-
Step 1
Wear almost any kind of pants if you're a man, except sweats. Dockers, chinos or a nice pair of dark wash jeans are all acceptable choices. The key is what you pair with the pants. A button down dress shirt is a great choice with the jeans but can dress up chinos or Dockers too much--while a trendy tee or polo shirt is probably a bit too casual with jeans, but perfect with slacks.
-
Step 2
Follow the same principle if you're a woman. A long, flowy dress or skirt with wedge sandals works well, but add closed-toe pumps and a formal hair-do and you're not casual enough. Jeans are great with stiletto heels and a dressy top, but these accessories are too formal if you're wearing a pencil skirt.
-
Step 3
Pick accessories that either dress up casual clothes or dress down more formal attire. Casual dinner party dress calls for a happy medium. Ballet flats or sandals for women or loafers or lace-up leather shoes for men work when the clothes are more formal. With jeans, you need dressier shoes.
-
Step 4
Keep make up and hair fairly simple. An updo is okay with some wispy locks floating down, or stick with a simple ponytail at the nape of the neck. Make up can rely on a palette of evening colors, but if you play up the eyes, leave the lips nearly natural, or pair red lipstick with very subtle eye make up.
-
Step 5
Pick a pretty dress clutch to glam up jeans or stick with a simple everyday bag if you've selected dressier clothes. Anything that holds a bottle of wine is a good bet.
