Denim will always be one of my all time favorite classic staples in my closet. I can find any excuse to wear my jeans. To me, there is always a way to dress your favorite jeans up for a special occasion. While they may be a go-to for casual wear, you bet they can work for a more elevated dress code.
The right wash and fit can be the perfect base for dressing your jeans up for a nice dinner out, a show, business casual and more. It’s essential to choose the right pair of jeans for when you want to dress them up and that’s what today’s post is all about. Here’s some of my favorite ways on how to dress up your favorite jeans based on where you’re headed.
How To Dress Up Jeans
One of my major tips for dressing up your jeans for any occasion is to always think about cut and wash. Avoid major rips, tears, anything really low rise and baggy that may feel sloppy. The style of jeans can definitely vary from skinny all the way to wide leg. Really any silhouette can work when dressing up your jeans. But it’s really about the fit (nothing overly baggy and sloppy) and wash.
I like dark wash jeans that don’t have any major fading. Stick to black wash jeans (not washed black), dark wash jeans, medium wash and white denim. When in doubt, when choosing your wash, opt for a trouser style fit. Avoid any whiskering and fading in these jean washes to ensure your outfit looks more polished and elevated.
How To Dress Up Jeans For Work
If you work in a business casual or smart casual office, denim can be a great base for your outfits. The key to dressing up your jeans for work is to sandwich the outfit with more business casual pieces. Add a nice blouse over top, or a beautiful sweater, a blazer is also a great option.
For shoes, choose your favorite work shoes from loafers, ballet flats to pumps. Depending on your office, you may be able to do a sandal so long as they are polished and elevated.
Lastly, the key for dressing up jeans for work is usually adding that third piece. This can be a nice light jacket like a blazer. But if you opted for nice blouse or sweater as your top, you can do this with a nice piece of jewelry or a silk scarf around your neck.
Black Jeans For Business Casual At The Office
Opting for black jeans for business casual is a great way to ease into wearing jeans to the office. Pair with blazers, nice blouses and a polished shoe. Choose a loafer, or ballet flat, or an elevated sandal. Here’s how to wear black jeans for business casual with even more outfit ideas.
Dressed Up Jeans With Blouses
To dress up your jeans for the office, you can also just opt for a nice blouse. Just make sure it’s tucked in, or finished nicely to look elevated and polished. I like to always ensure I finish outfits off with a nice belt, having your hair done, and adding jewelry. A nude sandal or heel or flat are a great shoe option. I also really like a wide leg cropped jean to dress up for work, it feels more like a trouser style pant which feels instantly more dressy.
How To Dress Up White Jeans For The Office
You can 100% wear a nice pair of white jeans to the office. Try a straight leg jean or wide leg trouser style and pair it with a nice top and blazer. Or a simple shell sweater. Simple, polished sandals for spring and summer work nicely, and you can also do a ballet flat or heel here.
How To Dress Up Jeans For A Night Out
Depending on the season, you can dress up your jeans for a night out with summery fun tops, to silky blouses for fall and winter. Simply pair your Going Out Top with your favorite jeans for a fun look. And be sure to add evening accessories like smaller clutch bags, fun jewelry and a bold red lip.
I think you can also have more fun with your denim here. You can wear a lighter wash pair of jeans and even opt for something more trendy with rips or fading. I don’t think there’s really a denim dress code here for a night out with friends, like we do for business casual.
Light Wash Jeans For A Night Out
Wear your favorite light wash jeans with a fun going out top to complete your look. Fun bold accessories complete your outfits to make them ready for a night out on the town. Here are more ideas on what to wear with light wash jeans.
How To Dress Up Jeans For Dinner
To me dressing up jeans for dinner, or a night out can be very similar. We’ll leave the night out for the more fancy pieces, but for dinner, you can really have a good range. This is sort of my favorite category and where I thrive. You can go slightly dressy with just a simple top and a heel, or go a bit more all out in more sexy and fun pieces. It all depends on the destination and vibe of dinner.
Dressing Up Jeans For Spring And Summer
Dressing up your favorite jeans for dinner during spring and summer is so easy. Just add your favorite new fun top, and a trendy sandal or hell with a straw bag and you are good to go. I also love a linen blazer this time of year for a third piece. Layer it over a simple tank for a perfect elevated look to head to dinner in.
Dressing Up Jeans For Dinner In The Fall
I love to dress up my jeans for dinner in the fall with a graphic tee, or a cool jacket. The combination never fails. It’s the perfect way to make your everyday blue jeans feel cool and edgy. You can also add a pretty blouse, or lightweight sweater. But I am team graphic tee this time of year.
Another option is to simply just dress up your favorite jeans and a button down with a nice shoe, pretty accessories or a topper like a blazer. These instantly elevate your look to make it feel dressier. Once you add in a nicer bag, sexy shoe, and jewelry, you can truly dress up any pair of jeans with a top.
Dressing Up Jeans For Dinner In The Winter
Dress up your jeans for dinner in the winter with the right layers and jackets. Try a cozy sweater layered under a great blazer or jacket. Boots are always a good idea this time of year. I like a sleek black boot with straight leg jeans, or try a nice heel. Long wool coats also add the perfect topper as you head to dinner that adds a nice element to your outfit versus a puffer coat.
How To Dress Up Jeans For A Party
When wearing jeans to a party aim for fun pieces from leather, to sequins, add in some cool structure and edge to your looks through shape and fabric. Always finish with jewelry and a non-work or tote bag. These small swaps make all the difference in your outfit.
Party Outfits In Black Jeans
Black jeans are always a go-to when putting an outfit together with jeans for a party. I like any silhouette too, wide leg to skinny. Add metallic accessories to really make the black pop. And you can also go really fun with a faux fur coat. Bring out your party pieces from fun bags, accessories, layers and shoes to complete these looks.
How To Dress Up Jeans For A Christmas Party
A Christmas party is always a great time to pull out your sparkly pieces or cozy red sweaters to complete a look. To dress up your jeans for a Christmas party always add something fun and festive. Whether it’s with color, print or texture.
Dressed Up Jeans For A Holiday Party
These two looks are perfect examples of what to wear to a holiday party with jeans. Try black coated jeans with sparkly sequinned or velvet pieces. It really feels festive when you lean into these fabrics. Or try a cozy red sweater with your blue jeans and metallic accessories. An easy way to put your holiday party outfit together and make it feel complete.
Jeans are hands down my most loved and most shopped items in my wardrobe. I love them so much and truly believe they are so versatile. If you’re looking to add some new denim to your closet, here are some of my favorite brands to check out and my reviews on them.
Browse my Madewell jeans review here, and my Pistola Jeans review. I also love straight leg jeans and have a full guide on the best straight leg jeans along with what shoes to wear with straight leg jeans. Not sure about all these jean styles? You can check out this ultimate guide to all the different types of jeans so you can find your perfect pair.
So trust me when I say, you can probably find a way to wear your favorite jeans to just about any occasion. From wearing htem to the office,d inner out with friends and cocktails afterwards, to Christmas parties and more. I’d say you can keep them in the closet for any formal or semi-formal occasion, but anything else is almost always a safe bet when done right.
