Category: Business

Business strategies, industry insights, management, and company news.

Is Claire’s Going Out of Business? The Full 2026 Update

Claire’s is not going out of business completely, but the brand has been through one of the most dramatic restructurings in its history. The company filed for bankruptcy in the United States in 2025, closed every one of its standalone stores in the UK and Ireland, and was rescued in different regions by separate buyers. As of 2026, Claire’s still exists and continues to trade, just in a smaller and very different shape.

The confusion is understandable. Headlines about closures, administration, and job losses have painted a grim picture, and in some countries the familiar high street stores really did vanish. Yet the brand itself was bought and kept alive, and it is even staging a comeback in places where it seemed finished. The story is less about a clean ending and more about survival through reinvention, with different buyers stepping in to save different corners of the business.

Company	Claire’s (Claire’s Accessories)
Founded	1961, Chicago, United States
Headquarters	Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Industry	Jewellery, accessories, and ear piercing
Core customers	Tweens, teens, and young shoppers
2025 event	Filed for bankruptcy in the US in August 2025
North America owner	Ames Watson Capital (from September 2025)
UK standalone stores	All closed by 27 April 2026
UK comeback	Led by Julien Jarjoura from June 2026
Going out of business?	No, but heavily restructured and reshaped

What Actually Happened to Claire’s

The trouble came to a head in August 2025, when Claire’s filed for bankruptcy in the United States. It was the second time in under a decade that the chain had sought bankruptcy protection. Years of shrinking mall traffic, heavy debt, and fierce competition from cheaper online sellers had steadily worn the business down.

Rather than disappearing, the brand was carved up and rescued piece by piece. Different regions ended up under different owners, which is exactly why the company can be closing in one country while reopening in another. That regional split explains most of the mixed messages shoppers have seen.

The North American Rescue

In September 2025, the investment firm Ames Watson Capital completed a deal worth roughly 140 million dollars to buy Claire’s North American business along with its intellectual property. The buyer signalled an intention to keep a meaningful number of stores trading rather than liquidate everything.

For customers in the United States and Canada, this deal was the lifeline. Instead of the feared shutdown of well over a thousand locations, most stores stayed open under new ownership, with the brand’s ear-piercing service remaining a central draw.

The Collapse in the UK and Ireland

Britain and Ireland told a harsher story. The UK arm passed to Modella Capital, but a relaunch under that owner failed, and the business went back into administration in January 2026. This time there was no reprieve for the shops themselves.

By 27 April 2026, every standalone Claire’s store across the UK and Ireland had closed. The shutdown wiped out 154 outlets and around 1,300 jobs, ending more than three decades of the brand on British high streets. For a while, it looked like the end of Claire’s in the country entirely.

Region	2026 Status
United States	Most stores open under Ames Watson
Canada	Operating as part of the North American business
United Kingdom	Standalone stores closed, comeback underway
Ireland	Standalone stores closed
France and parts of Europe	Continued under separate local owners

The Surprise UK Comeback

Just days after the last British shops shut, the story took an unexpected turn. French entrepreneur Julien Jarjoura, who already runs Claire’s stores across several European countries, stepped in with plans to revive the brand on UK high streets.

With the backing of the North American brand owner, Jarjoura secured the UK naming rights, brought on some former executives, and set about reopening around 50 stores. He described the brand as having been left for dead and spoke of bringing it back to life, aiming to open between four and ten new stores every week from June 2026.

His plan involves repositioning the brand away from constant deep discounts and toward what he calls fair pricing, with products ranging from a few pounds up to premium items. He also intends to keep the ear-piercing service that generations of customers associate with Claire’s.

Why Claire’s Struggled in the First Place

The near-collapse did not happen overnight. Several long-running pressures stacked up until the business could no longer carry them:

Steadily falling foot traffic as shoppers moved away from malls
Heavy debt obligations that drained cash reserves
Intense competition from low-cost online retailers
Changing habits among younger shoppers who buy differently
Rising operating costs squeezing already thin margins

What This Means for Shoppers

For everyday customers, the practical impact depends entirely on where they live. Someone in the United States may barely notice a difference at their local store, while a shopper in a British town watched their nearest Claire’s shut its doors for good, at least for a period. That uneven experience is why so many people are unsure whether the brand still exists.

Loyalty programmes, gift cards, and online orders can also be affected when a brand changes hands region by region. Shoppers with outstanding gift cards or pending orders during a closure period are usually advised to check the specific terms in their country, since ownership changes can alter what is honoured.

The Wider Retail Picture

Claire’s troubles did not happen in isolation. The mid-2020s were brutal for mall-based and high-street retailers, with several well-known names filing for bankruptcy or entering administration around the same time. Shifting shopping habits and economic pressure hit an entire category of stores at once.

Seen in that light, Claire’s story is less an outlier and more a symbol of a broader shakeout. Brands built around physical stores in shopping centres have had to reinvent themselves, move online, or shrink dramatically to survive. Claire’s has essentially done all three.

Pressure	Effect on Retailers
Online competition	Pulls shoppers away from physical stores
Falling mall traffic	Reduces walk-in sales
High debt loads	Limits ability to invest and adapt
Changing tastes	Forces constant reinvention

What Comes Next for Claire’s

The brand’s future now rests on how well its various owners can modernise it. The North American business needs to prove that a slimmed-down store network can stay profitable, while the UK relaunch has to rebuild trust with shoppers who watched the old chain collapse. Neither is guaranteed, but both have a real shot.

What works in Claire’s favour is genuine brand recognition, especially among younger shoppers, and a piercing service that keeps drawing people through the door. Whether that nostalgia and footfall can translate into lasting profit is the question that will define the next few years.

So, Should You Worry About Claire’s Closing?

If you shop at Claire’s in the United States or Canada, the brand remains open and trading under its new owner. In the UK, the old stores are gone, but a fresh version of the brand is actively returning to high streets. Elsewhere in Europe, local operators have kept parts of the business running.

The short version is that Claire’s the company has survived, even though many individual stores did not. It is a leaner, restructured brand navigating a tough retail market, not a name that has vanished for good.

A Timeline of Claire’s Troubles

The unravelling and partial revival of Claire’s played out across roughly a year, moving from bankruptcy to closures to an unexpected rescue. Laying the key moments out in order makes the twisting story much easier to follow.

When	What Happened
August 2025	Claire’s filed for bankruptcy in the United States
September 2025	Ames Watson bought the North American business
January 2026	The UK arm went back into administration
April 2026	All UK and Ireland standalone stores closed
May 2026	Julien Jarjoura secured UK naming rights and stores
June 2026	UK store reopenings began under new leadership

What this sequence shows is a brand that repeatedly came close to the edge yet kept finding buyers willing to bet on its future. The pattern of collapse followed by rescue is exactly why simple yes-or-no answers about Claire’s rarely tell the whole story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Claire’s going out of business in 2026?

No. The brand survived bankruptcy and restructuring. While many stores closed, especially in the UK, Claire’s continues to trade in the US and is returning to UK high streets.

Did all Claire’s stores close in the UK?

All standalone UK and Ireland stores closed by late April 2026, but a new operator began reopening around 50 stores from June 2026.

Who owns Claire’s now?

The North American business is owned by Ames Watson Capital, while the UK revival is led by French entrepreneur Julien Jarjoura, and other European regions run under separate owners.

Can I still get my ears pierced at Claire’s?

Yes. Ear piercing remains a core service and is being kept as part of both the North American business and the UK relaunch.

Why did Claire’s file for bankruptcy?

A mix of falling mall traffic, heavy debt, and strong competition from cheaper online retailers pushed the company into bankruptcy in 2025. Rising costs and shifting habits among younger shoppers added further strain until restructuring became unavoidable.

July 20, 2026

Are Jeans Business Casual? What You Need to Know Before You Wear Them

Jeans can be business casual, but only the right pair in the right setting. Dark-wash, well-fitted jeans with no rips or fading often pass as business casual in modern and creative offices. Light, distressed, or baggy jeans almost never do, and many traditional workplaces still consider all denim too relaxed for the code.

So the honest answer is: it depends. It hinges on the shade of the denim, the cut, the condition, and above all the culture of where you work. A pair that looks perfectly professional at a design agency might raise eyebrows at a corporate bank. Understanding those variables is the key to wearing jeans without breaking the dress code.

Question	Are jeans business casual?
Short answer	Sometimes, depending on style and workplace
Usually acceptable	Dark-wash, slim or straight, no rips, clean condition
Usually not acceptable	Ripped, faded, baggy, or brightly coloured denim
Safest workplaces	Tech, creative, startups, casual offices
Riskiest workplaces	Law, finance, banking, formal client-facing roles
Best pairing	Blazer, collared shirt, blouse, or knit sweater

The Jeans That Usually Pass

Not all denim is created equal in the eyes of a dress code. The versions that read as business casual share a few clear traits. They look intentional, tidy, and closer to trousers than to weekend wear.

Dark indigo or black wash with no fading
Slim or straight cut with a clean, tailored line
No rips, tears, distressing, or frayed hems
A crisp, ironed appearance rather than a worn-in look
Paired with a smarter top to lift the overall outfit

The Jeans That Usually Do Not

On the other side, certain denim styles will pull an outfit firmly out of business casual territory. These tend to signal comfort and leisure rather than work.

Light, stonewashed, or heavily faded denim
Ripped knees, distressed patches, or frayed edges
Baggy, oversized, or overly tight skinny fits
Bright colours, prints, or embellished details
Anything wrinkled, stained, or clearly worn out

It All Comes Down to Your Workplace

The same pair of jeans can be a yes in one office and a no in another. Industry norms shape the answer more than any universal rule. Knowing where your workplace sits on the spectrum tells you almost everything.

Workplace Type	Jeans Verdict	Notes
Tech and startups	Usually fine	Dark, clean denim is common
Creative agencies	Usually fine	Style-forward looks are welcome
Marketing and media	Often fine	Depends on client meetings
Corporate offices	Sometimes	Dark denim only, on relaxed days
Law and finance	Rarely	Denim often seen as too casual
Client-facing roles	Caution	Match the client’s formality

How to Style Jeans for Business Casual

If your workplace allows denim, the way you style it decides whether the outfit works. The goal is to balance the casual nature of jeans with a more polished top and clean footwear. When jeans are the most relaxed thing you are wearing, the look holds together.

For men, a dark pair with a collared button-down and leather shoes strikes the right note. Adding a blazer instantly sharpens it. For women, tailored dark jeans with a blouse and low heels or loafers reads as intentional and professional. A structured jacket does the same lifting work.

Pair Jeans With	Effect
Blazer or structured jacket	Instantly more professional
Collared shirt or blouse	Adds polish and intent
Knit sweater or cardigan	Smart yet approachable
Leather shoes or clean flats	Grounds the outfit
Simple belt and watch	Ties the look together

Why Denim Divides Offices

Few clothing items spark as much dress-code debate as jeans. The reason is history. For decades, denim was strictly weekend wear, associated with manual labour and leisure rather than the boardroom. That association lingers, which is why older or more traditional industries still treat jeans with suspicion.

Modern workplaces have loosened up considerably, especially as tech and creative firms reshaped office norms. In those environments, a sharp pair of dark jeans reads as perfectly professional. The split you see today is really a clash between old expectations and newer, more relaxed attitudes.

The Role of Fit and Fabric

Two pairs of jeans in the same colour can send completely different signals based on cut alone. A tailored, straight-leg pair drapes cleanly and looks intentional, while a slouchy or overly baggy pair instantly reads as casual. Fit does more heavy lifting here than most people realise.

Fabric plays its part too. Rigid, structured denim holds a crisp line that flatters a professional outfit, whereas soft, stretchy, or heavily washed material tends to look relaxed. When you shop with the office in mind, reach for firmer, darker denim with a clean finish.

Denim Colour	Office Suitability
Black	Highest, reads almost like trousers
Dark indigo	Strong, safe for most modern offices
Mid-blue	Borderline, depends on styling
Light wash	Low, usually too casual
Distressed or coloured	Rarely acceptable at work

Denim Through the Seasons

Jeans are a year-round staple, which is part of their appeal. In cooler months, dark denim pairs naturally with sweaters, boots, and blazers for a layered, polished look. The heavier textures of autumn and winter suit denim well, letting it blend into a smart outfit with ease.

Warmer months call for a lighter touch. Pairing jeans with a breathable collared shirt or blouse keeps you cool while holding the professional line. Just resist the temptation to switch to faded summer denim, which drifts too far into weekend territory.

When in Doubt, Skip the Jeans

New to a job or unsure of the norms? It is wiser to leave denim in the wardrobe for your first week. Observe what colleagues wear, especially those in similar or senior roles, and take your cue from them. Chinos or tailored trousers are a safer bet while you learn the culture.

Once you have a feel for the office, you can test the waters with a dark, well-fitted pair on a lower-stakes day. If it fits in, you have found your answer. If it feels off, no harm done.

Jeans in Client-Facing Situations

Even if your office allows denim day to day, client meetings deserve extra thought. When you represent your company to an outside party, their expectations matter more than your own dress code. A jeans outfit that feels normal at your desk might undercut your authority in front of a conservative client.

The simple rule is to match or slightly exceed the formality of the person you are meeting. Meeting a relaxed startup founder? Dark jeans and a blazer likely work. Sitting across from a bank or law firm? Swap to trousers and remove the guesswork entirely.

Reading the Unwritten Office Rules

Every workplace has a written dress code and an unwritten one, and the second usually matters more. Watching how respected colleagues dress tells you far more than any policy document. If senior staff wear dark jeans without a second glance, you have your answer.

Pay attention to occasions too. Some offices are relaxed on ordinary days but expect sharper attire when important visitors arrive or big presentations happen. Learning to read these subtle shifts keeps you appropriately dressed without anyone ever having to correct you.

Business Casual Jeans Checklist

Before you leave the house, run your jeans through a quick mental test. If you can answer yes to all of these, you are probably on safe ground. The checklist takes seconds and saves you from that sinking feeling of realising, mid-meeting, that your outfit missed the mark:

Are they dark-wash or black rather than light and faded?
Are they free of rips, tears, and distressing?
Do they fit well without being too tight or too loose?
Are they clean, ironed, and in good condition?
Have you paired them with a smarter top and proper shoes?

The Bottom Line on Jeans

Jeans occupy a genuine grey area in the business casual world, and that is unlikely to change. They can absolutely work, but only when the denim is dark, clean, well-fitting, and paired with something smarter on top. The moment a pair drifts toward faded, ripped, or slouchy, it slips out of professional territory.

Your workplace culture remains the deciding factor above all else. A creative studio and a traditional bank will judge the same jeans very differently, so read your environment before you commit. When you get it right, denim offers a comfortable, versatile foundation for a polished office look. When you are unsure, a pair of tailored trousers will never let you down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are black jeans business casual?

Often yes. Black jeans read as smarter than blue denim and pair easily with blazers and collared shirts, making them one of the safer denim choices.

Can women wear jeans as business casual?

Yes, when the jeans are dark, well-fitted, and free of distressing, paired with a blouse or blazer and neat footwear.

Are skinny jeans business casual?

They can be, if they are dark and not overly tight. Extremely tight fits can look too casual for professional settings.

What is the safest alternative to jeans?

Chinos or tailored dress trousers offer a similar comfort level while sitting more reliably within the business casual code.

July 20, 2026

What Is Business Casual? A Simple Guide to Getting the Dress Code Right

Business casual is a workplace dress code that sits comfortably between a full formal suit and everyday weekend clothes. In plain terms, it means dressing neatly and looking put-together without the stiffness of a tie and blazer. A collared shirt with chinos, a blouse with tailored trousers, or a modest knit sweater with clean shoes would all land squarely inside the business casual zone.

Here is the part that trips people up: there is no single official rulebook. What passes as business casual at a tech company in Austin can look noticeably different from the same label at a law firm in Boston. The underlying idea stays steady across industries, though. You want to read as polished and professional while still feeling relaxed enough to get through a normal working day.

Term	Business Casual
Category	Workplace dress code
Formality level	Between formal and casual
Common settings	Offices, client meetings, interviews, networking events
Typical menswear	Collared shirts, chinos, sweaters, loafers
Typical womenswear	Blouses, tailored trousers, knee-length skirts, flats
Usually avoided	Ripped jeans, shorts, flip-flops, graphic tees, athletic wear
Rose to popularity	1990s, alongside the spread of Casual Friday
Loosely related term	Smart casual

Where the Business Casual Idea Came From

The dress code has roots in the 1990s, when American offices began loosening their standards one day a week. Casual Friday gave employees permission to swap the suit for something more comfortable, and workers liked it. As technology firms grew and rewrote the rules of office life, the relaxed look slowly spread across the whole week.

Over time, companies realised that comfort and professionalism did not have to fight each other. That middle ground became known as business casual, and it stuck. Today it is probably the most common dress expectation across white-collar workplaces in the United States.

What Business Casual Looks Like for Men

For men, the recipe is fairly forgiving. The goal is a clean, intentional outfit that would look right in a meeting but would not feel out of place grabbing lunch afterward. A button-down shirt paired with chinos is the classic combination that almost never fails.

Item	Good Choices
Tops	Collared button-downs, polos, fine-knit sweaters
Bottoms	Chinos, khakis, tailored dress trousers
Footwear	Loafers, oxfords, clean leather shoes, tidy boots
Layers	Cardigans, blazers (optional), pullovers
Accessories	Leather belt, simple watch, understated tie if desired

What Business Casual Looks Like for Women

Women tend to have a wider range of options, which is both freeing and slightly confusing. A blouse tucked into tailored trousers works beautifully. So does a knee-length dress with a light cardigan. The trick is choosing pieces that feel structured rather than loungey.

Item	Good Choices
Tops	Blouses, knit tops, tailored shirts, modest sweaters
Bottoms	Dress trousers, tailored slacks, knee-length skirts
Dresses	Sheath dresses, wrap dresses, midi styles
Footwear	Flats, low heels, loafers, ankle boots
Accessories	Simple jewellery, structured handbag, light scarf

What to Leave at Home

Just as useful as knowing what to wear is knowing what quietly breaks the code. These items usually read as too casual, even in relaxed offices:

Ripped, faded, or distressed jeans
Shorts of any length
Flip-flops, slides, and beach sandals
Graphic tees, slogan shirts, and tank tops
Sweatpants, leggings worn as trousers, and athletic gear
Anything wrinkled, stained, or visibly worn out

Business Casual Compared to Other Dress Codes

Dress codes exist on a spectrum, and business casual sits right in the middle. Seeing them side by side makes the differences click into place.

Dress Code	Typical Look	When You Wear It
Casual	Jeans, tees, sneakers	Relaxed offices, weekends, creative studios
Business casual	Chinos, blouses, loafers	Most day-to-day office work
Business professional	Suits, dress shirts, ties	Law, finance, formal meetings
Formal / black tie	Tuxedos, evening gowns	Galas, weddings, award nights

Dressing for the Season

Business casual bends with the weather, which keeps it practical year-round. In warmer months, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen-blends help you stay sharp without wilting. Short-sleeve collared shirts and lighter colours earn their place here.

When temperatures drop, layering becomes your friend. A sweater over a collared shirt, or a blazer thrown on top of a blouse, adds warmth while lifting the whole outfit. Darker tones and heavier weaves feel naturally cold-weather appropriate.

Common Business Casual Mistakes

Most slip-ups come from misjudging just how casual is acceptable. People either overshoot into full-suit territory and feel overdressed, or they drift too far toward loungewear and look careless. A few habits keep you safely in range:

Ironing or steaming clothes so nothing looks slept-in
Matching your formality to the most senior person in the room
Keeping one blazer at your desk for surprise meetings
Choosing fit over trend, since well-fitted basics always look sharp

Business Casual for Job Interviews

Interviews raise the stakes, and business casual is often the sweet spot when a company describes its culture as relaxed. You want to look like you took the meeting seriously without arriving so formal that you seem disconnected from the team. A collared shirt with tailored trousers, or a blouse with a smart skirt, sends exactly that message.

When you cannot tell how formal a workplace is, dressing one notch above their everyday norm is a safe bet for an interview. Nobody has ever lost a job offer for looking slightly too polished. Turning up underdressed, on the other hand, can quietly work against you before you even speak.

Fabrics and Colours That Work

The materials you choose shape how the whole outfit reads. Natural fibres like cotton and wool tend to hold their shape and look crisp throughout the day, while cheaper synthetics can wrinkle or cling in ways that undercut a professional look. Investing in a few quality pieces pays off over time.

Colour matters too. Neutral tones form the backbone of a reliable business casual wardrobe because they mix and match with almost anything. You can still show personality, just in measured doses.

Colour Group	Why It Works
Navy, grey, black	Versatile, professional, easy to pair
White, cream, beige	Clean, fresh, and endlessly matchable
Muted blues and greens	Add subtle personality without shouting
Soft pastels	Approachable for warmer seasons
Bold brights	Best used as small accents, not the whole outfit

Building a Business Casual Wardrobe on a Budget

You do not need a designer closet to nail this dress code. A handful of well-chosen basics can be mixed into dozens of outfits, which stretches your money and your morning decisions. Focus on versatile staples first, then add character pieces once the foundation is set.

Two or three pairs of neutral trousers or chinos
A rotation of collared shirts or blouses in plain colours
One reliable blazer or structured jacket
A couple of sweaters or cardigans for layering
One or two pairs of clean, comfortable leather shoes

A Quick Word on Company Culture

The smartest move on your first week at any job is to watch what colleagues actually wear, not just what the handbook says. Written policies set the outer edges, but daily norms reveal the real expectation. When in doubt, lean slightly dressier than you think you need to. It is far easier to remove a blazer than to conjure one.

Business Casual for Video Calls

Remote and hybrid work changed the dress code game, but it did not erase it. On a video call, the camera only sees you from roughly the chest up, so your top half carries the whole impression. A neat collared shirt or blouse reads as professional even when the rest of the outfit is comfortable.

Solid colours tend to look cleaner on screen than busy patterns, which can shimmer or distract on lower-quality cameras. It also pays to resist the temptation to pair a smart top with pyjama bottoms, if only because standing up mid-call has embarrassed more than a few remote workers. Dressing the part fully often helps you feel more focused too.

Grooming and the Finishing Touches

Clothes are only half the equation. A sharp business casual outfit can be undone by scuffed shoes, a wrinkled collar, or an untucked mess. Small details signal that you care, and people notice them even when they cannot say why an outfit looks right.

Keep shoes clean, iron out creases, and make sure everything fits properly. Grooming counts too, from tidy hair to well-kept nails. None of this needs to be fussy. It simply ties the look together and helps you feel as confident as you appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is business casual the same as smart casual?

Not quite. They overlap, but smart casual leans a touch more relaxed and fashion-forward, while business casual keeps a firmer grip on office-appropriate polish.

Can I wear sneakers with business casual?

Clean, minimalist leather sneakers can work in relaxed or creative offices. Loud running shoes or scuffed trainers usually do not.

Do I need a tie for business casual?

No. A tie is optional and often unnecessary. If you wear one, keep it simple and understated.

Are jeans ever acceptable?

In some modern workplaces, dark, clean, well-fitting jeans pass as business casual. It depends heavily on your specific office culture.

July 20, 2026