Business Casual Jeans for Women
It seems to me that workplaces are becoming slightly more casual now than they used to, especially since the pandemic. Does it seem that way to you, too, or am I totally off-base? (I don’t mingle a whole lot with folks that need to dress formally for work!) I’m fortunate that my workplace is on the casual side of business casual, and that means that jeans are fine to wear in the office. I don’t wear highly distressed jeans, but even jeans with a bit of a raw hem are fine.
You may consider jeans to be “hard pants” like I do, but the right pair(s) of jeans will be a staple in your business casual wardrobe (as long as they are comfortable!) because they’re so versatile! If you also work in a business casual office environment, below I rounded up a few pairs of business casual jeans along with eight outfits to help you style them for the office.
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Business Casual Jeans For Women
White Jeans
There’s nothing like a pair of crisp white jeans in the spring and summer! They are the perfect complement to your business casual wardrobe. Over the years, I’ve owned white jeans in various styles: skinny, kick crop, and now wide leg. Pick your favorite denim silhouette and roll with it! White jeans also come in a variety of shades in case stark white isn’t your thing. Try an ivory or bone!
Light Wash Jeans
You may not think of light wash jeans when you think of jeans to wear to work, but you can definitely include light wash jeans in the conversation. Just be sure to opt for a pair without any distressing and with minimal loose threads along the hem. (I love a raw hem but try not to go overboard, especially if I wear those jeans to work. Just trim the long pieces!)
Like white jeans, I’ve owned a variety of light wash jeans in various silhouettes (skinny, kick crop, and wide leg). I’m really into my wide leg jeans right now, but straight leg jeans are a great option for work and easy to style with sandals, flats, and sneakers.
Kick Crop Jeans
This is the one denim type in this list that doesn’t have a color attached to it, which might be silly, but hear me out! I love kick crop jeans because they’re a perfect stepping stone between skinny jeans and wide leg jeans. We know that skinny and straight leg jeans are perfect for a business casual office, and wide leg jeans are now on trend, but don’t forget about the kick crop!
Whether you’re interested in branching out from skinny jeans or just looking for a pair of jeans to liven up your casual work wardrobe, try a pair of kick crop jeans. I always have fun styling them! They come in a variety of washes from all sorts of brands.
Dark Wash Jeans
Dark wash jeans, and specifically dark wash skinny jeans, are a business casual wardrobe workhorse. They are the first pair of jeans I think to wear when I need to put together a dressier outfit, whether for a conference or presentation or other special meeting. A blazer, dark wash jeans, and heels are always a confidence-boosting outfit combination!
Even though I personally find dark wash skinny jeans to be the most versatile silhouette, I currently own a pair of dark wash straight leg jeans that are proving to be equally as wearable and they’re now my go-to pair. You can even dress up a pair of wide leg or flare jeans for work!
Black Skinny Jeans
Black jeans in any silhouette are probably the most popular business casual jean option. Black skinny jeans are staples. Even though skinny jeans may not be “in style” anymore, I truly think, like dark wash skinny jeans, that they won’t ever really go out of style.
Skinny jeans can be easily tucked into boots, and because of that, they’re perfect for the fall/winter months. Black jeans are also the most versatile denim color (and the most annoying if you have cats because of CAT HAIR, but such is life). They go with anything you throw at them!
Business Casual Jeans Outfits
Monochrome Outfit with White Jeans and Sweater Blazer
Let’s kick things off with a pair of white kick crop jeans! White jeans are fun to wear to work in the spring and summer but can be worn all year round with the right styling. Wearing them in a monochrome outfit is one of my favorite ways to style them! Add a textured white top, toss on a heather grey sweater blazer, and finish your business casual outfit with a pair of neutral sandals.
Light Wash Jeans Outfit with Silk Shirt
Like I mentioned earlier, light wash jeans are not typically my first choice of jean when putting together outfits for the office. Something about the color screams “casual attire” to me, which makes them a bit more challenging to style for work. I like play off the light color and pair them with other light-colored tops and blazers. If you’re not sure about wearing raw hem jeans to work, save them for casual Friday!
Skinny Jeans Outfit with Leather Tote Bag
A simple pair of medium-wash jeans can also be worn in a business casual outfit. Like light wash jeans, this color can definitely err on the side of casual compared to darker washes. Create a go-to uniform with your jeans that includes a fun top, easy sandals (or other pair of shoes), and a leather tote bag to make it easy to get out the door in the morning.
Dark Wash Kick Crop Jeans Outfit with Striped Shirt
Kick crop jeans in a dark wash! If you’re over skinny jeans but not ready to jump into wide leg jeans, try straight leg and/or kick crop jeans. They will challenge you to come up with new business casual outfits because the silhouette is different and takes some getting used to. The slight flare at the bottom means these jeans don’t work with every pair of shoe, but they are perfect for sandals, ballet flats, loafers, and heels.
Dark Wash Skinny Jeans Outfit with Cashmere Sweater
You can’t go wrong with a pair of classic dark wash skinny (or straight leg) jeans. They look good with any type of shoe: flat, sandal, heel, boot. The dark indigo color makes them more appropriate than other colors for special events and important meetings or presentations. Dark wash jeans work for a business casual office all year round; in the fall and winter, style yours with a cashmere sweater!
Grey Jeans Outfit with Floral Top and Metallic Flats
More kick crop jeans! These particular jeans are a “slim” kick crop style, so they look more like straight leg jeans than a typical kick crop (which tends to look more like a muted flare jean). A true medium wash grey like this can be dressed up with a floral top, metallic flats, and bold statement earrings for the office. It’s more fun and unexpected compared to a typical dark wash pair of jeans!
Grey Skinny Jeans Outfit with Sweater Blazer and Sneakers
Don’t overlook a great pair of grey or washed black jeans. With the right styling, they’ll fit in among the other pairs of jeans at your workplace! If you’re worried about it, err on the side of a darker grey. I love pairing jeans with blazers (the classic juxtaposition), and the sneakers keep it casual. It’s the perfect comfy-yet-put-together casual work outfit.
Black Jeans Outfit with Brown Accessories
Last but not least: black skinny jeans! Black jeans, like dark wash jeans, can really become the backbone of your business casual wardrobe. A deep black wash make them look less like jeans and more like a pair of work pants, so you can easily style them like you would a pair of trousers. Here, I styled mine with a sweater blazer, striped tee, and cognac brown accessories to tie everything together.