Denim at the Office? How to Make One of Spring’s Best Trends Work For You

Denim Patrick Demarchelier
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue, October 2014

We all know that old rule: For fear of looking like a slouch, keep your jeans out of the office. But as with all things swept up in a spring refresh, the way we approach denim and its functionality in our lives is changing—and the timing couldn t be better. In the wake of a more wearable, approachable, and less peacocking-focused take on dressing, a flock of season-perfect denim pieces came down the spring runways, with styles shying away from the usual weekend-heavy wear-and-tear and geared up towards polish, whether as neatly tailored sheath dresses and pencil skirts or the glistening bedazzled boyfriend jeans at Dolce Gabbana and raw jumpsuits at Chloé.

What makes outfitting in denim at work especially exciting is the fresh sensation it brings—the simple incorporation of the usual weekendwear into your nine-to-five feels rebellious, utterly easy, and even a tad bit naughty, if you re sneaking a particularly trouser-like pair of jeans in to the mix. (Plus, it opens up a whole new section of your wardrobe.) Fit, performance, and fashion are the name of the game, and this spring we have several heavy hitters that we plan to keep on equally heavy rotation.

Here, a slew of season-perfect denim to wear to the office and beyond that s high on livability, cool, and classic professionalism—we promise, nobody will think you’re lost on your way to casual Friday.

This image may contain Pants Clothing Apparel Home Decor Jeans Denim Sleeve Long Sleeve Coat Linen and Human
Topshop Moto D ring shirtdress, $75; nordstrom.com; A.P.C. Nancy denim dress, $340; mytheresa.comPhoto: (From left) Courtesy of Nordstrom; Courtesy of mytheresa.com
Denim Steven Meisel

Denim Steven Meisel

Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, November 2003
This image may contain Clothing Apparel Pants Denim and Jeans
Mother high-waisted wide-leg jeans in white, $275; stylebop.com; Citizens of Humanity Faye wide-leg jeans, $422; mytheresa.com; Michael Michael Kors wide-leg jeans, $171; tessabit.com; J Brand Eva high-rise wide-leg jeans, $228; matchesfashion.comPhoto: (From left) Courtesy of Stylebop.com; Courtesy of mytheresa.com; Courtesy of tessabit.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com
Denim David Sims

Denim David Sims

Photographed by David Sims, Vogue, January 2011
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Topshop moto quilted denim jacket, $125; nordstrom.comPhoto: Courtesy of Topshop
Denim Jacob Stutton

Denim Jacob Stutton

Photographed by Jacob Stutton, Vogue, August 2010
Image may contain Clothing Apparel Pants Denim and Jeans
Madewell High Riser Skinny Skinny-Cut Edge jeans, $128; nordstrom.com; Dickins Jones pedal pusher, $74; houseoffraser.co.ukPhoto: (From left) Courtesy of Nordstrom; Courtesy of houseoffraser.co.uk
Denim Steven Meisel

Denim Steven Meisel

Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, February 2005
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Muveil Strawberry-embroidered denim skirt, $178; matchesfashion.com; Tomas Maier denim pencil skirt, $290; net-a-porter.com; Balenciaga denim pencil skirt, $462; alducadaosta.comPhoto: (From left) Courtesy of matchesfashion.com; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of alducadaosta.com
Denim David Sims

Denim David Sims

Photographed by David Sims, Vogue, May 2011
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Acne Studios Addle denim shirt, $250; otteny.com; E.Tautz Frinton raw denim top, $440; ln-cc.com; Marni structured denim top, $381; farfetch.com; Vince collarless denim top, $230; matchesfashion.comPhoto: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of otteny.com; Courtesy of ln-cc.com; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com
Denim Steven Meisel

Denim Steven Meisel

Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, August 2008
Image may contain Clothing Apparel Home Decor Shirt Long Sleeve Sleeve Linen Blouse Pants Dress Shirt and Human
Burberry Brit denim jacket, $495; nordstrom.com; Tommy Hilfiger white denim jacket, $129; tommy.com; Coach white denim jean jacket, $395; coach.comPhoto:(Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of Nordstrom; Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger; Courtesy of Coach
Denim Arthur Elgort

Denim Arthur Elgort

Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, January 2004
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Proenza Schouler denim skater dress, $691; farfetch.com; Victoria Beckham denim dress, $585; stylebop.com; Preen Line Alabama embroidered denim dress, $620; modaoperandi.comPhoto: (From left) Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of stylebop.com; Courtesy of modaoperandi.com