You know, professional doesn’t have to mean boring. I have had a long history of fighting society’s idea of what professionalism looks like. Are jeans professional? What about a pencil skirt? How short can that pencil skirt be? Long skirt? Skirts at all?!? The fact of the matter is, what is considered “professional dress” is in flux.

Note: As with anything on my blog, this post represents my personal opinion. You are welcome to disagree with me but I would ask that you keep any responses to this post civil.

“Professional Dress” in High School

In no place has “professional dress” defied interpretation the most as in the High School environment. Female students show up to formal presentations in tiny, bodycon skirts and towering heels. It’s not so much that I fear for their morals as much as the effectiveness of their presentation. One false step and not only could there be serious injury, but the entire class would see what was not-so-carefully-concealed.

Ok, I hear you fellow feminists crying foul! I’m all about having what you wear give you confidence (or not being defined by what you wear), but I also believe that what should be memorable from a presentation is not what a person is wearing (or how sexy they look), but what that person presents and how they support what they know. A tight, short skirt is both constricting (making movement dangerous) and draws attention away from the argument itself. Young women, however, are not the only ones in High School who don’t quite grasp “professional dress.”

Throughout my teaching career I would have conversations with young men the day before a presentation where they would stare at me incomprehensibly when I explained, again, why shorts wouldn’t cut it for “professional dress.” In some circles, I had to add “jeans” to the list of banned clothing too, if the rules of the department or school insisted.

You see, some schools have their own policies of what is considered “professional dress.” For instance, one High School where I worked had a no-jeans policy for teachers. Are jeans professional enough? Apparently not there (though, to my great annoyance, garishly patterned leggings passed muster). So clearly, if jeans weren’t “professional dress” for teachers, then I couldn’t very well allow the boys (or girls) to wear jeans for their presentations. (“But Mrs. Evans! I don’t even own pants that aren’t jeans!”)

Clearly, the students needed help knowing what “professional dress” included. So, last year I actually had to visually define it for my students. (See those two slides from the presentation below, if you’re interested!)

Attempting to set some standards

So really…what is considered professional? At this point, I think it’s fair to say that it is determined by the standards of your organization. However, I would like to advocate for jeans and over-the-knee-boots to be considered casually professional. (Yes, high school boys…I’m with you on the jeans to a certain extent.) I believe that it’s all in the way that you wear those two items.

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Now…I see there being a formula to this madness:

Jeans + a t-shirt = not professional on their own (in my world). However, Jeans + a t-shirt + a blazer over the top…👌 Jeans + a t-shirt + a designer belt + fashionable pumps….✔ for casual professional dress.

What about over-the-knee boots? Short skirt + OTK boots = not professional in my world. Tight dress + OTK boots…probably not. However, midi dress + OTK boots…probably ok. Pencil skirt + OTK boots + long cardigan = 👌 Any type of skinny jean + OTK boots + long tunic or cardigan = ✔

I believe that the key to making these items professional is to pair them with other, unarguably professional pieces. As in this outfit, a blazer adds a sense of professionalism to any outfit. You don’t need to pair it with matching slacks or a pencil skirt to be professional, especially casually professional (which is, I believe, becoming more common in workplaces). Professional doesn’t need to be boring! Pair your blazer with jeans and some classy pumps! Like a blazer, pumps make just about any outfit classy.

Pairing over-the-knee boots or jeans with a long cardigan takes the attention away from the “unprofessional” pieces. So much of the jeans being covered by the OTK boots means that you almost don’t even notice the jeans themselves!

What is considered “professional dress” is in flux, for sure. In some work environments, casual professional dress may not be professional enough and jeans may really not be appropriate. However, I believe that the key to dressing professionally is in the overall look, not the individual pieces. You can be trendy and still professional.

Get the Look:

Black Blazer || Sweater || Skinny Jeans (love these and so affordable!) || Belt – similar – || Black OTK Boots || Bag Set || Earrings || Watch (on sale!)|| Hermes Bracelet Dupe || Cuff Bracelet – similar –

A few notes on these items:

• These otk boots (also worn here and also here) are amazing – the entire top is elastic, which helps them stay up. Also, the block heels are short enough to still be comfortable.
• This bag is one of a set of 7 items, all for under $40! The quality isn’t amazing, but it’s the perfect price for a trendy accent piece. You can see me review it under the “Amazon” tap of my Instagram Highlights. (While you’re there, I would love it if you’d follow me!)
• I got these skinny jeans on Black Friday and I love them. They are always going on sale and comfortable and flattering on my frame. The pockets aren’t my favorite, but I find I can ignore them for the fit and price!

I’m wondering, would jeans cut it at your workplace if paired with a blazer? More than that, what other items would you consider unarguably professional?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Virginia

Linking up with: Style Nudge | Pink Sole | Away from the Blue | I do deClaire | Color and Grace | Pumps & Pushups | Straight A Style | Seeking Sunshine | Mummabstylish | Curly Crafty Mom