Huge thanks to Nordstrom and ShopStyle Collective for sponsoring this post
Wouldn’t it be lovely to open up your closet and have a few tops that you can throw on quickly that make you feel put together? Today, I want to share some casual tops that are comfortable but look stylish and put together, and I’m partnering with Nordstrom and ShopStyle Collective to do it! I love having tops that are a step up from a t-shirt but not quite a blouse. Today’s tops are the perfect in-between that help you add a little extra style without feeling dressed up. And they’re all COMFORTABLE!
Nordstrom is my favorite place to look for clothes that feel really good, whether we’re talking t-shirts, jeans, work pants, blazers, or these nicer casual tops in today’s post. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—shopping at Nordstrom has transformed how comfortable my wardrobe is! On top of that, Nordstrom has fantastic customer service! They offer free shipping and free return shipping on all orders which means you can order things and try them with peace of mind. You can also order online and utilize their in-store and curbside pickup. You can also earn points on your purchases towards Nordstrom Notes, get access to free alterations, and more if you’re part of the Nordy Club. It’s totally free to sign up! Learn all about it HERE.
Now onto a few casual tops that are comfortable but look stylish and put together!
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. T-shirt Top with Special Details
First is a top like this, which is made of t-shirt material but has special details like the peplum, which makes it look way more elevated than a regular t-shirt. It’s just as easy and comfortable to wear, though! This is lightweight and great for this transitional period to early fall. It comes in 11 colors, HERE! I wear size S.
Styling note: Sometimes I have a bit of trouble with a low peplum like this, which hits at my wider hips, so I make sure to pair it with bottoms that have a slimmer silhouette, like skinny jeans or these slimmer straight leg jeans.
Speaking of these jeans, I shared them during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and they are now RESTOCKED! These jeans are on the thinner side, which I appreciate during this time of year, and they are fairly soft and have a good amount of stretch. I particularly like the silhouette. It’s a narrower straight cut, so the hips and thighs still follow your body closely, which allows you to pair them with a lot of tops that you would normally pair with skinny jeans. That makes for an easier transition if you are looking to move from skinny jeans to straight leg jeans but have had issues with tops! I also like the mild distressing on this pair. Check the jeans out, HERE! If distressing isn’t your style, there is a non-distressed dark wash pair that is also now restocked, HERE. I wear both pairs of jeans in size 4.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 4)
Shoes: Nordstrom (exact—I wear size 9; similar)
Bag: (similar, similar—pricier but genuine leather)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
2. Casual Cotton Top
Next up is a cotton top like the one above. Now, it doesn’t have to be cotton; it can be rayon, linen, or another casual material. The overall idea, though, is a top that is a step beyond a t-shirt but is not a blouse that would be worn with slacks either—it’s more casual than that. A gauzy top like this is a great example. The material keeps it casual, but it’s definitely a step up from a t-shirt, and you instantly look put together when you put it on! It’s lightweight and floats away from your body rather than clinging to you. It comes in 3 colors, HERE! I wear size XS as this runs pretty big.
Other options for casual tops like this in different styles are this Print Cotton Popover Top, this Flutter Sleeve Print Popover Top, this short sleeve woven button-up top, and this checkered tie front top.
You can pair the gauzy top with skinny jeans for an easy outfit, or you can go for a different cut such as the wide leg jeans I’m wearing above. I LOVE these jeans, BTW! I have been looking for an alternative to white jeans, and these are it! They’re off-white, so I worry way less about stains and dirt marks than I do with stark white jeans. The silhouette is fresh and modern, and they’re COMFY! They’re by Wit & Wisdom, so the legs are super stretchy, and of course they have the stretchy elastic waistband that I can no longer live without! These come in 3 colors, and I’m wearing Stone in size 4. Check them out HERE. Note that the legs do loosen up a tad with wear, but I wouldn’t say they get saggy.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size XS)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 4)
Shoes: (similar, similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
3. Short Sleeve Sweater
As the weather begins to cool, I’ve been enjoying wearing thicker short sleeve tops. A great example of that is this short sleeve sweater which I got during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! This was one of my favorite purchases during the sale, but it sold out so quickly. Glad it’s back! This sweater is really thick and soft. It just feels good, and plus, it makes you look good with any jeans you pair it with! It’s available in 4 colors, HERE. I wear size S.
This sweater also looks great with the straight leg jeans I shared in the first outfit for a more classic vibe!
Shop the Outfit:
Sweater: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 4)
Shoes: Nordstrom (exact—I wear size 9)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar—pricier but genuine leather)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
4. Relaxed Sweater
Last up for when we get further into fall, a relaxed sweater! You always need sweaters in the fall, and I personally prefer ones with a looser fit, a more relaxed vibe, and some sort of texture to keep things casual while still feeling put together. This sweater is also from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and it’s also now RESTOCKED! I really like the ribbed texture, the looser fit, and that it’s not a standard crewneck or v-neck silhouette. Instead, it has a wider neckline and dolman sleeves which adds more style. Some reviews comment on this being boxy, and I feel that it must be at least partially tucked to add some shape, like I did above. In terms of itchiness, I’d say it’s mildly itchy, but when true fall comes around, I usually wear a thin layer under sweaters to keep warmer, so a slightly itchy sweater is no longer a problem. I can also see this softening up over time.
If this isn’t your style, there are other sweaters at Nordstrom that have a great relaxed feel in different silhouettes and materials. One to try is the BP Recycled Blend Crew Neck Sweater which, if I recall correctly, is super soft! Another option is the Treasure & Bond V-Neck Sweater which has a more classic but relaxed feel. And the Treasure & Bond Off the Shoulder Pullover adds a lot of style while still feeling somewhat relaxed.
Shop the Outfit:
Sweater: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 4)
Shoes: Nordstrom (exact, exact in different colors—I wear size 9)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar—pricier but genuine leather)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
Those are four types of tops you can go for this fall to have that perfect mix of relaxed, comfortable, and stylish!
More Stylish Casual Tops that Are Comfortable
If you’re looking for even more options, here are a few more stylish, casual tops that are comfortable! Most of them come in multiple colors, so click through to see them all!
Make putting yourself together easy this fall with the BRAND NEW 2nd edition Fall Casual Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide! It will help you put together a lot of outfits from just a few pieces so that you can feel good running errands, doing drop-offs and pickups, and meet up with friends—and do it quickly and easily!
You’ll get:
- a checklist to create a starter kit wardrobe for casual fall activities
- style tips to help pull together outfits
- guidance for how to expand your wardrobe from casual to athleisure/weekend wear and outfits for going out (maximum versatility!)
- an outfit catalog with 30+ outfits
- a bonus shopping guide to save you time shopping, with straight and plus options
So that you can create a ton of outfits from just 16 pieces, build a super versatile wardrobe that you continue building on to have even more options, and feel put together while saving time and energy so that you can confidently tackle on everything on your plate this fall!
If you want to look good without the hassle or time that it takes to do it all, grab a copy of the Fall Casual Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide!
