EVELYSS / Guides / Fashion Sense

How to Dress Up Jeans for a Night Out (Jeans and a Nice Top, Done Properly)

“Jeans and a nice top has a bad reputation because people stop at the word nice. Don't choose nice. Choose a top with a reason to exist: real shine, a proper neckline, a beautiful sleeve. Then the jeans become the clever part.”Her take

Pick the right jeans first

The jeans do more to set the tone than people think. Go for a dark indigo, inky or black wash with no rips, heavy fading or whiskering. Clean, even colour reads as smart, especially under low lights. Straight, wide-leg and slim cuts all work, as long as they fit well at the waist and don't crease into sharp folds on your thighs.

Then check the length in the shoes you'll actually wear. Wide-leg jeans should fall to a couple of centimetres above the floor in your heels, not pool on a wet pavement. Straight jeans should hit the top of your foot or the shaft of your boot cleanly. If the hem drags, have it taken up before party season, because a frayed, damp hem undoes the whole look.

What tops make jeans look dressy?

Let the top bring the occasion. Look for a change of texture or something that catches the light, since denim is matte and sturdy and will show off anything finer next to it. Choose just one idea: shine, a statement shape, or a good bit of skin at the neck or shoulder.

• Satin or silk-look camisole: under a blazer on a cold night, or on its own in a warm venue.
• Velvet top: long-sleeved and cosy, in deep green, navy or black, ideal for December.
• Sequin or metallic top: the quickest route to a party. Keep everything else plain.
• Lace or sheer-sleeved blouse: with a matching camisole underneath for a softer look.
• Fine black bodysuit or knit: with a bold neckline and big earrings for an easy, sharp option.
• Off-the-shoulder or one-shoulder top: a good option for dinner when the top half is all anyone sees.

Which shoes dress jeans up?

A pointed toe does more than a tall heel. Pointed ankle boots, slingbacks and court shoes all make jeans look more polished, and a block or kitten heel will still get you there if you're walking between places. In metallic or patent finishes, even a low shoe can feel like an evening choice.

Clean up your footwear for the night: polished leather, tidy heels, no salt marks. If you're walking in the wet, wear practical boots on the way and change in the cloakroom, or pick a heeled boot with a rubber sole. Avoid chunky trainers unless the rest of the outfit is clearly dressed up. They'll read as casual, not deliberate.

Finish it with jewellery, a bag and a coat

Jewellery should be bolder than it is during the day. Pick one focal point: statement earrings if your hair is up or your neckline is high, a chain or collar necklace with a low neckline, or a cocktail ring and a stack of bangles with a plain top. Doing all three at once tends to be too much next to a shiny top.

Swap your daytime bag for something small and structured: a clutch, a chain-strap bag or a mini shoulder bag. Your coat counts too, because it's what people see first. A long tailored wool coat looks right on the way to dinner, and a faux fur or smart black coat adds instant occasion. A bulky hooded parka will drag the whole outfit back to Tuesday.

Five outfits by occasion

Match the effort to the venue. If you're unsure, it's easy to take a blazer off once you arrive, but much harder to add polish.

• Pub with friends: dark straight jeans, soft satin blouse, gold hoops, heeled ankle boots.
• Dinner out: black wide-leg jeans, fine black knit, statement earrings, pointed heels, tailored coat.
• Christmas party: indigo straight jeans, sequin top, plain black blazer, plain black heels, small clutch.
• Birthday drinks: dark slim jeans, velvet top, collar necklace, patent ankle boots.
• Casual work do: dark jeans if allowed, silk-look shirt, sharp blazer, pointed flats you can stand in for hours.

Are jeans ever a mistake?

Yes, in a few situations. If an invitation says black tie, cocktail or formal, jeans will be underdressed, no matter how good the top is. Some restaurants, private clubs and members' venues also have dress codes that rule out denim, so check the website or call ahead.

If you're not sure about a party, ask the host or someone who's been before. A smart pair of black or dark jeans is often fine where the invitation says smart casual. If you'd feel out of place, a pair of dark wide-leg satin or velvet trousers will give you the same easy feeling with less risk.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Dark jeans, a clean hem and one piece with a real reason to be there. That's the difference between a nice top and a good outfit.

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