Dressing for yourself seems to get more complicated as we get older. The graphic tees, high top sneakers and skinny jeans (although, they are making a comeback) may not be as flattering as an adult as they once were as a teen. But with the right basics and accessories, finding the perfect outfit every morning will be less time-consuming.
A solid tee, reliable bag and comfortable sweater are just some of the elevated fashion must-haves stylist Jasmine Snow recommends having in your wardrobe. She revealed to TODAY that these affordable finds are easy to dress together, and just as easy to pair with items you already own, too.
Keep reading to discover the best elevated wardrobe essentials, according to a stylist.
The best elevated fashion essentials as seen on the 3rd hour
Wool basics
Uniqlo Women's Merino Sweater
"You don’t need to spend a fortune to look polished and put together," suggests Snow. "A sweater is a classic essential that elevates any daytime outfit from casual to polished." Her favorite find is this Merino wool sweater from Uniqlo, which she says adds a "sophisticated take" for day time to evening wear.
Uniqlo Men's Merino V-Neck Cardigan
For men, this cardigan sweater "is a sleek, polished layering piece that’s essential to your closet," suggests Snow, and has an attractive price point to match. "Wear it buttoned up over a T-shirt and jeans to give your look a modern effortless feel."
Editor’s note: Snow’s pick is nearly out of stock in all shades, but you can shop a similar pick below:
Calvin Klein Extra Fine Merino Wool Blend Cardigan Sweater
Designed from an extra fine merino wool blend, this Calvin Klein cardigan is filled with warmth and coziness they’ll love to layer and style with. Another perk is that the brand says it is machine-washable and has a quick-drying design, so you don’t have to worry about the cardigan losing its comfort.
Washable silk
Quince Women's Washable Stretch Silk Shell Tank
Both Shop TODAY editors and Snow are fans of affordable luxury brand Quince, and soon enough, you might be, too. This silk-blend top "leans into the quiet luxury trend," the stylist suggests, and can even be machine-washed for your convenience. It's a great piece for layering underneath a blazer or cardigan, but it can also stand out on its own.
Quince Men's Organic Cotton-Silk Polo Sweater
Quince's Organic Cotton-Silk Polo Sweater is an upgrade from your traditional polo in every aspect. The sweater top has a silk-cotton blend for a buttery soft feel, plus the contract stitching "makes it a standout piece in your closet without being too flashy," the stylist notes. It's a perfect option for date nights or office attire.
A reliable handbag
Coach Outlet Mollie Tote Bag 25
If you haven't heard already, the Coach Outlet is the designer's secret site to score major discounts on their bags, such as this Mollie Tote.
"It’s true that a polished designer bag instantly elevates an outfit, but you don’t need to spend hundreds to get that high fashion look," explains Snow. "A structured shape like this one gives it a high-end feel with all the versatility for everyday," she adds, and it fits all of your essentials, too, from your phone to your wallet.
Loafers
Topshop Carter Loafers with Ruched Detail
According to Snow, loafers are the shoe of the season because they're polished and easy-to-wear. But they're also a great option year-round, and aren't just for the office.
The stylist is loving this pick from Asos, and says the chunky sole "gives a trendy, modern edge that’s perfect for work, errands or casual outings without sacrificing comfort." Plus, Asos is offering the loafers for 20% off with code PRES30.
Layered jewelry
Freekiss Herringbone Necklace
A single piece of jewelry is the finishing touch that can elevate even the most simplest of outfits. This herringbone necklace from Amazon comes with three sets of necklaces (for the price of one) that can be layered together or worn on their own. It comes in gold, rose gold and silver.
More elevated wardrobe basics to shop
Banana Republic Classic Linen-Blend Shirt
Button-up tops are a great styling pick for every occasion. We love that they can be worn on their own or layering over a basic tee, such as this affordable find from the Banana Republic Factory.
H&M Cuff Bracelet
In the season of love, this heart cuff bracelet from H&M is the perfect touch for your next date night. It's available in two sizes and two metals (gold and silver).
Old Navy High-Waisted Wow Flare Jeans
The biggest sports event of the year seemed to have revived flared jeans, but we aren't complaining. Old Navy has a pair we're eyeing, mainly for its flattering high-waist.
Gap Organic Cotton VintageSoft T-Shirt
Gap is having a moment, and senior SEO editor Jess Bender loves to shop for their basics, such as this classic t-shirt. “They are by far one of the softest pieces in my rotation thanks to their 100% cotton material that felt well-worn from the moment I purchased them," she said. "I believe I currently have about five different colors of this in my wardrobe right now.”
Leather Tote Bag
Commerce editor Vivien Moon calls this Amazon leather tote the "Goldilocks of bags" because it is just the right size for every day. “I was on the hunt for the perfectly slouchy work bag that would fit a laptop (and other necessities) while still looking cute enough to take me through evenings and over the weekends,” she added.
New Balance 574 Core Sneaker
We'd argue that a classic sneaker can dress up an outfit as well as any other shoe. This one from New Balance earned a place in our annual Sneaker Awards for 'best overall walking shoe.' A podiatrist we reached out to even said "it has a cool vintage-y classic old school look but is still modern," on top of being highly comfortable and supportive.
Aritzia Babaton Postage Trench Coat
Depending on where you are, a trench coat is a closet staple almost year-round. One that we are eyeing is this linen cropped pick from Aritzia. It's breezy, waist-enhancing (but you can leave the tie loose for a more effortless touch) and elegant.
Quince Cotton Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
We previously did a review on Quince's Cotton Cashmere Sweater, to which freelance writer Daley Quinn said she loved the sweater for many reasons. "It’s soft enough to be comfy, but not heavy enough to make you sweat profusely," she raved, and added that it's lightweight enough for tucking into your pants.
Rothy’s The Point Flats
You can never go wrong with a pair of ballet flats, especially one from Rothy's. Associate editor Shannon Garlin mentioned that while they're high in price, the flats are worth the splurge. "Once you get past the initial break-in phase, they’re super comfortable. The insoles are really cushy and are comfortable enough for me to wear on my commute to work and all day in the office."
Astrid & Miyu Serenity Pearl Charm Hoops
Quality gold jewelry can sometimes be hard to come by, but commerce writer Jannely Espinal suggested that these gold hoops from Astrid & Miyu are worth adding to your collection. "They have a classic design that pairs well with mostly anything, and you can remove the pearl if you want more of a casual look.”
Meet the expert
- Jasmine Snow is a stylist, on-air fashion expert and editor.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
