Want to wear your jeans even for the holidays? Don’t worry, we do, too.
Petra Ecclestone shows off her feet in animal print shoes paired with jeans (Credit: WENN)
If you’re not willing to trade your jeans for dresses at parties but aren’t quite sure how to pull ’em off, then check out our list of 9 quick, easy, and affordable ways to look glam even when you’re wearing jeans.
1. Wear a dressy top
This is one trick we probably all learned in college. With jeans as our everyday staple and armed with a limited budget, we all learned to build an arsenal of going-out tops to cover those nights out, dates, and other special events.
The great thing about this trick is that even if you have just one good pair of jeans, almost any dressy top would work with it (which is why this combo is a college girl’s best friend).
Depending on the occasion, a dressy top can be a sequined tank, a ruffled blouse, or even a crisp white button-down long-sleeve shirt.
Tory Burch Lane Blouse, $395.00; Tbags Los Angeles Sequin Tank, $194.00; Parker Strapless Bustier Top, $187.00
2. Throw on a blazer or a jacket
If it’s too cold and no one’s going to see your dressy top anyway, then make the most out of your outerwear. Throw on a chic blazer or a cute jacket to instantly glam up your jeans.
A tailored blazer is something no fashionista is ever without — sport the trendy sleeves-pushed-up-to-elbows look once you get indoors.
We love jackets with a bit of an edge to them (can’t go wrong with a leather jacket!), but a classic pea coat in a bright color or even a comfy fair isle cardigan would work just as well.
Theory Medora Hydric Jacket, $455.00; BB Dakota Melton Coat, $120.00; Yigal Azrouel Tweed Jacket, $975.00
3. Glam up with statement accessories
How would you like to make a statement? With a brightly colored clutch bag? With a Blair Waldorf-ish headband? With a shiny metallic leather belt? The possibilities are endless!
Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Clutch, $195.00; Eugenia Kim Serena Sequin Bow Headband, $110.00; Elegantly Waisted Zoe Belt, $86.00
4. Glam up with dazzling jewelry
Sometimes, jewelry is enough to glam up a pair of jeans.
Disc earrings, long layered necklaces, piled-on bracelets, or stacked engagement rings — costume or real, jewelry instantly adds that much-needed sparkle, sizzle, and shine factor.
Soo Ihn Kim Jinx Cuff, $58.00; DANNIJO Cintia Collar, $260.00; Jules Smith Coachella Earrings, $95.00
5. Slip on glamorous heels
Even heels of just a couple of inches can already add a sexy sway to your step. We almost feel like cheating with this because glamming up your jeans with heels is almost too easy!
Megan McKenna styled her jeans with high heels and a handbag (Credit: WENN)
Whether you prefer high-heeled pumps, sandals, booties, or thigh-high boots, wearing a pair of heels with your jeans will almost always do the trick.
Boutique 9 Detective Suede High Heel Sandals, $140.00; BCBG Max Azria Foster Platform Pumps, $250.00; Elizabeth and James Must Platform Boots, $595.00
6. Pair black with black
Black is the go-to color of fashion insiders, the wardrobe color choice of chic city slickers, and the uniform of even fashion designers themselves. When in doubt, go black!
We like the touches of red the woman added to her outfit in the first picture in this article. You can also try different textures, such as the leather-paneled black jeans below for a bit of contrast.
Joe’s Jeans The Skinny Jeans, $198.00; J Brand Maria High-Rise Legging Jeans, $180.00; Siwy Mick Leather Skinny Jeans, $372.00
7. Wear any colored jeans but the usual blue
As a rule, light-washed, stone-washed, and distressed jeans look more casual than the darker blues. So, when aiming for the dressier, more formal, and more glammed-up look, go for the dark wash and raw denim jeans.
You could also try wearing jeans in any color BUT blue. Colored jeans can often pass off as a dressier outfit option — only one more reason to love colored jeans. And if you have yet to try a pair, that’s one more reason why you should get one now!
Blank Denim Spray-on Skinny Jeans, $80.00; Siwy Rose Drainpipe Skinny Jeans, $165.00; Rich & Skinny Legacy Jeans, $165.00
8. Customize your jeans
If you’re feeling artistic and crafts-y, then grab this chance to save yourself some money and customize your jeans. Instead of buying colored jeans, why not dye an old pair that you already have?
You can also easily purchase an entire pack of rhinestones for less than $5 at Amazon, and you can stud your jeans yourself.
9. Repair your jeans
Lastly, you can look instantly glam even when wearing jeans when the jeans themselves are in great condition. You can nominate one pair from your denim collection to be your dressy jeans so that you don’t wear them off as quickly as you do your other jeans.
Once you spot loose threads, stains, fraying, repair, or clean them immediately. This way, they can serve as your dressy jeans for a longer period of time and can help you look effortlessly glam in an instant.