Client Meeting on "Jeans Day"

[spertia]

I have a meeting on an upcoming Friday in a client's office. I have been there several times in the past, and the office's daily dress code has been "business casual." Most of the men do not wear jackets, and so I am normally a bit more dressed up in a sportcoat, button-down shirt, and nice pants (no tie).

Now, I have just been informed by the client that this meeting will be on Jeans Day. I really can't imagine wearing denim to a client's offices, and my female colleague who will be accompanying me has already confirmed that she will be dressing casually but not wearing jeans. So, what to wear in this case? The same thing I normally do, but without the jacket? I don't want to look sloppy in front of a client, but at the same time, I feel that it might not be well-received if the advice about "jeans day" were not taken into consideration.

 

[PandArts]

I'd stick to a suit unless the client specifically says to wear jeans.

 

[Orange]

I would respectfully disagree with Panda. I would go khaki slacks with a dress shirt and brown shoes since it's still summer. The idea is to dress well but only to the point of fitting in. Any more and you'll stand out which will make the client feel uncomfortable.

 

[R-H]

Hopefully your client is intelligent enough to realize that you may have other meetings that day for which you will need to be dressed appropriately.

Leave the jeans at home.

 

[luftvier]

Originally Posted by PandArts

I'd stick to a suit unless the client specifically says to wear jeans.

+1.

 

[PandArts]

Originally Posted by Orange

I would respectfully disagree with Panda. I would go khaki slacks with a dress shirt and brown shoes since it's still summer. The idea is to dress well but only to the point of fitting in. Any more and you'll stand out which will make the client feel uncomfortable.

Good point.

 

[Thurston]

Originally Posted by R-H

Hopefully your client is intelligent enough to realize that you may have other meetings that day for which you will need to be dressed appropriately.

Leave the jeans at home.

This is a simple and reasonable explanation that will allow you to dress as you deem appropriate without offending anyone.

 

[spertia]

It's an all-day meeting, and so the "other engagements" argument wouldn't work if I were to dress more formally.

To be clear, this office is always business casual, and so I have respected that in the past by not wearing suits when visiting (instead opting for a jacket and trousers). The client has now specifically said, "Please note for our meeting on Friday that it is Jeans Day." Now, I don't plan to go all the way and wear denim, but I do feel that it would be inappropriate to ignore the client's statement and get too dressed up. Where do you draw the line?

 

[Syl]

You aren't part of their company as such you have no obligation to dress to their casual standards. What's the issue?

 

[Orange]

If the client made a point to tell you its jeans day and you disregard it completely, that's just being disrespectful. Now would you really want your client to feel that way?

Stay away from the blazer and dress pants otherwise what I recommended above works too.

 

[jsherman02]

Originally Posted by Orange

If the client made a point to tell you its jeans day and you disregard it completely, that's just being disrespectful. Now would you really want your client to feel that way?

Stay away from the blazer and dress pants otherwise what I recommended above works too.

Totally disagree. I work in the athletic industry and jeans are very common. However, I would stick with a jacket and pants or a nice sweater and pants. Just becuase they wear jeans doesn't mean you should.

I would also not suggest wearing a POWER suit. There is a medium between them, and wearing jeans is not it.

 

[Beta]

Originally Posted by Orange

I would respectfully disagree with Panda. I would go khaki slacks with a dress shirt and brown shoes since it's still summer. The idea is to dress well but only to the point of fitting in. Any more and you'll stand out which will make the client feel uncomfortable.


I second this opinion.

 

[sho'nuff]

just note that dressing in jeans doesnt automatically assume 'sloppy'

 

[constant struggle]

you could wear jeans and a jacket

 

[A Canuker]

Do you have some jeans that might pair well with a sports coat? I'd be iffy about dressing up to much but at the same time you don't want to look like a scruff.

The coat and a good shirt will still present well when sitting down across a desk but the jeans will relax everyone while shaking hands.