Style Debate: “Business Casual” should include jeans

Business Casual – Include Denim vs. Keep it to Chinos

The case for allowing Denim:  The point of mandating a “Business Casual” wardrobe is to get employees to look professional for each other as well as customers and clients.  Now what looks more professional?  A pair of well kept, dark denim (no distressing or fraying of course) with a trim button up and sport coat… or ballooning pleated khakis and a bold patterned boxy fit “sport shirt” complete with a white crew-neck tee showing underneath?  The days of associating blue jeans with manual labor are long gone.  More often than not, it’s those in a manual labor uniform that look better than business casual employees left to their own devices.

The case for keeping “Business Casual” as is:  Right, but… think of the Pandora’s box that would open if denim became an acceptable part of the business casual wardrobe.  Rob the slob in collections would take it to the extreme and wear jeans just as unfortunate as his khakis.  Look at what happened when Business Casual became the norm.  It was a race to the bottom.  Why wouldn’t that hold true if jeans became acceptable?  Another risk is not knowing how your clients and customers would view you.  Some still do think of jeans as work wear, and certainly not something to be worn when trying to make a good impression.

Would you let jeans be allowed in a Monday – Friday business casual workplace?  Or would you keep it to only on Fridays (or never) as many places operate now?  Leave it all below…