How to Wear It: Holiday Party Outfits With Jeans

Woman at a party posing
Dress up in jeans for all your parties this winter season. Getty Images/Georgijevic
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So Many Parties, So Many Jeans

Woman at a party posing
Dress up in jeans for all your parties this winter season. Getty Images/Georgijevic

Dressing up for holiday parties usually means coming up with multiple outfits. From the office Christmas party and cocktail hour gatherings, to holiday dinners with friends and family, there are so many occasions to celebrate the festive season. So how can you look look cute and festive for all your parties, without breaking the bank?

Before you race to the store to find a new dress, consider that wearing jeans is a great way to stand out from the holiday party crowd. The trick for most women, when it comes to holiday dressing, is in striking the perfect balance between boring and inappropriate. But if you have a well-fitting pair of skinny jeans in your closet, you've already got the basis for plenty of great party looks, from casual get-togethers to the dressier parties in your calendar.

We're here to help you figure out how to dress up jeans for the holiday season, so you can look modern, sophisticated and festive. Browse through our fashionably festive jeans outfits, and get inspired to dress up your jeans for all your holiday parties.

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Office Holiday Party Outfit

Holiday party outfit with jeans
Dress up jeans with white and gold separates for a party look. Frame Denim

Create an elegant entrance at your office Christmas party in a beautiful outfit that starts with dark wash skinny jeans. This outfit perfectly balances sophisticated style with touches of glitter, making it truly special for festive occasions, without looking like you had to try too hard. Begin with a perfect-fitting pair of rich blue skinny jeans in a clean finish, with no whiskering or distressed details, and add a gleaming gold top. Then layer on a white tuxedo-style blazer, to pull your look together. Classic accessories in golden and nude tones add polish to your look.

Items in This Look: 

  • Frame Denim Le Skinny de Jeanne Jeans
  • Trina Turk Arlo Top
  • H&M White Tuxedo Jacket
  • Berricle Round Swarovski Halo Earrings
  • Aldo Kohlmann Platform Pumps
  • Badgley Mischka Dora Clutch
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Holiday Cocktail Party Outfit

Cocktail party outfit with jeans and fur vest
Glam up your look in jeans for a holiday cocktail soiree. Paige Denim

Gathering with friends over cocktails calls for an attention-getting outfit. Capture everyone's attention in this modern, high-rise skinny jeans outfit that's inspired by disco-era glamour. Match a flattering pair of high-waisted, skinny blue jeans with a sheer black blouse and faux fur vest. Black accessories — such as the inky cocktail ring pictured here — keep your outfit's vibe sophisticated for evening.

Items in This Look:

  • Paige Denim Hoxton High Rise Ultra Skinny Jeans
  • Topshop Sheer Black Blouse
  • BCBGeneration Belini Lace-Up Bootie
  • Zara Faux Fur Vest
  • Aldo Black Cocktail Ring
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Holiday House Party Outfit

Jeans outfit with gold shirt and leather jacket
Gold sparkle and leather adds edgy glamour to a denim party outfit. James Jeans

Be the center of attention at all your friends' holiday parties, when you show up in this glamorous update on the basic jeans-and-a-t-shirt outfit. Pair your favorite dark wash, skinny jeans with an eye-catching, metallic tee in glittering gold. A cozy, fur-collared biker jacket and studded flat shoes add some edge to this deceptively easy party look.

Items in This Look:

  • James Jeans Twiggy High Rise Skinny Jeans
  • Michael Kors Sequin T-Shirt
  • Warehouse Faux Fur Biker Jacket
  • Wild Diva Pointed Toe T-Strap Flats
  • Badgley Mischka Dora Clutch
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Work Holiday Party Outfit

Party outfit with jeans and a red velvet jacket
Red velvet adds a festive touch to sleek black coated jeans. J Brand

Can you wear jeans to an office holiday party? Even if your work environment is on the conservative side, you can create a sophisticated, expensive-looking outfit with leather-look coated jeans. Simply match slim, black coated jeans with a lacy top and fitted velvet blazer-- choose a jacket in red or burgundy, which is festive for the holiday season. Classic accessories, including gold hoop earrings and go-to black pumps, help you nail a professional vibe in this holiday office party outfit. 

Items in This Look:

  • J Brand Jake Skinny Jeans
  • Boss Sleeveless Lace Top
  • Altuzarra Velvet Blazer in Ruby Red
  • Michael Michael Kors Sequined Pumps
  • PalmBeach Jewelry Ruby and Cubic Zirconia Ring
  • Noir Jewelry Call Me Hoop Earrings
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Holiday Drop-In Party Outfit

Reindeer sweater and black jeans outfit
A reindeer sweater is festive with coated black jeans. Topshop

Tis the season when neighbors and friends invite us to drop by their homes, for eggnog and holiday baking. You'll look festive for the occasion — and feel pretty enough to flirt with any likely prospects — in a seasonal winter outfit of a cheeky reindeer sweater paired with trendy, leather-look coated jeans. Paying attention to your accessories makes this look easy to transition to other types of holiday parties, too.

Items in This Look:

  • Topshop Moto Leigh Coated Skinny Jeans
  • Joe Fresh Intarsia Sweater
  • Nine West Whynot Ankle Boots
  • Bling Jewelry Red Rose Bow Stud Earrings
  • Rachel Zoe Hexagon Bangle Set
  • Marc by Marc Jacobs Julie Cross Body Bag
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Holiday Dinner Party Outfit

Black top and jeans outfit
Black jeans and lace with red touches for a party. Closed Denim

The holidays are all about gathering with friends to enjoy the best of the season. You'll look evening-appropriate for all the holiday house parties in this sleek, all-black outfit in jeans that's so easy to pull together. Match skinny black jeans (with or without distressed details, depending on your personal style) with a sleeveless, black lacy top. Adding accessories in rich burgundy and gold tones is an elegant, stylish way to nod to the festive theme, while still looking sleek. 

Items in This Look:

  • Closed Denim Skinny Black Jeans
  • Topshop Victoriana Lace-Up Top
  • New Look Burgundy Platform Court Shoes
  • Michael Kors Lana Envelope Clutch
  • Akollekt Burgundy Sunflower Earrings
  • H&M Cuff Bracelet
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Holiday Cocktail Party Outfit

Black jeans and white ruffled top outfit
Ruffles add a special touch to a jeans outfit for parties. 7 for All Mankind

Here's how to pull together a skinny jeans outfit in just minutes that looks sophisticated enough to wear for all your holiday cocktail parties this season. You'll never look wrong in a pair of must-have, stretchy, slim black denim jeans, worn with a ruffled white going-out top. If you want extra coverage, a black fitted blazer — or a black leather jacket, if that's more your style — makes a perfect topper for this outfit. Lady-like accessories in luxurious gold tones and nude platform pumps dress up this easy jeans outfit, making it a stand-out for your holiday party-going.

Items in This Look:

  • 7 For All Mankind Stretch Skinny Jeans
  • Skaist Taylor Ruffle Tie Top
  • Aldo Kohlmann Platform Pumps
  • Chupi Maxi Swan Feather Earrings
  • Diane Von Furstenberg Evil Eye Minaudiere Clutch
  • Maiyet Empire Ring
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Shop the Style: Frame Denim Le Skinny de Jeanne

Frame Denim Le Skinny de Jeanne
Frame Denim Le Skinny de Jeanne. Frame Denim

Le Skinny de Jeanne is Frame Denim's signature skinny jean style. This is a much-beloved jean by fashion editors, for its classic skinny fit, super-soft denim fabric and the flattering way the material holds its shape. Stretch denim construction helps to slim thighs and lift your rear, while being comfortable to move and sit in. The deep blue wash pictured here makes a great, go-to party jean.

Sizes: 23-32

Price: About $240

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Shop the Style: Paige Denim Hoxton Ultra Skinny Jeans

Paige Hoxton Skinny Jeans
Paige Hoxton High-Rise Skinny Jeans. Paige Denim

We're big fans of high-rise jeans for the way they flatter almost every figure and keep your tummy contained (so helpful for holiday parties), while looking stylish. Paige's Hoxton skinny jean cut features a high-rise waistband and an ultra-slim fit from legs through ankles. You'll love the super-soft feel of these jeans, which stretch like crazy but don't bag out. Available in a variety of rinses, but I love the versatile blue-black wash pictured here for dressing up.

Sizes: 23-32

Price: About $180

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Shop the Style: 7 For All Mankind Stretch Skinny Jeans

7 for All Mankind Stretchy Skinny Jeans in Black
7 for All Mankind Stretchy Skinny Jeans. 7 for All Mankind

Women love and will spend on "Sevens" for good reason — these jeans fit beautifully and are so well-made, and they last for ages if you care for them properly. The designer's stretch skinny jean boasts a high percentage of elastane (3%), making them wear almost like a legging. We also like the mid-rise in front with a higher back rise, for coverage when you're sitting. You'll find these jeans in a range of blue washes, including the matte-look Elasticity Black, pictured here. We recommend shopping for these jeans in person, rather than buying online, as the brand tends to fit a size small for many women. 

Price: About $180

Sizes: 24-32