Dressed-Down Dressy Denim

Forget that inscrutable dress code lettered on fancy stationary. In the time since "Sunday best" was a relevant term, the extreme ends of the casual-to-dressy spectrum have tapered off, with today’s brand of cool girl championing the middle ground. Unless it’s an explicitly tux-and-tails occasion, dressing up has a more mutable definition these days, one satisfied by swapping in a statement shoe or silky blouse. So skip the inner debate: Yes, denim cleans up nicely.

Free The Shoulder
Normally, a flash of arm isn't anything to tweet about, but when the temps drop, sleeveless looks becoming something special. When worn on its own and buttoned up, a denim vest can serve as an undeniably cool top. Or you can keep it classic with a black halter and streamlined gray jeans. Just add earrings or pumps, and turn up.

The New Suit
After years of knocking our northern neighbors' national tux, we're owning our obsession with a denim-on-denim getup. Pieces in the same wash family look instantly put-together with a wide-brim hat. Or swap the chambray for silk and stand out in allover off-season white.

Black Magic
We're color fiends for the most part, but there's no denying the power of all black in crafting a look that's equal parts easy and elegant. Serve up sultry vibes in a sleek halter and a pulled-back 'do, or make some night moves in a silky button-up and inky-black jeans.

Put A Heel On It
For those of us prone to changing in cabs or office bathrooms, a shoe swap is an indispensable hat trick. Just slip on an ankle-strap pump or heeled bootie to make your denim feel a little fancier. Especially for those who fear the baggy boyfriend, a heel is the perfect elongating illusion.