New Ways to Wear Denim

The cut is playful, but when you combine cropped jeans with a work-appropriate jacket and a sleek tank, the total effect becomes more grown-up.

Jeans, J. Crew, $115;

jcrew.com for store locations. Cotton Jacket, IRO, $550; 305-695-0757. Cotton Tank, Daftbird, $57; 310-471-3408. Glass and Metal Necklace, Talbots, $79; talbots.com. Studded Leather Clutch, Cleobella, $243; endless.com. Leather Wedges, Sam Edelman, $150; jildorshoes.com.

No matter what type of hem you choose, be sure it hits at mid-calf. Go shorter and you may be mistaken for a pirate.

DL 1961 Premium Denim, $148;

dl1961.com for store locations.
Habitual, $189; zappos.com.

Give legs the appearance of added length by wearing a chunky wedge or platform.

Leather Heels, Tory Burch, $350;

toryburch.com.
Suede Wedges, Mark & James, $245; badgleymischka.com for store locations.

Tanks and other skin-baring tops amp up your sex appeal and balance your bottoms' masculine factor.

Jeans, PRPS, $189; 323-935-3154. Cotton Tank, Funktional, $90;

azaleasf.com. Leather Bag, Treesje, $415; 858-456-0800. Acrylic and Copper Plate Bracelets, Smith by Zoe Chicco, $36 and $78; 212-398-7363. Leather Sandals, LOFT, $80; loft.com.

No droopy drawers here! These jeans are fitted enough to flatter, but still give off a boyish edge.

Sold Design Lab, $98;

solddesignlab.com for store locations.
Levi's, $80; levi.com.

Don't forget jewelry and other girlie accessories, such as lace-up sandals or sweet ballet flats. Without these accents, even the best shirt-and-jeans combo could come across as too masculine.

Raffia Flats, Nine West, $59;

• ninewest.com.
• Gold Plate and Swarovski Necklace, Cocotay, $265; cocotay.com.
• Cashmere-Silk Scarf, Bindya, $130; 800-558-1855.

Tailored button-down tops echo the polish of these pants. Keep your shirt tucked in to show off the style, and make sure your toes peek out from underneath the hem. Only extras from a Hair revival need pant legs that hit the floor.

Jeans, Hudson Collection, $216; 561-832-1333. Cotton Top, Just a Cheap Shirt, $59; 212-387-8214. Metal and Crystal Necklace, Metal, Fossil, $95;

fossil.com. Lambskin Bag, Olivia Harris by Joy Gryson, $695; saks.com for store locations. Python and Leather Sandals, Alexandre Birman, $695; saks.com for store locations.

No matter your figure, high-waisted flares are always flattering. Let your proportions guide you when figuring out how much flare suits you. Wide hips are balanced by a more pronounced flare, while slim frames need less to make the fashion point.

Current/Elliott, $188;

revolveclothing.com.
Guess, $98; guess.com.

A narrow belt defines the midsection and gives the ensemble a final dressed-up touch.

Metal, Armani Exchange, $48;

• armaniexchange.com.
• Leather, American Eagle Outfitters, $30; ae.com for store locations.
• Leather, Gap, $25; gap.com.
• Metallic cotton, APC, $90; 212-966-9685.

• Pair your skinnies with a long, loose top. It gives a nice balance to the tight pants, and keeps you covered in the right places.
• Jeans, Genetic, $178; 562-856-3720. Silk Blouse, Rebecca Taylor, $275; rebeccataylor.com for store locations. Leather Purse, Jerome Dreyfuss, $670; 212-334-6920. Leather Sandals, Stuart Weitzman, $225; 561-355-8416.

Two distinct washes to suit all tastes-whether you're partial to an inky noir or pale blue.

Rock & Republic, $148;

rockandrepublic.com.
Rue De Jeans, $160; 323-651-3662.

Flat strappy sandals give the ensemble a casual and fresh feel while still looking chic.

Metallic Leather, Pour la Victoire, $218;

pourlavictoire.com for store locations.
Suede, Boden, $98; bodenusa.com.