6 Easy Ways You Can Elevate Casual Outfits

What does elevated casual mean to you? To me, it’s a relatively simple and casual outfit that I kick up a notch.  This month for our Over 50 Style Edit, Cindy and I are being joined again by Brenda to chat about elevated casual. It’s my preferred way of dressing so today I’m sharing 6 easy ways you can elevate casual outfits.

I would be remiss to not start with the obvious… posture and grooming. They can make or break any outfit.

Posture

Age, lack of muscle tone, and injury often take a toll on our posture. Many of us have also developed tech-neck and lead with our chin or simply slouch. You can level up any outfit by taking care to stand up straight. Lift your head and push your chin back so your ears are over your shoulders where they belong.

Grooming

Clothes with wrinkles, stains, hanging threads, or lint balls are never elevated so keep that sweater shaver at the ready and invest in an easy-to-use steamer. This is my favorite. While you’re at it, yellowing hair with frayed ends and chipped nail polish also put the kibosh on elevated style. If you don’t have time to redo your chipping polish, simply remove it because no polish looks much better than chipped polish.

Embrace neutrals

Don’t shoot the messenger here but neutrals do give a more elevated look than an outfit made from a rainbow of colors. That’s not to say that color isn’t fun and plenty stylish. It’s just easier to create an elevated look in neutral items. Animal print is a neutral in my wardrobe because it goes with everything.

Related – 7 Easy Ways To Look More Elegant on Any Budget

 

Here’s the same sweater blazer and pullover, leveled up with a few changes. Woven leather is more casual than smooth so I swapped the tote for a smooth leather shoulder bag. I changed to longer jeans that cover my ankle. Swapped sneakers for suede booties. Tucked in my sweater, added a belt then pinned on an old brooch with faux pearls. It’s still jeans and a sweater but more elevated.

Add the Third Layer

Adding a third layer adds a level of polish that elevates every outfit. A blazer, cardigan, vest, wrap, pullover, or even a shirt worn open over a tee shirt works here by adding a level of detail that elevates your look. If blazers feel too business-like to you, check out sweater blazers that move with you and feel like a cardigan.

Don’t forget accessories

One of my favorite ways to level up a casual outfit is with accessories. They needn’t be expensive to have bang for their buck and unique ones help add personality to your look. Scarves, belts, and jewelry provide extra detail, and simply switching to a more structured handbag can step up an outfit.

Shoes

And finally, footwear. We all love comfy shoes and sporty sneakers are hugely popular but it’s hard to create an elevated look with clunky athletic shoes. It can certainly be done, but the simple act of switching to a non-sport shoe will instantly upscale your look.

How do you elevate a casual outfit?

Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

Now let’s go see what Cindy at Cindy Hattersley Design and Brenda at 1010 Park Place