Tips to dress up jeans for work?

[Doggy Mommy]

I'd love some tips on dressing up jeans for work. I'm a teacher, and my new school allows jeans (at my former school we could wear jeans on Thursdays and Fridays only). I love wearing jeans and would like to wear them 2 or 3 days a week in the fall and winter, but I want to make sure it looks pulled-together. I've been told that the moms at my new school always look very fashionable and pulled-together (even when wearing workout clothes) and I definitely don't want to look sloppy. My wardrobe isn't in great shape, so I need to go shopping.

Some additional info... I usually wear boot cut or straight jeans. Skinny jeans don't work for me. I wear a size 12-14 so ideas for tops that would work for a curvier figure would be great. I have jeans hemmed for ballet flats and love ballet flats, but need a couple more pairs of jeans and will hem at least one to wear with heels. My favorite store is Anthropologie. Next weekend my mom and I are going to the mall to get some stuff, and it has all the usual stores.... BR, Loft, Nordstrom, Anthro, Gap, JCrew etc. I have pretty much zero accessories because I really dislike wearing necklaces and bracelets.

Any tips or links?? TIA!

[amandasw]

my first thought is to go for button up dress shirts, cardigans, blazers etc. - things that seem more business-y and go well with jeans.

ETA: my go-to cardigans are from J Crew, I really like the Jackie (and I think there is a full length sleeve version)

[Doggy Mommy]

Love the idea of scarfs! Most of the scarfs I have are chunky knits to wear outside, so I'll definitely look for some I can wear inside. Blazers, jackets, and cardigans sound good to me! That's definitely something I need. I have an awesome brown JCrew blazer and a gray BR suit blazer, but that's about it, and my cardigans are getting worn out.

[carylee07]

All of the ideas above are great. I always search thru the clearance tanks and tops at Anthro that I will layer under cardigans for work.

I always pick up indoor scarfs on clearance when I see them at the Gap or Banana. Or ask for them for Christmas

I second the Jackie cardigans and you can find them cheap at the JCrew outlets.

[315bride]

All great advice above. I think the fit and cut of the jeans is really key. Straight cut and trouser cut jeans. You can do a boot cut too if the flare isn't too exaggerated and you wear nice shoes with them. Fitted but not too tight. Dark washes are always good.