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5 Elegant Outfits You Need In Your Wardrobe

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Are you looking for the perfect elegant outfits to level up your style? These classy looks are destined to become your go-to’s when you want to look your best!

elegant outfits

Creating elegant outfits is easy if you plan your wardrobe and make smart purchases. Elegant dressing requires daily practice around creating an overall elegant aesthetic in both casual and formal environments.

The best way to create elegant outfits is to have a set of go-to looks ready for any occasion that calls, be it casual, work, summer, winter, or travel. Here are five classic looks to jumpstart your journey into dressing elegantly every day.

This post is all about elegant outfits.

Elegant Outfits For Ladies

1. The Shirt Dress

If you’re looking for one of the quintessential elegant outfits, look no further than the shirt dress. Shirt dresses have been around for over a century, but the biggest evolution was when Christian Dior introduced the “shirtwaist” dress with his New Look collection in 1947. This epitome of classic wardrobe essentials can be styled day or night, with different accessories to dress it up or down.

summer elegant outfits

The shirtdress is perfect to create elegant classy outfits because of the classic collar and neckline and the feminine A-line cut, which is flattering on most figures. The best style to invest in on a budget has a classic collar style, buttons down the center, an A-line or cinched waist style, in a knee-length or longer cut.

Pro-Tip: Change the aesthetic of your look by swapping out the fabric tie on your dress and with a stylish waist belt.

A sleeveless shirt dress is perfect as a summer day dress for a wedding guest outfit or styled with a cardigan in the springtime. Long sleeves are best for fall and winter when you can fit a thin, insulating layer underneath, and a structured jacket on top.

Pair yours with pumps, flats, or sandals in the warmer months, or a pair of tall boots in the cooler months. Don’t forget to add any of the following summer wardrobe essentials to your look as well: a handbag, hat, sunglasses, or neck scarf.

Elegant Shirt Dresses

2. Camel Or Tan Separates

The best method to create elegant work outfits is by steering away from the typical black pieces. Black clothing and the business world are best friends because of the versatility and aversion to mishaps like stains.

Due to this, a black outfit will not make you stand out at the office if you’re going for that promotion (obviously it should be based on merit, but we live in a world where looks are important and a well-put-together outfit speaks volumes in my experience). By the way, I love black outfits, so no shade there-I’m simply encouraging you to switch it up!

Enter an outfit of tan or camel-colored separates, such as a blazer and workwear trousers. It’s a medium shade, making it perfect for year-round wear and neutral is the sense that it styles with most other colors and prints. Camel outfits look best with footwear in the same or similar color family to create a tonal look.

elegant outfits for ladies
If you’re a soft autumn, a camel is one of your best colors, so definitely give it a try.

Camel looks best if your skin undertone is warm because it also has a warm undertone, complimenting the seasons of fall and spring. If you’re complexion is cool-leaning, opt for a cool camel or tan with an ashy, mushroom, or taupe undertone.

Elegant Camel Outfits

3. The All White Outfit

There’s nothing that says elegant winter outfits like a set of winter whites. There’s something pure and beautiful about freshly fallen snow and an all-white winter look creates the same vibe. On the other side, an all-white spring or summer outfit looks fresh, airy, and innocent.

elegant outfits with jeans

There’s also something about the all-white ensemble that looks expensive, regardless of what you paid. And, that’s one of the keys to elegant style: when your outfit looks like it cost more than what you actually spent.

Gorgeous white sweater dress creates an elevated, everyday outfit for winter because the material is so cozy. Summer is all about the LWD, or little white dress. Spring brings lighter trousers and knit jackets. Fall for a crisp, white shirt layered under a v-neck sweater with a pair of white jeans and beige boots.

If white dulls your cool-toned complexion, try ivory or cream to create equally as elegant outfits instead.

Elegant White Outfits

4. Matching Linen Set

A matching linen set is summer’s answer to casual elegant outfits. Linen is extremely lightweight and breathable in the heat. The fabric hangs loosely without clinging to your body. The natural qualities of linen give the fabric an elevated look despite the tendency to crease when wearing. Make sure use an iron or fabric steamer before styling, so you start off with a “clean slate”.

elegant white outfits
Ready to go to my friend’s pool (ie. pool resort–they literally have seven pools there lol!)

Classy linen outfits are the answer to beach outfits, cover-ups, casual summer outfits, vacation outfits, casual date night outfits, everyday looks, and even loungewear. I personally love linen pants because they provide an easy day-to-night look temps tend to drop in the evening where I live.

Chic Linen Outfits

5. Stretchy Black Separates With A Cardigan

Elegant travel outfits enable you to travel in style while being comfortable. Matching black separates like a sleeveless top with wide-leg pants or culottes are perfect for an airplane and travel wardrobe capsule. The black avoids anything staining while the cropped pants won’t touch the floor in the bathroom. Tie a cardigan around your shoulders that you can layer with when it gets cool in-flight.

This look is also great when traveling on land or sightseeing. I’m reminded of Marisa Tomei’s character in the 1994 romantic comedy, Only You. This is a great movie to watch for a mix of casual chic style inspiration. The clip below shows her outfit, styled as a slinky black jumpsuit and an ivory cardigan–absolute perfection!

My go-to ’90s romantic comedy…definitely check it out if you haven’t seen it yet!

Opt for stretchy separates in a polyester or blend for maximum comfort and style (as opposed to a cotton or lightweight jersey material that wrinkles and fades with washing). This outfit pairs with flats, boots, sandals, and even white sneakers, as shown in the video clip.

Nylah Pants
Structured, Ponte-knit fabric elevates these longer, cropped pants.
Nylah Pant from Marcella.

Elegant Travel Outfits

I hope this guide was inspiring for how to level-up your everyday outfits with an elegant aesthetic. True elegance is about knowing the timeless wardrobe essentials to invest in and how to style them to create chic looks, no matter what the occasion. Happy styling friends!

This post was all about elegant outfits

Related Posts:

  • 7 French Dresses You Need This Spring
  • The Secret To Elegant Classy Style
casual elegant outfits

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Post Dated: May 13, 2024
Category: What To Wear
Tags: outfits

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Just a girl, standing in front of a closet, deciding what to wear next. When I'm not planning my next outfit, I'm enjoying live music, dancing with my partner, and deep conversations. Read more...

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