# So, Blue Jeans are Inappropriate for the Office, but Leggings and Flip Flops are Just Fine?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [September 16, 2016, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088 "2016-09-16T13:59:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/41 "2016-09-17T00:16:51Z")
> [@lorene](#):
>
> Savers is another great place, if you live in a state that has them. I get a lot for my money there.
The stores we have here that are called Unique, are run by Savers.
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### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/42 "2016-09-17T00:20:51Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#):
>
> One of the most awesome devices we ever purchased that was fully in the category of “it seems like a gimmick” was [the pro-quality Jiffy steamer](https://jiffysteamer.com/steamers/jiffy-personal-clothing-steamer-j2000.html). I bought it ten or fifteen years ago and it has served us faithfully over the years, making ironing fast and painless.
>
> I do catch my wife using a regular iron on things from time to time, but the vast majority of ironing in our home is actually just hanging the garments up and steaming them, just like the employees do at clothing stores.
I agree, this has made life much easier. No need to set up an ironing board, just hang a shirt on a hanger and give it the once over with the steam. It even heats up faster than an iron. Get one now, you will wonder why you ever struggled with an iron.
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### Author:  [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/43 "2016-09-17T00:37:40Z")
> [@moojja](#):
>
> How are jeans more comfortable than pants? I see a lot of preference for jeans over dress pants, but they feel the same to me.
> I don’t bother ironing my dress pants either, just fold them right out of dryer, and it looks good enough. If people are getting away with yoga pants and flip-flops, you don’t need to dry clean your dress pants.
Dress pants require dress shoes. And I’m a shortish gal - dress pants have to be hemmed just right, for the exact heel height you plan to wear with them. Back in the day when I had to dress up for work, I usually chose skirts, dresses and skirt suits because the length didn’t have to be exact, I could wear flats or heels as I saw fit.
Jeans, on the other hand, go well with casual and semi casual shoes. Nowadays my poor feet will only put up with comfortable shoes. My last job was super casual, and if I ever go back to work it will have to be at a place where I can dress super casual as well.
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### Author:  [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/44 "2016-09-17T01:17:19Z")
I work in the entertainment industry, which is supremely casual, though there are limits–a guy in a tank top probably wouldn’t happen, nor would a gal in bikini top and short shorts. Flip flops are common, tights less so but they happen. But let me tell you the most horrifying thing that regularly happens is men wearing sandals. There is nothing grosser than hairy crusty yellow toenail man feet.
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### Author:  [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/45 "2016-09-17T02:04:57Z")
My last Square Job was being an executive editor at a book publisher in midtown Manhattan. In those days the business was about 75% women…today it’s even more female-heavy.
Men were expected to wear suits or jackets with dress slacks, although they got less prissy about ties as the millennium approached.
Women who went “dressy” wore miniskirt suits with hose and high heels. The younger and lower echelons wore low cut tops and tiny skirts with heels, tight leggings without skirts, minidresses with bare legs. Some of the 20 year old girl interns showed up in short-shorts.
Around ten years ago our (male) CEO was exposed as a serial groper and general sex deve who preyed on female employees. I wondered if there was a “secret dress code” he sent out to the women.
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### Author:  [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/46 "2016-09-17T02:51:59Z")
> [@Mavic\_Chen](#):
>
> It’s terrible. in our office it’s
> Men: shirt, tie, trousers, shoes
> Women: Whatever you like
> Drives me mad.
Do you want to be the one to tell a woman that she’s inappropriately dressed?
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### Author:  [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/47 "2016-09-17T03:18:55Z")
> [@elbows](#):
>
> Have you considered approaching someone and inquiring if, perhaps in light of yoga pants and flip flops being acceptable office attire, clean, no rips, no patches, blue jeans could be given a trial run?
NO!!! Then they’d ban yoga pants and, in some cases, that would be a crime against humanity.
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### Author:  [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/48 "2016-09-17T10:46:07Z")
> [@dropzone](#):
>
> NO!!! Then they’d ban yoga pants and, in some cases, that would be a crime against humanity.
but not having to unsee other cases would be worth it.
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### Author:  [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/49 "2016-09-17T13:15:22Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#):
>
> Black yoga pants with a long butt covering blouse or top OK. Skin tight latex work out yoga pants tights in holy shit MY EYES wild patterns and short tops-YECH. But i’ve seen it.
Yes, this. I see lots of resistance to “yoga” pants in general, yet around here, there’ll mostly leggings with tops that go past your butt. Regardless of what fabric it’s made out of, I see nothing wrong with that. Also, flip flops can range from those flat, flimsy things you can get at Walmart for less than a buck, to some high-end kinda that cost close to $50 that have a kitten heel and are so near to sandals that the only way they get classified the way they do is because they’re held on by going between your toes. Not a problem there, in my opinion.
So, OP, could you clarify? If you’ve got young girls looking like they’re clubbing after a day at the beach, then I understand. But if it’s mostly similar to the above, then I’d encourage you to follow suit. It’s a hell of a lot easier (and cheaper in the long run) and it would be one less stressful thing on your plate.
And I second (third?) that removing stuff from the dryer ASAP prevents most ironing. As such, I’ve only ironed a handful of things in probably yep decades.
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### Author:  [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/50 "2016-09-17T16:42:40Z")
I sometimes wear leggings with a long tunic top and, really? It’s like wearing pajamas to work. Soooo comfy, and perfectly work appropriate. I’m all about looking professional, but there’s nothing that says I can’t be comfortable, too.
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### Author:  [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2016, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/51 "2016-09-17T22:41:55Z")
Believe it or not, there was a time in the US when jeans/dungarees were worn by only farm and factory workers - the Levis Strauss & Co. was created to supply rugged pants to fools jumping ship in SF and heading for the gold fields.
And T-shirts (haven’t seen that styling for a while, have you?) were in the same class as canvas pants (originally made from ship’s sail material).
Maybe the “No Jeans” rules hark back to those times (1960’s is when the change occurred).
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### Author:  [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)
#### Post date: [September 18, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/52 "2016-09-18T01:58:03Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#):
>
> I’m not questioning that. I know my employer can tell me what to wear. What I want to know is why no one apparently thinks skin tight leggings are inappropriate for the workplace when they are far more objectionable than blue jeans?
>
> I’m not a prude. Let the girls wear leggings if they want. I just want to know what is so inappropriate about blue jeans?
Because your office is male dominated and ladies in leggings are definitely eye-candy to most of them.
Bob
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### Author:  [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)
#### Post date: [September 18, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/53 "2016-09-18T02:22:21Z")
Where does OP live? If he lives in Hawaii or Florida may explain such casual workplace where wearing shirt and tie you be sweaty in really bad body odor mile away in hot sauna well you walk to your car or from car to the office.
Everyone knows New York city, Washington DC, Paris, London it is shirt and tie every where. In in these cities people know how to dress.
You would never get caught dead ever wearing t-shirt and flip flops on street that alone to a work place or mall. And girl in t-shirt and yoga pants is no no in New York city, Washington DC, Paris, London even on the streets that alone work place or mall.
I would think Las Vegas or Phoenix you would be covered in body sweat being so hot and smell with really bad body odor mile away.That Las Vegas or Phoenix may have more casual workplace than say New York city, Washington DC, Paris, London.
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### Author:  [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)
#### Post date: [September 18, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/54 "2016-09-18T02:33:49Z")
> [@faithfool](#):
>
> Yes, this. I see lots of resistance to “yoga” pants in general, yet around here, there’ll mostly leggings with tops that go past your butt. Regardless of what fabric it’s made out of, I see nothing wrong with that. Also, flip flops can range from those flat, flimsy things you can get at Walmart for less than a buck, to some high-end kinda that cost close to $50 that have a kitten heel and are so near to sandals that the only way they get classified the way they do is because they’re held on by going between your toes. Not a problem there, in my opinion.
>
> So, OP, could you clarify? If you’ve got young girls looking like they’re clubbing after a day at the beach, then I understand. But if it’s mostly similar to the above, then I’d encourage you to follow suit. It’s a hell of a lot easier (and cheaper in the long run) and it would be one less stressful thing on your plate.
>
> And I second (third?) that removing stuff from the dryer ASAP prevents most ironing. As such, I’ve only ironed a handful of things in probably yep decades.
Like I say I think lot dependence on what city you live in and where you from . Some US cities are really casual and other US cities people dress up more.
New York city, Washington DC, Paris, London people dress up more even when they out on street or gone walking or to the store.
Where Hawaii and Florida it is Flip flops, t-shirt, tank top, shorts so on.
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### Author:  [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)
#### Post date: [September 18, 2016, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/55 "2016-09-18T04:36:11Z")
> [@sweat209](#):
>
> Where does OP live? If he lives in Hawaii or Florida may explain such casual workplace where wearing shirt and tie you be sweaty in really bad body odor mile away in hot sauna well you walk to your car or from car to the office.
>
> Everyone knows New York city, Washington DC, Paris, London it is shirt and tie every where. In in these cities people know how to dress.
>
> You would never get caught dead ever wearing t-shirt and flip flops on street that alone to a work place or mall. And girl in t-shirt and yoga pants is no no in New York city, Washington DC, Paris, London even on the streets that alone work place or mall.
> I would think Las Vegas or Phoenix you would be covered in body sweat being so hot and smell with really bad body odor mile away.That Las Vegas or Phoenix may have more casual workplace than say New York city, Washington DC, Paris, London.
You do know that they have AC in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Hawaii and Florida these days, don’t you? 😉
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### Author:  [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)
#### Post date: [September 18, 2016, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/56 "2016-09-18T05:09:10Z")
> [@missred](#):
>
> You do know that they have AC in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Hawaii and Florida these days, don’t you? 😉
No. I’m talking about walking from your home to your car and walking from your car to the office building or store.
By time you get to work your back will be all wet and you will have body odor. I feel sorry for homeless people or people to poor to own car and have take the city bus.
The weather is so bad it feel like hot sauna. Just being out side for two minutes I’m dripping in sweat and can’t wait to get home to have nice cool shower.
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### Author:  [@peptastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peptastic)
#### Post date: [September 18, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/57 "2016-09-18T18:46:13Z")
We had a manager [retired earlier this year] with a crusade to ban capri pants from the office. She never wore anything but leggings, big stretchy tops and flip flops herself. Capri pants look much dressier than her leggings did.
She kept on with complaining about capri pants until they were only allowed on weekends.
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### Author:  [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2016, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/58 "2016-09-19T00:42:34Z")
> [@sweat209](#):
>
> Like I say I think lot dependence on what city you live in and where you from . Some US cities are really casual and other US cities people dress up more.
>
> New York city, Washington DC, Paris, London people dress up more even when they out on street or gone walking or to the store.
>
> Where Hawaii and Florida it is Flip flops, t-shirt, tank top, shorts so on.
Hold on, dude. I’ve lived in NYC forever and am quite familiar with the streets of DC, Paris, and London.
Here and in DC and London I’ve seen many attractive and stylish young ladies walking about with just a thin gauze over their pussies.
Paris, not so much. Prague, even nakeder. Barcelona, just right.
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### Author:  [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/59 "2016-09-19T01:19:02Z")
> [@sweat209](#):
>
> No. I’m talking about walking from your home to your car and walking from your car to the office building or store.
>
> By time you get to work your back will be all wet and you will have body odor. I feel sorry for homeless people or people to poor to own car and have take the city bus.
>
> The weather is so bad it feel like hot sauna. Just being out side for two minutes I’m dripping in sweat and can’t wait to get home to have nice cool shower.
If you perspire that much (especially in the desert cities) between your car and the AC indoors, you have more problems than a dry cleaning bill.
Considering the fashions that I’ve seen in NYC and internationally, methinks you didn’t get around much during your visits there.
P.S. Our cabs and metro transportation are air conditioned too.
---
### Author:  [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-blue-jeans-are-inappropriate-for-the-office-but-leggings-and-flip-flops-are-just-fine/766088/60 "2016-09-19T01:44:13Z")
> [@missred](#):
>
> If you perspire that much (especially in the desert cities) between your car and the AC indoors, you have more problems than a dry cleaning bill.
> Considering the fashions that I’ve seen in NYC and internationally, methinks you didn’t get around much during your visits there.
> P.S. Our cabs and metro transportation are air conditioned too.
I know lot people who moved to Florida and moved back north because they could not take the heat. Florida heat is just dead awful.
You never been to Houston or Miami when your eyeglasses are all fuggy, clothes covered with sweat and that bad sticky feeling. And you just want to jump into that cold shower.
I don’t anyone who lived in Miami who did not shower two times in day some times even more. And if you where out in public you come home and have shower.
Houston, New Orleans and Miami have really high humidity. If you don’t sweat there is some thing wrong with you but than you probably always cold.
Nothing like have nice cool shower after being out side in high humidity.
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