Manly Monday ep. 01 Jeans: When are they appropriate? When are they not?

4:18 PM


Alright, my goal with this post is to help you be more classy.  I want to assist you in dressing well but we're not focussing on dressing up, this guide is not for formal events!  Jeans are not for formal events and you shouldn't assume that just because a musical artist wore jeans to an award show that you can wear jeans to a wedding unless that wedding is western themed and the invitation encourages you to wear jeans.

First of all, let's cover when jeans are appropriate...
  • At work- that is, if your boss wears jeans.  If your boss doesn't wear jeans, you should probably assume it isn't appropriate.  It doesn't matter what the age difference in your office is, unless you work in retail and can wear jeans that your workplace sells, I would be cautious and not wear jeans to work.  If your boss rolls in on a Monday wearing Levi's 505's, then try jeans.  If you're not accustomed to casual workwear, transition from slacks to denim starting with a gray, black, or dark indigo wash in a slim fit.  If you're not sure about fit, let me know in a comment.
  • On a date- you can really dress jeans up or down.  If you don't want to invest in several pairs in many washes, you should get a dark pair.  They are the perfect compromise between ultra casual and almost-formal.  To expand your wardrobe, add a light washed pair and a black pair.  If you want to make sure you're not underdressed, wear a henley or a well-fitting button down and nice, clean sneakers or boots.  Avoid wearing shiny dress shoes or driving shoes, neither of those pairs well with jeans.
  • Almost any time- if it doesn't even occur to you to question whether you should wear jeans or not, then you can probably wear jeans!  Grocery shopping, hanging out with your friends, or just seeing where the day takes you are all great for a standard pair of jeans.  

Keep in mind, being overdressed leaves a better impression than being underdressed.  When in doubt, don't wear jeans, especially to these occasions...



  • A job interview or conference- Unless you've been told to wear jeans, I recommend wearing slacks or a suit, or if you're interviewing somewhere with a casual dress code you could even wear another casual pant that isn't denim, like corduroy or chinos.  Also, wearing a polo shirt and jeans does not equal weekend business wear.    
  • A dinner party- Wearing jeans communicates little respect for the person who has invited you into their home.  If it is a very formal dinner party, that information should be stated on the invitation.  If you know this is a casual occasion, this is another chance to wear a nicer pant.  I love seeing a guy pull off a nice mustard or olive pant in the summer and autumn months, they're still casual and comfortable but look like you put a little extra effort in your outfit.
  • Hiking or camping- Normally I wouldn't recommend cargo pants instead of jeans but if you're going to be hiking or camping, you really need to wear appropriate clothing.  Jeans are inappropriate because they do not insulate your body for cooler temperatures, and they don't breathe enough for warmer temperatures.  Wearing jeans also risks all sorts of chafing, so avoid that altogether and invest in a decent pair of hiking pants with cargo pockets.  Keep in mind that while cargo pants are generally considered unstylish, they're very useful in the outdoors.  Good for camping, bad for streetwear.
  • Funerals or religious holidays-  Whether it's a somber event or a big celebration, you shouldn't wear jeans to church or to a wake.  When your outfit is elevated, you're honoring whatever it is you're participating in and events in this category demand honor and respect.  Not to mention, you look sloppy and unprepared when you arrive underdressed to Christmas.  Generations to come will see the photos your mom/grandma/sister/aunt took at Christmas dinner and if you are the only one wearing jeans and a t shirt, that will stand out.  

Remember to keep your task in mind, if jeans will be uncomfortable, skip them.  You don't want to appear to be unprepared, and knowing what to wear to what event will help you to develop your personal style.  When you're in doubt about what you should wear to an event, text the person who invited you, or the person organizing the event.  There's no reason to be embarrassed about inquiring about the dress code, if nothing else, it will show that you cared.  In the middle of an era of casual in the US, it's great to see people putting forth the extra effort.  

I'll be posting on Manly Monday again next week!  If you have any questions or comments, please leave them down below!  I'd love to hear from you, especially if there's something you'd like me to cover for a Manly Monday.  









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