not limited to oxfords, derbies, monk straps, loafers and chukkas. When choosing shoes for a business casual outfit, consider the color and how it corresponds with the rest of your outfit. If you’re wearing a tan-colored dress shirt, for instance, your shoes should feature a similar tan or brown color to match. But if your outfit contains black, you should avoid wearing tan or brown, as these colors clash with each other. Maintaining cohesion between your shoes and outfit is essential for achieving an appropriate business casual appearance.
Wear a Belt
Of course, you should also wear a belt with your jeans. Assuming you order your jeans here at MakeYourOwnJeans, they should fit your body perfectly. However, this doesn’t mean you should skip the belt when getting dressed for business casual. On the contrary, a belt is an essential element of a proper and complete business casual outfit.
Watch the Wrinkles
An all-too-common mistake individuals make when dressing for business casual attire is wearing wrinkles clothes. Whether it’s jeans or dress shirt, wrinkled clothes are a serious fashion faux pas and thus should be avoided. There are several solutions available to de-wrinkle your clothes, one of which is to simply place them in the clothes dryer for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a steam iron to smooth out minor wrinkles and creases, assuming
Slim Fit
It’s best to stick with a slim fit when wearing jeans for business casual attire. In other words, avoid wearing loose or relaxed-fit jeans. These styles are typically too casual for an appropriate business casual appearance. Instead, stick with slim-fit jeans. Not only will this help you achieve a more formal appearance, but they’ll also compliment your body by creating the appearance of a slimmer figure.
