Festive Casual Outfits With Jeans: Easy Ways to Dress Up Denim for the Holidays
For many of us, holiday gatherings are more casual these days; think small get-togethers with friends, relaxed family dinners, or a festive drink with neighbors. And in those settings, jeans have become a true wardrobe workhorse. They’re comfortable, reliable, and surprisingly easy to dress up when you want to look a little more polished for the season.
How to Dress Up Jeans for Casual Holiday Gatherings
With the right textures, colors, and accessories, denim can feel every bit as festive as your favorite party pieces. These outfit ideas show how to elevate jeans for holiday events while still keeping things unfussy and comfortable.
Shimmery & Chic: A Plissé Top With Relaxed Denim
(Note: you can click on any text in red to go to product page and shop.)
Holiday looks don’t have to be complicated! Here I’ve paired a shimmery plissé top with straight leg jeans, then added a short pearl necklace, fun bracelet, and leopard print slingback shoes. It’s an easy formula: one festive top, one polished accessory, one patterned shoe.
Holiday Plaid With Dark Denim
I’m wearing: Shirt – XS, Jean – 8 Petite
A bright plaid cotton flannel shirt gets party-ready when styled with dark-wash palazzo jeans and metallic shoes. A longer pearl necklace adds movement and just a touch of understatement, perfect for gatherings that lean relaxed but still festive.
Neutral Textures for an Elevated Casual Look
BAG | JEANS | SHOES (SIMILAR)
My sizes: Cardigan – Small/1, Top – Petite Medium, Jeans – 28
For a softer take on festive dressing, I’ve kept the palette neutral while playing with texture and pattern. A structured cardigan, foil-dot tee, leopard-print bag (now on sale!), and satin flats create a look that’s understated but still very holiday-ready.
Velvet + Dark Denim: Effortless Holiday Elegance
My sizes: Shirt – Small, Jeans – 28 Petite
Nothing says “easy elegance” like a relaxed velvet shirt. This one is from small British brand NRBY, and comes in several colors. I met one of the founders, Jo Hooper, during a visit to London earlier this year; she prioritizes comfort and versatility in all her designs, and it really shows in pieces like this.
For more velvet shirt options, take a look at these from Eileen Fisher (more colors here) | Marine Layer | Mango | Talbots.
These jeans are a new favorite too: the “Rambler” from MOTHER. (For Petite fits, check out the ‘Lil Mother styles.) They’re exactly what I’ve been searching for—mid-rise, straight-leg, not too full or too fitted, in a dark stretch wash. A clean, dark denim like this can even sub in for navy trousers, making them especially easy to dress up.
A Festive Finishing Touch: A Red Lip
And don’t forget the power of a red lip to make any look more festive! It’s amazing how a swipe of red can make a simple jeans-and-top combination feel suddenly party-ready. Here are some of my favorite formulas: By Brian | Jane Iredale | Chanel
Put Your Versatile Denim to Work This Season
However you’re celebrating this season, jeans can be a comfortable and stylish foundation for festive outfits. With a few simple upgrades (texture, color, shine, or pattern) you can create looks that feel holiday-ready without any fuss. I hope these ideas inspire you to put your denim to work for your upcoming gatherings.
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*I noticed leopard Maryjanes are an Australian brand. Are they true to size? Thanks.
Yes, and they’re comfortable too!
I’ve loved this series. I agree that life is casual and we so rarely need to get dressed up! Two of my holiday parties are PJ parties! Both kid oriented but a little too casual for me!
Great looks and great to learn about Lil Mother. One thing I don’t understand is why some brands (Ruti in this post) think that 29″ is a Petite length. I am 5′ 2.5″, and a 29″ inseam is too long unless I’m wearing heels. Most petite women would have to shorten these jeans, which really defeats the purpose. I hope it’s not becoming a trend. That Land’s End shirt is such a glorious mix of colors and looks great on you!
Thanks, Maeve! I’ve also noticed that hemlines are getting longer (maybe they think we’ll all go back to wearing heels?).
Hoping this IS a trend! I’m not super tall (5’7”) but I’ve been complaining for several years about short pants! If I have time to order online, I often buy Tall sizes (when available), so that the length comes out about right. I bought a pair of nice Athleta “Endless” pants last year in the regular length, because I needed them right away. I still regret that because whenever I wear them, I think they make my legs look dumpy!
I’m with you! At 5’7” and short waisted, a 30” inseam is ankle length. I saw some jeans over the summer that were “ankle length” at 26” and would have been mid-calf. So happy that Gap, Athleta and Banana Republic sell “tall” sizes
Susan can you tell me more about the Mother jeans? This is what I’ve been looking for— I’d rise, straight dark wash and I’m petite. You have linked the regular size and listed wearing 28 petite. Am I missing something? Do the petite sizing need to be purchased directly from Mother? Do you find them true to size?
Hi Rose, I also linked to the the Petite option (“Lil Mother”) here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-35049949 I really love the look, fit, and feel of these jeans!
This link doesn’t refer to them as ‘Lil Mother and I don’t see petite? What am I missing?
Sorry about that, sometimes the links get switched. Here you go: https://go.shopmy.us/p-35049949
Susan, you always seem to find jeans that fit and work well with your style personality. Any tips on from you or other readers on working with denim for a body/style persona that needs a sleek waist and elegant draping? I just bought a beautiful pair of imogene+willie jeans, mainly for the deep dark selvedge fabric, and am foundering on the styling.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you! I’ll be sharing an updated denim edit in a few weeks, so keep an eye out for that. I’m not sure exactly what you mean by “elegant draping,” but it sounds as though you’re looking for a wider leg? You might want to try the J.Crew “Trouser” jean https://go.shopmy.us/p-26919923, the Ruti Palazzo jean https://go.shopmy.us/p-32159057, or the Frame Slim Palazzo jean https://go.shopmy.us/p-35085767.
Thank you, Susan!
Your comment helped me refine my issues.
1. Jeans don’t sit calmly on the body. They gouge or gap or make an awkward bulge.
Madewell curvy fit is often good for me, but they insist on weird washes and distressing. I’d love to have another go-to option.
2. I am stumped by finding tops that get along with jeans at the waist. The tops are too long, too short, too bulky or too stiff. I read once that what happens at the waist is key for dressing a Romantic type, which I am.
Thank you for your enlightening discussion, as always. Since starting to follow your blog, I have gained the resolve to lean into best colors for me, as opposed to nice colors in general. Very happy with the results.
All outfits are good. We are still in the dark what we are going to do at Christmas. Some invitations are swirling around in orbit but nothing has materialized yet. We’ll see.
Greetje