Who says jeans can’t be stylish? With the right pair of jeans paired with the right accessories, you can make jeans look professional or dressy. To get a dressy or professional look with jeans, you should first start with a dark wash jean. Jeans that are too light or faded will look old or casual. Just as suits and dresses that are more formal tend to be darker, dark jeans give a similar feel to the outfit. However, women can dress up in light gray or white jeans, but today we’re just focusing on the good old (actually, new) jeans.
Next, your jeans should have a modern cut and style. Okay, I have to tease the guys for a minute here. Many people, especially men, think that jeans never go out of style. Let me correct that thought by saying that DENIM never goes out of style, but jeans and the way they are worn do! Men, just because your jean shorts from ten years ago are denim doesn’t mean they’re still in style or you should still wear them. Denim shorts are a thing of the past, leave them there. Also, we’ve all heard of “mommy jeans”, well guys, there are also “daddy jeans”. Stay away from “dad jeans.” If you don’t know if you’re wearing a “dad jean” or not, ask the women in your life and they’ll be happy to tell you.
Another thing to remember about fit and style is that you should spend time trying on enough pairs of jeans to determine the right fit for YOUR body. Not everyone can wear skinny jeans, but there are some people who think they can’t wear skinny jeans and never try them on. You’d be surprised what body types can wear skinny jeans and look great in them. There’s a cut that’s right for your body, even if you’re shopping for bargain-priced jeans. Also, make sure you buy the correct size jeans. Men, wear jeans that show off your butt instead of making it look flabby. Ladies, please wear jeans that are not so tight that they damage your internal organs or cut off circulation to your feet. Find the right fit for your body, and if doing so means having to tailor it, spend the extra money to do so. You will not regret. Now that you’ve got the right cut, style, fit, and wash, it’s time to dress up those great new jeans.
For the women:
I recently went to a music industry networking event and all I felt like wearing was something easy and comfortable. I wanted to wear my most comfortable pair of jeans and my softest (but plainest) sleeveless shirt which happened to be the boring brown. When I arrived at the event, I received several compliments on how great my outfit looked and how dressed up I looked. As I did? I took the most comfortable simple jeans and shirt and added the right accessories: a corset belt with a small gold buckle, a long scarf that has some shimmer to it with bronze, blue, and cream, a pair of wedge heels that had straps on silver, gold and bronze, a brushed gold and silver bracelet with some subtle brushed gold earrings (note, the earrings and bracelet were not made to match each other… I hate mixed jewelry) and a leather bag. That may sound like a lot of accessories, but for that particular pair of jeans and top, I needed those extra touches. An embellished pair of jeans won’t need as many accessories. When it comes to accessories, it’s all about knowing when there’s too much and when there’s not enough. (One of my favorite movie quotes is from Steele Magnolias when Clairee says, “The only thing that separates us from animals is our ability to customize. I LOVE IT!)
High heels or boots with tucked in jeans can instantly enhance your look. Just make sure that when you put on your high heels, your jeans don’t suddenly look like high water. The right length is also important when it comes to finding jeans that fit you well. Ladies, you can also wear cute jeans with a blouse in an elegant fabric like silk or satin. For a more professional look, add a fitted and structured blazer. Make sure your blazer/jacket fits well across the shoulders and across the chest. If necessary, other parts of the jacket can be adapted. One thing women should keep in mind is making sure the jeans they buy that have embellishments aren’t so embellished that they look like something out of a tween back-to-school ad.
For men:
Guys, you can take your girl out to a nice dinner and still wear her jeans. First, you need to get rid of the sneakers. In fact, sneakers should only be worn when doing something sporty and should never be worn with jeans. I’m talking about the kind of sneakers you’d wear to the gym here, you know, the bright white ones. However, a stylish modern pair of sneakers or Converse All Stars can work if paired with the right type of trendy denim. It’s the Jerry Seinfeld look we’re trying to avoid. It is best to opt for a fashionable/elegant slip-on shoe or boot. Also, a button-down collared shirt that’s fitted (again, fit is important, so don’t wear a shirt that’s so big and boxy that it looks like it has a spare tire on it that you don’t). Throw on a blazer or a nice leather jacket and you’re good to go. This look can also work for business casual events or networking events, depending on the industry you work in. Flip flops are never considered “business casual” so leave them for play!
Fortunately, denim is here to stay, and luckily, it evolves so we never get bored of it!