Q&A: How to Dress Up Jeans for Work
Q: I work in a super chilly office, and I have to dress somewhere between business casual and business. Everyone has instructed me to wear jeans (since I wear skirts all the time). What is the proper way to dress up jeans?
A: The key to surviving the cold in a chilly office environment is layering, layering, layering. Because while your cube may be freezing, the conference room with southern exposure (and floor to ceiling windows) may be an oven. Layering your clothes allows you to add and remove layers as the temperature around you shifts.
It sounds like your personal style falls on the dressier side, since you’re big on skirts. Like skirts, dark jeans are the way to go for a dressier look. The darker the jean, the dressier the look it creates.
Here’s three basic fashion formulas to get you started:
(1) Blazer + Sweater + Tee + Jeans.
(2) Cardigan + Button-down Shirt + Tee + Jeans.
(3) Jacket + Sweater + Blouse + Jeans.
Finish the look off with a pair of low heels (or boots) and a killer bag.
P.S. If it’s unbearably chilly, you may also want to go hunting for the thermostat or call facilities to adjust the temperature. In a pinch, you can also cover up an air vent that’s blowing directly at you with a plastic trash bag and duct tape.
Have a great tip about how to wear jeans to work? Share it with us in the comments!
12 comments March 10th, 2008
Sleekly stylish, this jacket is decidedly European in design. Pair with a crisp white shirt and a pair of dark jeans for a chic day look.