sequin tee (S) – 33% off // MOTHER Hustler Roller Sneak (30) – 20% off with LETSCYBER // Vince Bianca slingbacks (8.5) – 30% off // cystal stud earrings – 50% off

When I want to dress up jeans or other casual pants for the holidays, I like to take pieces I already wear and choose versions with a little something extra—textures, subtle shimmer, or small details that feel special but still casual. Think a sweater with a hint of metallic paired with blue jeans, a fair isle sweater with velvet pants, or a fresh winter-white combo that looks festive without feeling fancy.

A luxe cashmere sweater in a pretty neutral with coated denim or velvet pants is another easy option, and sometimes it’s as simple as swapping in a bright red top instead of my usual soft neutrals. Accessories also make a big difference—a pair of sparkly earrings, a satin pouch, or a statement coat can instantly elevate a basic look. Overall, I aim for “cozy and elevated” rather than sparkly and dressy.

Today I’m sharing some casual, festive looks for the season—plus a few dressier options if you do have something special coming up.

Holiday Outfit Ideas with Jeans

I really love this sequin tee for those more casual holiday events because it pairs so perfectly with jeans. It feels like a soft sweater on the inside, so it’s cozy and comfortable, but the all-over sequins make it decidedly festive. It also happens to be 33% off right now!

I paired it with my favorite wide-leg jeans in a cool faded black wash and finished the look with pointy-toe slingback pumps to keep things light and just a bit dressier than boots.

SALE ALERT: These MOTHER jeans are 20% off today! Use code LETSCYBER at checkout.

Normally I’d reach for a faux fur jacket this time of year, but I actually like how this leather-look jacket keeps the outfit grounded and adds a touch of edge. I topped it off with crystal stud earrings for just a little extra sparkle.

EVEREVE Mack Zip Jacket (M) // Vince Camuto Sequin Tee (S) // MOTHER Hustler Roller Sneak (30) – 20% off with LETSCYBER (similar for less) // Vince Bianca slingbacks (8.5) (similar for less) // similar bag // crystal stud earrings – 50% off

Here’s a similar look, this time with a burgundy velvet top and black jeans with a subtle textured stripe that adds a little interest. I swapped the heels for suede booties, gave the top a front tuck, and added a belt for a little more structure.

Sadly, this top is selling out, but I found a similar option on Amazon at a really good price point. The crystal frame clutch adds just the right amount of sparkle, and I repeated the same crystal stud earrings to tie everything together.

Melissa Nepton velvet tee (S) (option) // AG Saige Wide Leg Jean (29) // Veronica Beard Kelby Booties (8.5) (similar for less) // similar belt // Nina Crystal Frame Clutch // J.Crew Crystal Stud Earrings // similar bangle

If you have an occasion to dress up your blue jeans, I think this next look is really fun. I topped these straight-leg jeans with a bright red sweater and a chocolate brown faux fur jacket.

This cashmere sweater is super luxe, and the shade of red is exceptionally pretty. I sized up to a medium for a little extra length. The V-neck is flattering without being too low, which I appreciate. It’s also 40% off!

To pull everything together, I bookended the look with brown suede boots and added a leopard print suede bag for a pop of pattern and texture. The mix of rich brown tones with the red feels a little unexpected and more modern than pairing red with black, which can sometimes feel a little expected. I finished the look with a bold pendant and hoop earrings.

Gap Factory faux fur jacket (S) // Aritzia sweater (M) – 40% off // AGOLDE Harper (30) (similar for less) // Sam Edelman Saige Booties in Cafe Noir (8.5) // Clare V. Petite Moyen Messenger in Leopard //  Jane Win pendant // Jenny Bird earrings

STYLE TIP: The bag you carry is more important than you might think. When you’re trying to elevate a casual holiday look—especially jeans—a worn, overly casual, or outdated handbag can bring the whole outfit down. Swap your everyday carry for something with a little polish: a structured clutch, a sleek crossbody, rich suede, hair-calf, or even a bit of shimmer. The right bag instantly makes your outfit feel intentional and festive.

Along those same lines, I paired this luxe red cardigan with wide-leg blue jeans (also 20% off with code LETSCYBER) and anchored the look with leopard print hair-calf slingback pumps. It’s not overtly “holiday,” but the red gives it just enough seasonal flair for a laid-back gathering, and the leopard pumps help keep the look elevated.

Reformation cashmere cardigan in Cherry (M) // MOTHER The Hustler Roller Sneak (30) – 20% off with LETSCYBER (similar for less) // Sam Edelman Bianka Slingbacks in Granada Tan (8.5) // cable chain necklace // Jenny Bird earrings

For a slightly dressier take with the same cozy red cardigan, try swapping the blue jeans for coated black flares and adding black suede booties. You could keep the leopard pumps here, but red + coated black + leopard creates a lot of contrast and can overwhelm the outfit. The black suede keeps the look more current and streamlined for 2025.

Reformation Ciara Cashmere Crewneck Cardigan (M) // KUT Ana Coated High Rise Flare Jeans (6) // Veronica Beard Kelby Bootie (8.5) (similar for less) // Open Edit Flat Cable Chain Necklace

For a super casual at-home gathering or dinner out, I love this luxe burgundy boat-neck sweater paired with wide-leg blue jeans and embellished Mary Jane flats. It’s such a great mix of textures, and I like the way the edgy casual denim contrasts with the blingy, more refined details. The whole look is relaxed but still feels special enough for the season.

Quince cashmere boatneck sweater (S) // PAIGE Anessa (29) (similar for less) // Sam Edelman Michaela Shine Mary Jane Flats (8)

SALE ALERT: These PAIGE Anessa wide leg jeans are 30% off! These and the MOTHER Hustler Roller Sneak are my favorite wide leg jeans. These also come in a bunch of other washes, too.

When in doubt, all black always works. I love pairing coated black jeans with a sparkly black top. This is an easy formula for looking dressed up without going full-on cocktail. Sadly, my velvet top with embellished mesh sleeves has sold out, but this sparkly balloon sleeve top is a great alternative, and the suede booties add a nice bit of textural contrast against the coated denim.

Style Tip: I try not to pair leather boots or shoes with coated bottoms because the similar finishes can compete instead of complementing each other. It’s a subtle detail, but it makes a big difference in how the outfit comes together.

Vince Camuto Rhinestone Balloon Sleeve Top (option) // KUT Meg High Rise Wide Leg Coated Jeans (6) (more sizes) // Veronica Beard Kelby Boots

Another easy casual holiday outfit formula is to choose a sweater with a little subtle shimmer or sparkle and pair it with blue or black jeans—like this taupe shimmer sweater with relaxed washed black denim. I went with brown suede booties for a subtle contrast and to keep the look a little unexpected, but black would work too.

My exact sweater has sold out, but I love this Shimmer Blouson Sweater in the Vivid Blush Heather or Rose Blush Melange, as well as this Shimmer Fuzzy Sweater in the Lavender/Silver combo. Soft shades like these look great with light-wash denim, or you can go really festive with something like these gold kick-crop jeans.

similar shimmer sweaters // KUT Selena Low Rise Baggy Straight Leg Jeans (8) // Sam Edelman Saige Booties (8.5)

I hope this gives you some ideas for dressing up your denim for the holidays in a way that feels modern and wearable. If you want a few more options, here are some really pretty holiday tops that work beautifully with jeans:

If You Need Something Dressier…

And if you have a holiday event that calls for something beyond jeans, I rounded up some beautiful non-denim options below: