How to Style Sophisticated Trouser Jeans to Work
Have you tried trouser jeans for work? If your office environment allows you to wear denim, either on “casual” days or every day, trouser jeans are a must-have in your wardrobe, These sophisticated, wider-leg jeans offer the comfort of denim, with the dressed-up styling and tailored feel of traditional trousers, making them a perfect choice for the workplace. Here are some of my favorite outfit ideas for how to wear trouser jeans to the office so that you can look professional and stylish at work.
Learn which trouser jeans flatter your body shape best.
With a Tailored Blazer
Dark wash, wide leg jeans, such as these affordable denim trousers from Old Navy, are professional for work when paired with a fitted blazer. Choose a well-fitting jacket in black or navy. Look for one that has structured (not slouchy) shoulders and nips in at your natural waist, to highlight your narrowest point. You could add a feminine touch with a printed, silky blouse underneath. Or choose a graphic black and white striped shell, as seen here, and roll up the sleeves of your jacket for an edgier look.
This jeans outfit matches easily with classic black pumps, but you can also play with a colorful pointed heel if you’re in the mood.
With a Peplum Top
On warmer days, keep cool and look fashionable for work in this easy, figure-flattering outfit. Trouser jeans that fit perfectly through the hips and fall straight into wider hems, such as this classic pair from Level 99, are a perfect match for an easy, summery top. The peplum detail on the shirt provides extra tummy coverage — essential after those power lunches you’ll be having — while being stylish enough to take your jeans look up a notch.
A statement necklace is key for balancing this silhouette and drawing attention upward on your body. Choose one that’s large and colorful for a current look. You could wear this jeans outfit with metallic flats, but I also like the confidence of a colorful, pointed high-heel shoe for the office.
With a Cropped Jacket
I love this outfit for its dressed-up take-on jeans dressing for the office. Start with elongating, dark wash trouser jeans, such as this great pair from MiH Jeans. Then add a classic white button-down shirt, topping it with a cropped, feminine jacket in a textured fabric such as tweed, linen, or seersucker (depending on the season). Wear this outfit for presentations, meetings, and interviews when you want to look put together on jeans days.
Wear a chunkier platform heel with this denim look — it has the weight to add balance to your wide-leg pants silhouette.
With a Button-Down Shirt
Here’s a classic, no-fail office outfit that looks put together for casual days at work. You’ll never go wrong when you pair dark wash, trouser style jeans with gently flared hems, such as this pair by Armani, with a crisp, button-down top. For a look that’s conservative enough for meetings with your boss, choose a classic, menswear-style shirt in light blue. Then add your own touches to bring in feminine styles, such as a statement necklace layered over the shirt, a textured leather tote, or beautiful black high-heel pumps.
With a Boyfriend Sweater
This outfit works for the office and is easy to wear after you leave, too. Pair dark wash trouser jeans, such as this Valentino wide-leg denim pants, with an easy pullover in a rich, solid color that commands attention and adds a glow to your complexion — I love this buttery yellow shade. Wear a button-down style shirt under your sweater for layered style, and to provide warmth add a dose of style with a long skinny scarf, draped several times around your neck.
Choose a scarf in a vibrant color to add a glow to your complexion, and draw attention upward on your body.
Tip: To slenderize a fuller figure in this outfit, choose a navy top that closely matches the indigo color of your jeans. This creates an unbroken column of color that creates a slimming overall effect. Choose a dark, solid-colored scarf in black for this outfit (yes, black goes with navy), or try a graphic black-and-white scarf for an eye-catching effect.
With a Peasant Blouse
For a summery look that’s professional while playing up your feminine side, try wearing trouser jeans with a peasant-style blouse. Tailored trouser jeans in a rich indigo wash, such as this wide-leg style by Guess, provide balance for a floaty white top that’s perfect for the warmer months. Keep your office ensemble professional with serious accessories, such as a must-have leather bucket purse, gold cuff bracelet, and high-quality nude platform pumps.
All About Trouser Jeans – A Guide to the Trouser Jean Style
Trouser jeans are a great style for women who want to dress up a bit in jeans. This jeans style is also a little bit of magic, for the way it flatters larger body types as well as slender figures. Personally, I consider comfortable and tailored trousers jeans an essential jeans for wearing to work on denim-friendly days. You can also wear trousers jeans easily for casual occasions when you want to look sophisticated.
Here’s my guide to the trouser jean style, including how these jeans are cut to fit your body, how to pull together outfits with trouser jeans, and which denim brands offer this style at different price points.
What Are Trouser Jeans?
Trouser jeans are made of denim — just like regular jeans — but are designed to mimic traditional trouser styling.
This is a great jeans to wear when you want to look professional at the office when denim is allowed. Trouser jeans are fitted through the hips and rear end, with wide-cut legs and a tailored fit overall. While these jeans are available in different silhouettes, from slim-cut to more relaxed, this sophisticated style typically sits higher on the waist and includes some of the finishing details you’d find on dress pants, such as side-entry pockets, back welt pockets, and unobtrusive stitching.
Who Can Wear Trouser Jeans?
Trouser jeans are universally flattering and look right on any body type. That said, there are variations in trouser jeans depending on the brand and style. You should choose your best trouser jean based on your figure type.
Curvy and size figures will look best in trouser jeans that sit at the natural waistline, with no pleating or pockets on the front. You can also buy a trouser jeans with a tummy control panel built-in, for a smooth front in these pants. Slim and taller women will want to shop for high waist trouser jeans to look right in this style.
Petite women should look for trouser jeans with a lower rise waist.
How Should Trouser Jeans Fit?
Trouser jeans should fit perfectly in the hips and rear, just as with traditional trousers. You want these pants to look tailored and fitted, with no sagging at all in the rear. A well-fitting pair of trouser jeans will also fall straight down from the thigh, gradually widening into a wider hem.
Many trouser jeans have stretch denim fabric to help manage your curves. You don’t want these jeans to be too tight in the thighs, though, so make sure you buy a pair that skims your legs and gives you some room to move.
Where Can You Wear Trouser Jeans?
Trouser jeans are ideal for wearing to the office, especially in a dark wash. These jeans are dressy enough for the workday and much more forgiving to the figure than skinny jeans. They can also look more professional for the office than skinnies, as from a distance they can pass for regular dress pants. Plus, trouser jeans are comfortable enough to wear outside of work, so they make a versatile, budget-friendly addition to your denim wardrobe.
How Should You Style Trouser Jeans?
You can style trouser jeans for work with your favorite office-appropriate separates. I like the look of these jeans with a feminine printed blouse and a tailored blazer for the office. For social occasions, I’m a fan of trouser jeans worn with a fitted, tweed blazer, white tank, and eye-catching pendant necklace, for a look that’s put together and easy to wear. Regarding picking the right shoes to wear with trouser jeans, women with curvier figures will look best in a platform or wedge heel, while petites and slim-hipped women can wear classic high heel pumps with trousers. If you’re tall, try ballet flats for an easy, stylish look in trousers jeans.
If you have a boyish figure and want to try trousers jeans for casual wear, you can choose a vintage or light wash denim to add curviness to your shape. Fuller figures will get the most flattering benefits from dark wash trouser jeans in a clean finish, with no distressing or whiskered details.
What Brands Offer Trouser Jeans?
Many leading denim designers offer trouser jean styles. Check out my favorite trouser jeans for every figure.
Trouser jeans are a great style for women who want to look sophisticated in jeans. Learn about this chic jean style, including how a trouser jean fits your body, how to style trouser jeans for the office and casual and dressy occasions, and what denim brands offer trouser jeans.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
