One of the most versatile pieces in any closet are a great pair of black jeans. They can easily be worn for any season. From going out at night with heels and a pretty top to just sneakers and a graphic tee for running errands. But also brunch dates with friends in a cozy cardigan and more. I can’t recommend enough investing in a good pair of black jeans that you love.
For me, it’s my Madewell skinnies with a button front. I also have these slightly lighter black wash jeans from Everlane that are an ankle cut making them great for pairing with Chelsea boots. Another favorite pair in my closet is a more relaxed fit from Everlane that still feels polished when done right.
Since black jeans can easily be a great bottom for business casual looks, I’m sharing several ways to style this closet staple. If you’re able to wear jeans to work, you’ll want to bookmark this post for when you’re in a fashion rut! And first, let’s start with some of my favorite black jeans if you don’t have a pair yet!
How To Wear Black Jeans Business Casual
When styling black jeans for the office, you definitely want to keep a few things in mind. These are a few of my tips to making sure you’re still abiding by dress code and not setting off any HR flags for your attire. And trust me, I know a thing or two about breaking dress codes.
Many of these styling tips for the office can also be applied to a great pair of black faux leather pants. Depending on your office culture, this could definitely be a fun swap to make that’s super on trend right now.
Avoid Any Rips And Tears
When thinking of dressing for a work environment, even if it’s business casual, you’ll want to keep any ripped jeans at home. I’d even try to skip frayed hems but if they’re hard to tell, you can probably get away with it.
Add Business Basics
When putting together business casual looks with a pair of black jeans, try to add very business appropriate pieces. From sweats and tops, to blazers and shoes. These should all be pulled from your standard 9-5 closet to balance things out. This always feels like a smart casual look in my book. It’s a great balance to pair tailored pieces with more casual denim instead of dress pants.
When Dressing Down
If you’re dressing down your black jeans and can get away with a more casual look, you can easily pair your black jeans with a great white tee and blazer. Or even just a simple white button down. Wearing white with black is a classic chic combo and always looks great. Also keep your shoe choice in mind too. If you’re getting super dressed down in your black jeans for business casual, stick to a sleek boot, loafer or ballet flat. Avoid sneakers as they don’t work for business casual ever unless you work in the fashion industry.
Consider The Wash
The goal of wearing black jeans for business casual is to make it feel office appropriate with a touch of casualness. I’d keep in mind the wash of your jeans. Avoid any whiskering or super light washes. I’d even just stick to a dark wash to be on the safe side.
Choose An Office Appropriate Fit
When I think about black jeans for the office, I try to recreate my 9-5 looks. I usually loved a skinny cigarette pant, or a trouser. So try to recreate that with your black jeans too. Skinny, straight leg, bootcut and wide leg are all great. I’d avoid the super relaxed boyfriend fits and anything overly trendy.
Business Casual Outfits with Black Jeans
Black Jeans With A Long Cardigan
A super classic look is to go with a camel and black color combination with a great cardigan. Pair your black jeans with a fitted black top and a long camel cardigan. You can mix up the prints and colors if you like, but black and camel is so classic and always in style. Pair with a low pointed toe heel.
Black Jeans With A Pretty Blouse
Something about brown, black and rust just work and I love it. This is the always stylish Ahn of 9 to 5 chic in the perfect look with black jeans for business casual. Adding a high heel definitely dresses up jeans but this could easily work with a ballet flat too to dress it down a bit.
Black Jeans With A Trendy Blazer And Leopard Heels
Okay so this isn’t super trendy or anything, BUT styling up a white shirt with black jeans is super easy to pull together. Layer on a great blazer for structure and professionalism, and slide on some fun low heels like these leopard ones. The pop of print is always a good idea!
Utility Jacket + A Kitten Heel
A utility jacket is a favorite piece in my closet. And adding it instead of a blazer is a great way to dress down an all black look. It’s definitely casual, so keeping the jeans a true black and adding a kitten heel like these colorblocked ones is a good way to balance this whole look out. Loving this look from Fashion Jackson.
Black Jeans With A Crisp White Button Down And Leather Jacket
A total classic that can work for day, night, anything in between. I feel like you just can’t go wrong with this entire look. These are my Everlane straight jeans that are a bit more of a relaxed fit. But with the right tailoring, they can still work for business casual. Adding my go to black Tamara Mellon pumps, classic white button-down and a leather jacket.
Black Jeans With A Classic Grey Blazer And Loafers
This look feels the most professional to me. You could easily swap these black jeans out with a black trouser and be back to corporate 9-5 dress code. A structured grey blazer, sleek black blouse and classic loafers. A simple and put together look that can also easily be switched out with heels to go out for happy hour cocktails.
Mom Jeans With A Sweater Tank And Blazer
Mom jeans are having a major moment and these Madewell black washed ones are perfect for a business casual look. I styled these with a sweater tank and blazer for a business casual combination that always works. For warmer fall days, wear a pretty heeled sandal, or for cooler temps, a sleek pump works great too. These would also be great with a chunky loafer for something more fashion-forward.
Black Kick-Crop Jeans And A Blazer
Plain black skinny jeans aren’t the only type of denim that works here. Try black kick crop for a fashion forward take. I love these with a great blazer and heel. But also works nicely with loafers or a flat. These kick crop jeans are from J.Crew and I love the black wash of them.
