How to Elevate a Basic Outfit
If you know me, you know that I love a good basic outfit. Most of the time that’s what you’ll find me in! There’s nothing better than throwing on my sweater + jean uniform in the winter. Having a basic outfit combination like that makes getting dressed in those early mornings super quick and easy! While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with wearing a basic outfit, you may prefer elevating those simple combinations.
Elevating a basic outfit can make you stand out (especially if you’re a grad student teaching undergrads or if you’re interviewing for a new position) and look more put together. Plus, once you start building off of your basic outfit combinations by making one or more of these small tweaks to elevate them, you’ll be putting together a variety of new looks you can experiment with and perhaps wear again in the future! Taking your basic, everyday outfits you wear all of the time to the next level can also help boost your confidence.
Below, I’m sharing five practical and creative ways to help you elevate basic outfits! What are your favorite ways to make your outfits more exciting?
How to Elevate a Basic Outfit
Add Layers
By far the easiest way to elevate a basic, everyday outfit is to add layers! Layering is not as easy to do in the hot summer months (or if you live in a climate that is warm year-round), but that’s what makes spring and fall outfits so fun to put together. Winter outfits are often full of layers (that aren’t always super cute) just to stay warm!
In summer or in places that are warm year-round, opt for lightweight layers (thin cardigans, linen blazers, short-sleeve sweaters, sweater vests, denim jackets) to create interest in your outfits while not piling on the layers. For fall and winter in temperate climates, pull out the wool blazers, shirt jackets, leather jackets, suede jackets, utility jackets, quilted coats, lightweight puffers—the list goes on!
You can also elevate a basic outfit by throwing on a v-neck sweater over a button-down top, wearing a cardigan over a fancy top, or even wearing a sweater over a dress! There are so many ways to elevate your outfits with layers. Get creative!
Dress up with Statement Jewelry, Accessories, or Shoes
A really easy way to elevate a basic outfit is to dress it up with statement jewelry, accessories, and/or shoes. I’m a big fan of wearing simple sweaters and jeans with pendant necklaces or big earrings! In the winter, it’s fun to add interest to your outfits by throwing on a fun scarf with a basic sweater.
Don’t add ALL the statement jewelry, accessories, and shoes—definitely only pick one, maybe two standout pieces (if they are on opposite ends of your body, like a fancy necklace and bright shoe) so they don’t compete with each other!
Mix Textures and Patterns
One of my favorite tricks to elevate an outfit is to mix textures and patterns in the same outfit. It’s super fun to do mix textures with multiple items in the same neutral color family (browns, greys, whites, etc.) for a monochrome moment. I am a huge fan of many different textures, including thick knits (cashmere!), corduroy, velvet, suede, denim, leather, faux fur, etc.
I love having at least two textures in one outfit and usually go for three or more (as long as I don’t feel like I’m trying too hard, ha!). You might be surprised at how instantly more interesting your outfits feel with some different textures!
Mixing patterns is fun, too—just make sure they aren’t competing with each other! Even just adding one patterned piece (striped, dotted, floral, snakeskin print, etc.) can instantly take your outfits to the next level.
Tuck your Top
It’s such a simple trick, you’ll wonder why you don’t do this all the time! If you normally wear your top untucked, try tucking it into your bottoms. I’m a big fan of the half tuck (only tucking the front of your top) and sometimes opt for a full tuck if the item doesn’t look right with a half tuck.
Tucking your top pulls your whole outfit together and makes it look intentionally styled, like you really put some effort into it even if you didn’t. Ha! The only tops I don’t tuck are tops that are too short to tuck, and I do love wearing cropped tops that hit at or just below the waist which eliminates the need of a tuck altogether.
Consider the Fit (+ Tailor if Necessary)
When you pick items to purchase and wear, one of the best ways to make sure what you buy will elevate your style is to ensure they fit properly! You’ll want your pants to hit at a length where they’re not dragging on the ground with whatever shoes you plan to wear. You also don’t want them bunching around your shoes/boots, either. If you’re petite like me, you may opt for cropped length jeans and pants that are designed to end just above the ankle.
Most importantly, make sure your items FIT and are comfortable! Trust me when I say that life is too short to squeeze into items that no longer fit; you won’t feel comfortable wearing them, and wearing the wrong size doesn’t make you look that size. I had one of the most significant size changes of my life these past couple of years, and I refuse to try to wear what used to fit because life is too short to force myself into items that don’t fit anymore.
Also consider fit of your other garments, including coats, blazers, tops, etc. Make sure the shoulders seam of your blazers hits at your shoulder (even oversized blazers shouldn’t be too wide), wear cropped tops with high-rise bottoms, belt your waist. Don’t forget the power of a good tailor—getting an item tailored to your body is always money well spent! (And remember that Madewell offers free alterations on denim if you’re signed up for their rewards program!)