Working It Out
Apologies for the less than stellar picture quality; this was a snap-and-dash on my way out the door yesterday morning.
So as part of the ongoing quest for “business-casual-yet-professional” looks, une femme attempts to answer the eternal question: jeans for the Business Casual office, Oui ou Non? Here’s my thinking: the jeans themselves are mostly dark wash, a simple cut with no distressing, and the jacket, shoes and jewelry dress the whole thing up a bit. Answer: a qualified Oui.
Jacket: Talbots navy wool blazer from probably 5 years ago now. This is one of the few menswear-style blazers I still wear, as the fabric is light and soft, and drapes nicely.
Jeans: my new 7’s. Did I mention they are very flattering on?
Top: Eileen Fisher silk jersey long-sleeve tee.
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman ankle boots, in year 5. (Probably my best shoe investment ever based upon cost-per-wear.)
Jewelry: Wendy Brandes Diana necklace, Talbots and Chanel necklaces.
And here’s my Wendy Brandes Tribute Pose:
How do you feel about jeans at the office?
Would you like to see a weekly Working It Out ensemble post?
~
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I too have a pair of dark wash jeans on today. They’re great in the winter in Toronto as they can be washed to get the slush/salt stains off rather than having to go to the dry cleaners.
However my top half could use an upgrade! That jewelry with the jacket makes your look very polished.
I am sure that anything you wear is appropriate :-), You have great style. I would love to see a working it out series. I just don’t love myself in jeans. I do like the NYDJ as much as I am going to like any jeans, they just don’t love me!
Well done–this looks very office-appropriate yet stylish with a hint of edge. I especially like that enough pieces have been in your closet for a few years, which to me gives the overall outfit a kind of credibility it wouldn’t have if they were all recent purchases.
And yes to a possible series!
Great look, jeans but not sloppy casual. Can’t wear them in my workplace, but I think it is perfect for a less structured environment. I agree that integrating older wardrobe pieces is also a brilliant way to “mix-it-up” so to speak. A long-time Talbots girl, I like the blazer with jeans too. Remember the iconic Talbot casual wrap skirt? I see they are popping up again for spring, some styling changes but wraps just the same.
Great idea for a series. These jeans look great on you. I like the jacket too.
Great looking. I love to pair up jeans in a stylish way to make a terrific ensemble!!
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Yes! And, you look fantastic.
I think this look is great!
I am no fashion maven, but in looking at your photo again, I was trying to figure out what I really liked about it. I THINK it’s the combination of the dark jeans and the dark jacket. Even though they are not the same color, the long column of dark color is slenderizing and sophisticated. I think it’s a professional look–especially for a casual office.
Miss Janey thinks Miss Pseu looks FABULOUS.
You look great! Very pulled together.
I love the new jeans! You have inspired me. I work in technology and work out of my home now, but when I worked in an office jeans were very popular, except with the marketing, finance, and sales folks. It’s interesting that it not only depends on the company, but also the department. If one worked in development, it would be considered overdressing to wear anything other than jeans–or shorts (shudder).
I have on jeans right now and I am sitting in my office! I think the dark wash trouser denim is just as nice these days as a trouser. I love your four button blazer. This is a good look for most professional women!
Your jeans are office appropriate because it’s a no fuss dark denim without embelishments. And your choice to pair pair them with a classic jacket and some ‘mean’ pointy toe boots.
Definitely YES to a Working It Out weekly post!
I work in a school and every Friday is “understood” to be jeans day that is IF there is not an all-school mass. Most of the teachers dress up a denim skirt or wear a dark wash trouser jean but one gal (ahem – my age) in the front office wears distressed embellished junior-type jeans almost every day. Sigh.
Love your look, by the way!
hello, I like you in jeans.
Here at My Coalface we have Play Clothes Friday and I am in black skinny jeans today.
I think if you are well groomed (which you are) anything can be Office Appropriate xxx
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You look great–the jeans are fine, and you are looking very svelte!
Great look, Pseu! I like the dark, plain jeans — very professional.
I need to try that “multiple necklace” thing — just got a nice long chain to play with. I’ll let you know how it goes.
A “working it out” series would be great! This post has helped to inspire me to step out a rut I’d gotten into, and it would be great to have the inspiration on a regular basis!
I think you look phenomenal! I think dark jeans can be very office appropriate. I don’t work now, but when I worked at a bank I think dark jeans would have actually looked better than some of the items people wore.
I would love to see a weekly working it out post please!! Think you look wonderful – very chic, smart and appropriate. We are twins with the Chanel necklace Deja – I love to mix mine up with others too. Jeans are fab. X
I think jeans dressed up the way you’ve done is perfectly work appropriate. Unfortunately, despite the fact that my office is technically “business casual,” we have a pretty strict no jeans rule.
Those jeans look so good on you I’m wanting a pair myself. I may have to go try some on.
I love the Wendy B and other necklaces. And the tribute pose 🙂
Ok, is my opinion too :)!
Very chic. In my opinion, jeans can go in any direction! The entire ensemble looks smashing on you!
Woot! The pose! Love it. And you know I’m all about the denim-and-jacket combo. Looking good, lady!
Great outfit. Dark wash jeans are brilliant.
I’m teaching today, and generally it’s a casual policy on Fridays – jeans ok. But as I’m taking my class to the pool for swimming (we walk there), and it’s going to be 30 degrees, jeans didn’t seem like a smart choice. So I’m wearing a knee-length striped cream & navy jersey dress with a khaki shirt (unbuttoned) over the top for modesty and warmth in the airconditioned classroom, and snakeskin sandals … Not going to win any prizes for style, but at least will be comfortable and decent!
Sounds like a good theme series.
I think it’s less the jeans fabric than the style of the pant that makes the difference in whether something is work worthy.
Given that jobs aren’t just dropping off the trees for women of a certain age I want to show each and every day that I like and value my job — and dress to reflect that!
Wonderful outfit, I especially like the layered necklaces. 🙂
Dark wash jeans only in a business casual office. This ensemble looks great on you and I, for one, would love a weekly outfit post.
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Reposting revised comment to say – Jeans in most American law firms? Absolutely prohibited (we’re only just getting permission from the Old Men for no pantyhose in summer and pants on women).
Neat concept, though. Maybe someday.
I am lucky. As a professor who teaches both lecture-seminar and studio classes, I can wear anything I please. My “too low to go” line is: sweats and t-shirts, sneakers. I usually don’t wear suits and blouses (too formal for me anymore) but I do wear dresses/jackets and skirts/ jacket/blouse combos, down to jeans/boots/cashmere sweaters. I have learned that too formal is just as bad as too casual, when dealing with college students.
Pam@over50 – thanks so much. This blazer has been one of the best pieces I’ve ever found at Talbots.
coffeeaddict – thank you. I love a “mean” pointy toe too.
Northmoon – thanks! I’ve always put a lot of faith in the power of a jacket to polish up a look.
Julianne – thank you. You’re very kind. Jeans can be so tricky. NYDJ’s have some really nice options.
Tessa Scoffs – thanks! There’s always one in every office, isn’t there?
materfamilias – thanks so much! That little bit of edge is what I feel I need to keep “classic” from tipping over into “stodgy.” I’ll confess I’m very pleased with myself whenever I find/wear items with some longevity!
Corrine – thanks! I hope Talbots doesn’t abandon their more classic pieces altogether. This jacket has served me very well.
Susan – thanks, and I think doing a series will help me too!
Karena – thank you. I think jeans have become a versatile wardrobe foundation.
Kalee – thanks so much! I think that the key is looking pulled-together. There’s so much that can go wrong with “business casual.”
LPC – merci beaucoup!
Kady – thank you. Our workplace had a “no-denim-except-on-Fridays” rule for a long time, but that pretty much went out the window a few years ago. Can’t say that I mind too much.
K-line – thanks! Hope you’re having a splendid time in NY!!
Susan Tiner – thank you! Wendy also taught me not to be afraid to mix my metals, and for that I’m grateful too.
metscan – thank you very much!
Susan – I really love this jacket with jeans for the very reasons you mention.
Miss Janey – thanks so much!
J.W. – thank you!
Priscilla – thanks. These jeans have my highest recommendation. There are some techie and production people in our building who regularly wear cargo shorts and ratty tees (and often accessorize the ensemble with a skateboard). Such is the work environment these days.
Tiffany – Thank you. Your ensemble sounds just about right for what your day requires.
Kathy – thanks, I’ll do it!
Faux Fuchsia – thanks so much! I agree that grooming and overall neatness makes a big difference. You’ve been keeping up the style amazingly while preggers!
Town and Country Mom – thank you very much!!
Rose AG – I agree about wanting to show an employer that I’m happy to be there. I’ve found that there’s a line, sometimes blurry, between wanting to dress up for work, and dressing too formally. I work in an environment where even the “Suits” don’t wear suits these days, and dressing in too corporate a manner might communicate that I’m out of touch with the company culture, and my staff. It feels like a moving target at times!
Rubiatonta – Thanks! I love layering necklaces, and mixing high/low end and metals. Have fun!
Semi-Expat – thanks so much! I love this necklace, but had been reluctant to wear to work. Mixing it with the others did the trick to give it a fun, edgy feel.
Style Crone – thank you! I agree that jeans can be a wonderful “blank canvas” from which to create a multitude of looks.
WendyB – I don’t know how you do this pose without falling over…I had to lean against the wall a bit because I kept losing my balance!! 😀 Think I need some yoga! Thanks so much!
Terri – I agree. Our office is pretty darn casual. Thank you, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of a weekly “what-I-wore-to-work” post.
Fuji – thank you very much.
Artful Lawyer – I remember one episode of Law & Order where the judge tells a female DA that she has to wear skirts in his courtroom…guess it wasn’t that far from the truth! Glad you can now skip the summer pantyhose.
Pearl – I would think that teaching college students would be a particularly tricky situation. One would want to look current but not like one is trying too hard, and approachable but still authoritative. Sounds like you’ve found a good balance.
Thanks everyone for your kind and thoughtful comments!
The new jeans look amazing on you! What a great buy (and one that shows off your recent healthier lifestyle efforts to perfection!).
You look great in your choices, and the necklaces are very chic.
Dark jeans or denim pencil + jacket (soft or structured) is my go-to for our 1/week explicitly called-out “jeans day”. One foot in the culture, and one in my comfort zone of maintaining *some* polish.
You’ve been very just-the-facts (ma’am!) in your post and comments…but I’d love to know: how did you feeeeel the outfit? Like you had a good balance of all the elements you want? Hope so!
ps “Yes” to a weekly feature
Looks great!
I want your Chanel necklace ….
I’m a big fan of dark trouser-cut jeans, and I think they are appropriate for *almost* any office.
Probably because the trouser-cut is not as revealing as many jeans.
I could probably get away with wearing jeans to my office- but a “hazard” of my public defender job is that I can be called to court last-second–and often am!
So while I can get away without a jacket if I’m called into court unexpectedly, jeans are just going too far.
Luxe Bytes – thanks and :-D. (I’d wanted one for a long time, finally took the plunge last year. The pearls on this one are irregularly shaped, which is why I had to have it.)
Vix – thank you! Our office started out with Casual Friday about 10 years ago, but then when our department was moved to a building that primarily housed production people, every day became casual day. It was hard to tell our people they couldn’t wear jeans when other department heads showed up for work in jeans, and the rank-n-file staff in those groups were wearing cargo shorts! To answer your second question, I felt GREAT in this. Work appropriate but with just that little bit of edge that I need to keep that sparkle in my eye.
Lawyer Doll – There are so many great trouser cut styles available now too. I’m happy to see an alternative to super-skinnies. I understand about the going-to-court aspect, though.
la fourchette – oh la la, merci beaucoup! I’ll be right over.
Snap-and-dash! I love that expression! (Yesterday I went out looking like a bag lady. Today I’m hoping to dash out looking far better… at least making it up to baguette?)
I am anti jeans for the office in general…but I wear them anyway.
I guess that it depends on the type of business one is in. Certainly, if they are dark wash and well cut they can be much more professional and attractive mini skirts and tank tops.
I’m a new follower – and delighted to have found you. I think you rock – and that scarf video series: priceless.
As a further note of appreciation, you’ve received a Stylish Blogger Award over at La Fourchette!
Love the outfit; if one can wear denim in your worplace, such a polished, elegant take!
Denim is “office appropriate” in some settings, in others, depends on level, and in still others, not OK on anyone, as shown by the comments. That’s why a finely-tuned eye like yours is so important.
Big Little Wolf – thanks! Baguette…HAHA!
Belle – for me the Maginot line is distressing, rips, embroidery, etc. I think a clean, dark wash jean works well in my business environment.
Duchesse – thanks so much! I do think an outfit comes together very easily with a good pair of jeans as a starting point. It seems that there are as many definitions of “business casual” as there are businesses sometimes!