These Street Style Looks Prove You Can Wear Denim to Work

last updated 2 May 2016

If your workplace has a strict dress code, it's highly likely one of the unspoken but entirely enforced rules is NO DENIM. Not a scrap of it. To be honest, I used to avoid wearing jeans to the office for fear of looking scruffy (and I work in fashion!), but I've realised—as denim has become an increasingly important part of the high-fashion lexicon—there are grown-up, super-chic, sophisticated and boardroom-appropriate ways that a girl can introduce jean pieces into her day-to-day wardrobe.

There are two rules you really need to live by:

1. Opt for clean, dark washes. They instantly look crisper and more pulled-together than anything light. You'll also find designers often use these more for tailored denim pieces, so there's a doubly sleek option.

2. Do not allow distressed finishes into the mix. As cool as they are, ripped jeans are more likely to make a bad impression in the boardroom. A subtle, artfully frayed edge here or there won't matter but full knee-baring holes are a step too far.

So we've rounded up some great street style looks to inspire you—and you can shop from them too!

Still searching for workwear inspiration? Check out these excellent 101 office-appropriate buys!

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Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.