We get it—you’re a bit confused about the whole white jeans thing. Are they business casual? Or are they something else?
If you’re like us, you’ve probably answered yes to both of those questions. And that’s because sometimes, the answer really depends on who you are and what your workplace culture is like.
But let’s talk about when it’s more appropriate to wear white jeans in a work setting.
What is business casual defined as?
Business casual is a term that gets thrown around a lot, and it can be hard to understand what it means.
It’s all about the level of formality you want to bring into an office environment. The term “business casual” is used to describe clothing that’s not as formal as a suit or dress, but still looks professional.
Typically, business casual clothes include slacks, chinos or khakis, button-up shirts or polos, and maybe even sweaters or blazers. The dress code is more relaxed than formal wear, but still has some structure.
Business casual attire is appropriate for most offices and environments where you’re dressed up for work without being in a suit and tie. Some jobs require this type of style (like lawyers), while others don’t (like social workers).
Are white jeans considered business casual?
White jeans are a divisive topic of conversation. While some people believe that they’re business casual and others think they’re too casual to wear in the office, the truth is that it’s all about how you wear them.
If you’re wearing white jeans with a dress shirt, blazer, and loafers—or even a button-down shirt and loafer combo—you’ll look more formal than if you were wearing black pants with the same top. So if you want to wear white jeans at work, make sure they’re paired with an equally sharp top!
On the other hand, white jeans can absolutely be worn in more casual environments.
A pair of white denim looks great with a long-sleeved tee or button-down and sneakers or boat shoes for a day out on the town with friends or family members!
If you live in a warm climate where shorts are acceptable year-round for men (and sometimes women), then of course feel free to rock your white denim there as well!
5 tips for wearing white jeans in the office
White jeans are a wardrobe staple. They’re versatile, they make you look cool, and they can be worn with almost anything. But if you’re not careful, white jeans can also make you look like a fool.
We’ve got five tips for making sure your white jeans don’t ruin your reputation at work:
1) Keep them clean! It’s hard to keep white jeans looking fresh for long, so if you want to wear them often, consider investing in an extra pair or two (or three) of the same color. They’ll last longer that way—and it will be easier for you to coordinate outfits based on them!
2) Keep the rest of your outfit simple. If you have too many patterns going on at once, it’ll be hard for people to focus on your pants alone. Stick with stripes at most—nothing too busy or colorful here!
3) Don’t wear them with black shoes unless absolutely necessary! Black shoes tend to dull the sheen of white denim and make them look dingy quickly, so stick with brown or tan if possible—and definitely avoid navy blue or red as well!
4) Don’t pair them with a white shirt. You might think this is a good idea because it makes it easy for people to see your new pants, but the combination is just too bold. Instead, try wearing a colored top or something patterned (but not busy!) instead.
5 )Don’t wear them with a sports jacket. Unless you’re trying to look like Nick Nolte circa 1992, this is just not the right combination. Instead, try pairing them with a casual button-down or polo shirt instead.
Final words
So what do you think? Are white jeans business casual? Do you wear them to work? Let us know in the comments!
Hey there! I’m Sophia, and I’m the co-founder of this website. I’ve been a lifelong fashion enthusiast and have spent most of my time working in the industry as a fashion stylist. My goal is to create a space where we can all come together and celebrate everything that makes us who we are: our individual styles. I’m excited to bring you this digital community, where we can share our stories, insights, and experiences with each other—and learn new things along the way!