If you wanted someone to think well of you...

[Anonymous]

I think there is a huge range between jeans and a nice dress.

I would wear a casual non-jean pant (in the 90s, we called them Khakis/Chinos, now they're just stretch pants or something like the Anthropologie Colette) and a nice top.

Everything in stores is hideous right now, but something like this with a slightly nicer top:





Or this without the yellow stripes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't wear jeans to this. Simple dress (no loud patterns/colors or big details like bell sleeves) and flats and minimal jewelry and makeup would be my choice.

Are you Southern?

I'm from the northeast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't wear jeans to this. Simple dress (no loud patterns/colors or big details like bell sleeves) and flats and minimal jewelry and makeup would be my choice.

To a child's doc appt? This thread is so weird.

It doesn't sound like it's a doctors appointment for her kid. She said it's similar to a parent teacher conference or a meeting with a specialist (it sounds like a meeting without the child). OP wants to make a good impression, which tells me she cares about her clothing choices in this setting, and so I personally said I wouldn't wear jeans. While I wouldn't judge someone for wearing jeans, I wouldn't wear it for something like this if "first impressions" were a concern. I am not sure why that read as "weird" to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is perfectly fine to wear jeans to a doctors appointment and PTC, particularly if you planned to wear a blazer and nice shoes. At that point, your clothes would not be in the way of making a good impression.

The people who say jeans are low class or casual see bad jeans or have limited experience.

I know what nice jeans are. I just don't wear them to meetings. It's a personal preference. When people are concerned about appearance, it often makes sense to dress 1 degree nicer rather than be too casual.

I don't care if other people wear jeans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't wear jeans to this. Simple dress (no loud patterns/colors or big details like bell sleeves) and flats and minimal jewelry and makeup would be my choice.

To a child's doc appt? This thread is so weird.

I get the sense it’s related to a child’s neurodiversity / mental health specialist, hence OP’s focus on wanting to be perceived a certain way. If that’s the case, OP’s reaction is the right one because they are correct that the specialist is also evaluating the parent(s) as part of the child’s broader evaluation and care plan.

The kind of person who judges a person for being too casually dressed will judge a person for being too formally dressed, as it suits them. Look at you in your dress pants while your kid suffers. Can’t even wear jeans like a normal person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeans are too casual and read low class/unprofessional.

I always wear black slacks and nice shoes to such appointments. Depending on weather, I usually wear a blouse and blazer. I essentially dress like I would for work. I carry a nice handbag as well.

How old are you?

Jeans are fine. They just have to be the right jeans.

Gen X

Born and raised in affluent part of dc metro area

Jeans scream casual. If you don’t want to look too casual, then you don’t wear jeans. I’ll give white or winter white jeans a pass during summer as long as paired with nice leather shoes and a blazer. And no frayed hem (obviously).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeans are too casual and read low class/unprofessional.

I always wear black slacks and nice shoes to such appointments. Depending on weather, I usually wear a blouse and blazer. I essentially dress like I would for work. I carry a nice handbag as well.

How old are you?

Jeans are fine. They just have to be the right jeans.

Gen X

Born and raised in affluent part of dc metro area

Jeans scream casual. If you don’t want to look too casual, then you don’t wear jeans. I’ll give white or winter white jeans a pass during summer as long as paired with nice leather shoes and a blazer. And no frayed hem (obviously).

You need to branch out. If you think jeans “scream” casual in 2026, the issue is you.

[Anonymous]

I wear athleisure anywhere I can get away with it

[Anonymous]

Jeans are fine if that’s what you have and are comfortable in. Clean, covered. That’s the main thing. No toes, no cleavage, imo no armpits but I know a lot of women disagree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is a huge range between jeans and a nice dress.

I would wear a casual non-jean pant (in the 90s, we called them Khakis/Chinos, now they're just stretch pants or something like the Anthropologie Colette) and a nice top.

Everything in stores is hideous right now, but something like this with a slightly nicer top:





Or this without the yellow stripes

As a millennial SAHM my go-to daily outfit is the black full-length colette’s PP mentioned above or those high waisted crepe wide leg pants that are everywhere with a nice top / tee and belt with minimalist jewelry. If it’s a meeting with a professional like a teacher or something I’ll throw on a slightly oversized loose blazer in a relaxed fabric (like what you’d get at Anthro or Madewell). I avoid any flashy jewelry or bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeans are too casual and read low class/unprofessional.

I always wear black slacks and nice shoes to such appointments. Depending on weather, I usually wear a blouse and blazer. I essentially dress like I would for work. I carry a nice handbag as well.

Jeans are not low class, and who uses terms like slacks and handbag? My mother is literally 80 and she doesn’t talk like this. She also wears jeans (gasp).

Go read one of the countless dcum threads on what it means to be old money, upper class, polished, etc.

ICYMI: some of us were raised a certain way and use certain words. How one expresses themselves speaks volumes on many levels.

Poking fun by insinuating that I am old or uncool says more about you, pp.

Anyway, setting all this aside: if the op wants to be taken seriously, then she should dress the part. I’ve literally changed my clothes and shoes before heading to the ER. Why? Because everyone treats you differently based on your appearance. When I’m the patient advocate, I dress my best.

Nice jeans with leather flats and a blazer are fine. Tattered hem jeans and sneakers foster a power differential.

I've read many, many, many of those threads, which are risible and cringe-inducing. I do agree with you that expressing oneself well is important, which is why I know that you should use "oneself" rather than "themselves" in the bolded sentence above. I'm so embarrassed for you that you used incorrect grammar while chiding me on the importance of communicating correcty.

Look, if you like cosplaying "old money" online, go ahead, but your language belies your claims and no one is impressed by your slacks and handbag. You can stick them up your gold-plated fanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeans are too casual and read low class/unprofessional.

I always wear black slacks and nice shoes to such appointments. Depending on weather, I usually wear a blouse and blazer. I essentially dress like I would for work. I carry a nice handbag as well.

Jeans are not low class, and who uses terms like slacks and handbag? My mother is literally 80 and she doesn’t talk like this. She also wears jeans (gasp).

Go read one of the countless dcum threads on what it means to be old money, upper class, polished, etc.

ICYMI: some of us were raised a certain way and use certain words. How one expresses themselves speaks volumes on many levels.

Poking fun by insinuating that I am old or uncool says more about you, pp.

Anyway, setting all this aside: if the op wants to be taken seriously, then she should dress the part. I’ve literally changed my clothes and shoes before heading to the ER. Why? Because everyone treats you differently based on your appearance. When I’m the patient advocate, I dress my best.

Nice jeans with leather flats and a blazer are fine. Tattered hem jeans and sneakers foster a power differential.

I've read many, many, many of those threads, which are risible and cringe-inducing. I do agree with you that expressing oneself well is important, which is why I know that you should use "oneself" rather than "themselves" in the bolded sentence above. I'm so embarrassed for you that you used incorrect grammar while chiding me on the importance of communicating correcty.

Look, if you like cosplaying "old money" online, go ahead, but your language belies your claims and no one is impressed by your slacks and handbag. You can stick them up your gold-plated fanny.

Let them cosplay. They gave themselves up when they associated being treated better and being taken seriously with how they dress. That told me everything I needed to know about their upbringing and social class vs what they’re saying here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeans are too casual and read low class/unprofessional.

I always wear black slacks and nice shoes to such appointments. Depending on weather, I usually wear a blouse and blazer. I essentially dress like I would for work. I carry a nice handbag as well.

How old are you?

Jeans are fine. They just have to be the right jeans.

Gen X

Born and raised in affluent part of dc metro area

Jeans scream casual. If you don’t want to look too casual, then you don’t wear jeans. I’ll give white or winter white jeans a pass during summer as long as paired with nice leather shoes and a blazer. And no frayed hem (obviously).

You need to branch out. If you think jeans “scream” casual in 2026, the issue is you.

What's casual then? Only sweats and athleisure are left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't wear jeans to this. Simple dress (no loud patterns/colors or big details like bell sleeves) and flats and minimal jewelry and makeup would be my choice.

To a child's doc appt? This thread is so weird.

I get the sense it’s related to a child’s neurodiversity / mental health specialist, hence OP’s focus on wanting to be perceived a certain way. If that’s the case, OP’s reaction is the right one because they are correct that the specialist is also evaluating the parent(s) as part of the child’s broader evaluation and care plan.

What?! I work in health care and the parents’ wardrobe is the last thing in evaluating. I about care what comes out of their mouth and their attentiveness toward their child. I will definitely notice inappropriate or boundary-crossing behavior. But slacks versus jeans - no.

[Anonymous]

Meant ^*the last thing I’m evaluating is their wardrobe

*I do evaluate what comes out of their mouth