Wearing jeans to work is a tricky business. You don’t want them too tight or too casual, but they still need to fit reasonably well and be comfortable, or what’s the point?

I actually got these jeans for my trip to Afghanistan. They’re a little mom-tastic in that the waistband comes up past my belly button and they’re at least a half size too big. And, while they’re labelled “skinny,” I’d call them more of a straight leg — they definitely aren’t tight on my calves, and the ankle opening isn’t tiny. I also like that they didn’t come with a bunch of whiskering around the crotch (my denim pet peeve).

But, of course, the jeans themselves are only half the battle. I like to dress up my jeans for work with a nice sweater and flats (heels are nice, but if I’m wearing jeans, it’s usually because I’m going to be somewhere that isn’t practical for heels), and occasionally a blazer. I was obsessed with this blazer (and the cape of the same pattern) the moment I saw it, and it worked perfectly for the downright cold and windy morning we had yesterday. And I figured the outfit could use a little sparkle, in the form of the embellished collar on the sweater. Easy and comfy, but not sloppy: The work attire trifecta.

Jacket: Banana Republic (old, similar, similar), Sweater: Boden, Jeans: LOFT, Shoes: Target (super old), Bracelet: Henri Bendel (old, similar, similar), Headband: Scunci