The other night, as she was getting ready for the BlogHer holiday gathering, our own Debra Roby asked Twitter for some fashion advice: "Can I get away with jeans and flat shoes at a party, if the top is really, really hot??"

Answer: why yes she can! And so can you, if you do it right.

Joe's Jeans, Bluefly, $95.00

Jeans are appropriate attire for all but the most formal of functions; if your office party or neighborhood get-together or book club happy hour is a festive-but-casual outing, then you should feel free to go in your jeans.

But keep a few things in mind, please.

Wear NICE jeans -- mid-rise, dark wash, no holes or stains. Do not wear anything that shows your underwear or looks like you pulled it from the dirty laundry or causes people to ask how the house painting is going. Do not use the excuse that these are your best friends and they know what you look like during a normal day -- this isn't a normal day, it's a special night out, so dress for it. A sparkly top or beautiful sweater will not look right with a pair of holey faded jeans. Trouser jeans are great with a dressier top, as are classic boot-cut jeans, and I am partial to skinny jeans tucked into boots and paired with a cool tunic.

Wear cute shoes. No Crocs or running shoes from two years ago or (god forbid!) flip flops (even if it IS still summery where you live). Put on some nice boots or some pretty flats, something a little bit festive. This is a party after all! Choose shoes that are in keeping with your top; if it is slinky and beaded, then go with some sexy shoes. If you opt instead for a beautiful blouse, choose some elegant flats.

Road test your outfit before the event. That sparkly camisole top may look great with your jeans when you lay it out on the bed, but you need to put the whole outfit on your body to get the full effect. This is especially important when you are pairing pieces you don't normally wear together; be certain that your top is long enough to cover everything when you sit and hug and dance, but not so long that it makes you look like you have eaten your way through 2007 (if you know what I mean). Be sure as well that your underwear will stay under there and that everything else that you want covered will stay that way all evening long. Please.

Check the weather. I have two rules for my children when they get dressed: their outfits have to be appropriate for the destination and the weather. That means a shirt with a collar for dinner out with my in-laws and long pants and boots when it's cold out. The same rules should apply to your party wear -- a very bare top is a bad choice in most parts of the Midwest and Northeast this weekend, but a really beautiful cashmere sweater would be perfect, either with jeans or with something else.

Getting dressed up this holiday season? We've got you covered there, too!

Fashion Verbatim has the lowdown on swanky holiday fashion.

Lauren Messiah, at StyleDash, offers some sound advice about how to wear metallics (hint: less is more).

And finally, StyleNosh needs some help choosing her own party outfit.

Susan Wagner writes about fashion at Friday Style and The Working Closet and Fashion Find. She currently does not own a nice pair of jeans.