Hi there! For as long as I can remember, I’ve always gravitated towards outfits with jeans. One of my favorite looks is jeans, a t-shirt or blouse, a blazer, and whatever shoes are in season. It’s an outfit that transcends trends, and it’s just so reliable. You can wear this type of outfit throughout the year with just a few changes, which is important when you’re looking for versatility in your closet. Anyway, a jeans and a t shirt outfit isn’t just for the weekend. I’m sharing a few of my styling tips for elevating this type of look for different purposes!
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You can shop my exact outfit above by clicking here.
Here’s What To Wear If You’re Wondering How to Dress Up Jeans and T-Shirt Looks
Quick Tips For Elevating Your T-Shirt and Jeans Outfit Ideas
Before we get into what tops to wear with jeans, here are a couple of tips I’ve figured out over the years of wearing this look a lot!
- I avoid distressed denim for the most part, and especially if you want to go with a so-called dressed up jeans and t-shirt look. While ripped denim comes and goes with being on-trend, it doesn’t give a classic vibe that you’re probably looking for if you want to elevate this type of outfit. In my opinion, raw hems are the one exception here, but I wouldn’t wear those to the office.
- Wear the style of jeans that looks the best on you, regardless of whether or not that style is considered on trend at the moment. Everyone’s body is different, so jeans look different on all of us. It’s fun to find inspiration from bloggers and friends, but before I purchase anything, I always try to think, how would that look on me? I’ve figured out that I love how straight leg and slim wide leg jeans look on me. I do have actual wide leg jeans in my closet, but I definitely do not turn to them as much because the other styles fit me better. Barrel jeans are feeling less and less trendy, and I also love that style! So, what style of jeans do you feel the best in?
- Check the inseam measurements on jeans before purchasing them! Knowing how this number correlates to your height is basically part of a magic formula for jeans fitting you. I’m 5’4. So, I’m basically on the cusp of petite and regular jeans based on height. I shop for both regular length jeans and petite length jeans, and it all depends on the inseam. A 27 inch inseam is my dream for flats, but I wear plenty of jeans with a 28 inch inseam.
- Don’t shy away from having jeans tailored in order to achieve the perfect fit. Jeans are notoriously difficult to find the perfect fit! Tailoring will help a lot if you find a pair you love.
- If you want to wear jeans to work in a business casual dress code, go for jeans that are medium wash, dark wash, navy blue, or black. They tend to bring a level of polish to jeans that a lot of lighter jeans just don’t have.
- Last but not least, use accessories to dress up simple t-shirts. A fun belt, the right pair of shoes, or a scarf will go a long way in changing the entire feel of your outfit.
What Tops To Wear With Jeans
You can wear so many different types of t-shirts with jeans! A plain tee, a striped tee, a silk or satin tee, and a cashmere tee are all good examples of t-shirt styles that work with jeans. I love a cashmere or silk top to dress up your outfit for work or date night. Simple tees and jeans can also be dressed up with jackets and accessories. I love these for weekends, but you can easily style them for business casual dress codes.
Wear A Cashmere Tee to Dress Up Any Outfit
Basic tops can be cute tops! A cashmere tee will instantly elevate any pair of jeans – even these funky stripe pants! My exact cashmere tee is sold out, but this one is very similar. I own and love Quince cashmere pieces, and they are also a great price. CLICK HERE to shop my outfit.
Rewear Your Cashmere Tee Under A Blazer or Jacket
But, it also works with classic jeans. I’m wearing it in a slightly different color here – this one is a true white and the one above is a light tan. I rewear both of them all the time even though they have short sleeves because they fit so easily under a jacket. This type of outfit is a good option for weekends, casual dinners, and school events. It feels put together but not overdone.
How to Style A Tee for Casual Dress Codes or Business Casual Dress Codes
This simple ribbed t-shirt is one of my favorite style of tops to wear under a blazer, leather jacket, or cotton jacket for fall and spring. This type of outfit is just so easy to put together, and it’s perfect for a casual dress code or a business casual office that has casual Fridays. You can see how tailored, straight leg jeans make this type of look feel more intentionally elevated than the wide leg jeans look above, which feels more casual!
Choose Denim Trousers For An Elevated Look For Work Or Date Night
Like I mentioned, avoid ripped jeans if you want to elevate your jeans and a t shirt look. There are so many nice pairs of denim that look tailored! In fact, there is a huge trend right now for denim trousers, which is what I’m wearing below. The pair I’m wearing below are old from J.Crew, but they have this pair that I saw in store and loved. While I’m wearing trouser jeans for a weekend look below, they’re perfect to wear to work with a cropped blazer instead of a leather jacket.
Wear A Suede Shirt Or Jacket
Suede shirt jackets like the one I’m wearing below are everywhere, and they make any outfit look so nice. They’re the perfect layer for fall and spring. I threw on this outfit to go out to dinner after a busy day, and I felt really put together. Stripe tops are just always such cute tops, and I love how they look under suede.
The suede jacket I linked below is different than the one I’m wearing above. You can see the one I linked below on me by clicking here.
Choose Tailored Trousers or Interesting Details For Lighter Jeans
Light denim can feel less formal and super casual compared to darker jeans, which is not a bad thing! But, if you want to elevate this type of outfit, I recommend going with a pair that have some detail on them, such as a high hem or sailor jeans. I love the patch pocket and large hem of sailor jeans. And I wrote an entire blog post on what to wear with light blue jeans if you want more inspiration!
Click here for similar jeans to the pair I’m wearing.
I also wrote a blog post on how to style sailor pants, which are the type of jeans I’m wearing above.
Wear A Cardigan T-Shirt For A Classy Feel
A cardigan t-shirt instantly makes a simple jeans and t-shirt outfit so much better. I love how they’re kind of a 90s vibe and back in style, but they don’t feel trendy. One of the reasons a jeans and t-shirt outfit is such a great option to keep in your closet is because it is so classic! This type of t-shirt is perfect to wear with a tonal or monochrome outfit, too. CLICK HERE to shop this outfit.
See more 90s outfit ideas here.
Layer With A Sweater In Spring, Fall, and Winter
A sweater and a t-shirt go together just as nicely as a blazer and a t-shirt. I frequently layer my most comfortable t-shirts under any cardigan like I did below. An oversized cardigan is a casual way to polish your jeans and t-shirt outfit!
Another one of my favorite ways to wear a t-shirt and jeans is to layer a t-shirt under a cashmere v-neck sweater like I did here. Cashmere sweaters are timeless. Layering a t-shirt under them gives you a little bit of an edgier look while keeping your entire outfit classic!
Wear A Wrap Coat
Who doesn’t love to hide underneath a cozy coat? This is one of the easiest things to wear in the fall, winter, and spring if you don’t need to take off your coat. This type of outfit is perfect for a coffee run or school run. While I love wearing a t-shirt under a topcoat, trench coat, or denim jacket, a wrap coat adds a touch of elegance to your outfit. My exact coat is old from Mango, but this one is a similar option that feels like the same color.
Add A Seasonably Appropriate Blazer To Your T-Shirt And Jeans
Blazers are always in style – all year and every year! They’re pretty much made for layering over a t-shirt or a tank top. Plus, I can’t think of a more classic piece that you can wear in so many different seasons. They also go with all types of jeans. I love this type of outfit all year. For spring and summer, I like to wear a simple white linen t-shirt or even a tank top under my lightweight linen blazer. You can see that type of outfit below!
Use Accessories To Elevate A T-Shirt And Jeans Outfit
Accessories and shoes are the perfect way to dress up your jeans and t shirt outfit when it’s too warm to layer. Adding pieces like a belt, jewelry, and sunglasses will take your t-shirt and jeans look to the next level! It never fails to surprise me how much better my outfits look when I remember to accessorize. I’m wearing this birth flower necklace from GLDN, which was kindly gifted to me. I love it and wear it all the time. GLDN makes every delivery feel really special with the packaging and note inside – it’s a really nice gift.
Wear Your Jeans And T Shirt With Loafers
Shoes can do so much for an outfit! Loafers are my go-to shoe to dress up a casual outfit. First of all, they’re so comfortable. Second, they work for just about any season. I love how these loafers and accessories made my casual t shirt and jeans look so much nicer for a family brunch. My loafers are comfortable right out of the box, and I highly recommend them. They come in tons of colors!
Pair With Ballet Flats
If you’ve read my blog before, you might already know how much I love ballet flats, and I always say they’re timeless. So, I’m sharing that sentiment again here! Ballet flats look nice with a lot of different outfits, but I think they look the best with denim. If you want an easy, effortless look that is classic, pair your ballet flats with jeans and a t shirt! This look will never go out of style.
Pair With A Classic Bag Under $200
Just because you’re wearing jeans and a t-shirt, doesn’t mean you can’t carry a bag that feels luxurious! Yes, a designer bag looks nice with jeans and a t-shirt. But, you don’t need a designer bag to help elevate your look. Understated luxury is also on-trend right now, so ditching flashy labels is easier than ever. The bag I’m carrying below was gifted to me, but I’ve carried it for about a year now and love it! It comes in several other color options.
Wear A Striped T-Shirt
A striped t-shirt adds a nice dimension to your outfit, and stripes are always in style! I have a long sleeve navy and ecru striped t-shirt that I wear most of the year with jeans. A similar striped top is perfect to wear with jeans, whether you’re wearing it by itself or under a jacket.
There are so many ways to elevate your t-shirt and jeans outfits. If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading! I hope you found a few tips or outfits you love. See this post for more tips on how to dress up jeans. Let me know what you think in the comments!
