The search for work-appropriate denim

10/16/2015

I admire anyone wearing denim to work--from faded to dark rinses to colored jeans. Denim conveys a sense of youthfulness & fun.

Some workplaces encourage a casual, hip style while others require more standard business attire.

Truly I think almost anyone can wear denim at work as long as you wear appropriate shoes & feel at ease with it.

For me to feel comfortable in denim at work, I have these requirements:
1. The denim has to be a dark rinse, gray, black, or a color.
2. Ideally it's a skirt or dressy jean style.

Here's my search for denim options for the workplace...

I started off by searching for the perfect denim skirt, not too short, not too frumpy.

I splurged a little & tried this Garnet Hill skirt since I thought I'd wear it so much. Once it arrived, I tried it with several tops & different shoes, but in the end, it just felt awkward to me--I returned it. (In the skirt's defense, if I pay full-price for something, there's a good chance I'll be returning it. I just expect too much from it.)

Garnet Hill Asymmetrical Denim Pencil Skirt, $78 minus 25%

I gave up on denim skirts after the failed GH attempt & went back to trouser or dark denim jeans. In the interest of a professional look for the office, I wanted a little flair but not too wide a leg & not a skinny jean.

I tried these on in store, but they were too long on me. They didn't look like they did on the model; they were much more curvy & not quite right for me.

The Limited 678 Fit & Flare Trouser Jeans, $79.95 minus $15 (also buy one, get one 50% off)

This pair arrived this week, &, for a change, they're the right length in regular. I'm not 100% in love with them, but I'm blaming my body rather than the jean :)

Banana Republic Factory Slim-Fit Boot-Cut Jean, $41

Me in the BR jeans to the left. I paid about $36 for them after discount.

These are a great buy (but how can jeans be final sale??), but they're 34" length--way too long for me! Hard to know if it'd be worth having them taken up.