Huge thanks to Nordstrom and Collective Voice for sponsoring this post
Styles have been shifting, and I know you want to keep your wardrobe up-to-date but don’t want to buy a whole new wardrobe! Well, good news, friends. I want to share 4 key essentials to update and modernize your outfits, and I’m partnering with Nordstrom and Collective Voice to do it. Updating just these four items will help your outfits feel more modern INSTANTLY!
Nordstrom is one of my favorite stores to shop at because not only will your style stay up-to-date, but your clothes will also feel COMFY, too! I have said before that shopping at Nordstrom completely changed my wardrobe to be insanely comfortable AND stylish. On top of the great clothes, Nordstrom has incredible customer service, including free shipping and free return shipping on all orders. And, you can order online and utilize Nordstrom’s in-store and curbside pickup. Plus, if you join the Nordy Club, you can earn Nordstrom Notes on your purchases, get Nordstrom credit when you use their alterations service, and more! Check out all the Nordy Club has to offer HERE.
Now, let’s talk through 4 key essentials to update your wardrobe so you can keep it fresh without having to buy a whole new wardrobe!
SIZING: I’m 5’6” and usually size S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. Jeans in a Fresh Silhouette
As you know, denim styles have been majorly shifting, and as such, switching to jeans in a fresh silhouette will instantly bring a modern vibe to your outfits. The good news is that jeans are a total wardrobe essential that you’ll get lots of wear out of! So, choose a pair in a versatile silhouette and a streamline wash. You will get TONS of use out of it and have modern-looking outfits!
I’m personally loving flares this season, whether full-length or ankle-length kick flares. Flares flatter your shape and help balance out a curvier top half and hips. This is why so many women love this cut!
(And yes, you can wear skinny jeans, of course! Those are classic and timeless. BUT, if you want to try other cuts, it is a very impactful way to instantly update outfits with a fresher feel.)
These flares are from my favorite denim brand, Wit & Wisdom. They’re really stretchy and soft, they’re very, very comfortable, and they have an elastic strip in the waistband to make them EXTRA comfortable! I love that I can sit all day and move around freely and comfortably in them. Find them HERE. I wear size 6.
Also, this knit top is REALLY SOFT and COZY! It’s so comfortable but looks really polished and put together – the best of both worlds! Find it in 5 colors, HERE. I’m wearing size S in Oatmeal Light Heather.
Lastly, these boots are ON SALE for 55% OFF and only $39.97 right now! The upper is really soft, and the heel is decently low. They come in both tan and taupe, and both colors are great! Find them HERE. I wear them in size 8.5. You can see me wearing them in other outfits HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size S)
Jeans: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 6)
Boots: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 8.5)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nordstrom (similar)
2. Shorter Cardigans
With the shift in denim styles, there has also been a shift in cardigan lengths. You can, of course, wear whatever length you want to, but if you’d like to have a more modern feel to your outfits, wear shorter ones.
Cardigans that hit at around your hips or even higher are great, like the one I’m wearing here. This cardigan is really soft, and I like that the sleeves aren’t really bulky like some cardigans in this style tend to be. Also notable is the large buttons, which add a fun detail that is also very popular right now. This cardigan comes in 5 colors, HERE. I’m wearing size XS, as this is quite oversized.
One note is that the pockets do stick out a bit. If you have wider hips and don’t want to add bulk there, then you might want to pass on this. If you have narrower hips compared to your top half, then the pockets shouldn’t be an issue.
BTW, this top comes in TONS of prints, and several of them are on sale right now. This top is great for elevated casual and work outfits. See all the prints HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size S)
Cardigan: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size XS)
Jeans: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 6)
Shoes: Nordstrom (similar)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nordstrom (similar)
3. Sneakers
Another key essential that will TOTALLY update and modernize your outfits is sneakers! You can go for a classic slip-on style like THIS, or a lace-up style like THIS, which is also classic. Or, if you want to add a more modern flare, try a sneaker like THIS or like the sneakers I’m wearing here. You can update the same old outfits that you usually wear simply by updating your sneakers!
I’ll share a few more sneakers to try in the widget below.
I’m wearing kick flares by Wit & Wisdom here, and it’s no surprise that they are COMFORTABLE and STRETCHY, complete with elastic in the waistband. Check them out HERE. I wear size 6.
Lastly, this sweater is relaxed but stylish. It’s really lightweight and good for the warmer parts of fall. It’s also a bit shorter which helps it work a bit better with more voluminous bottoms. Find it in 4 colors, HERE. I sized up to M.
Shop the Outfit:
Sweater: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size M)
Jeans: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 6)
Sneakers: Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 8.5)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nordstrom (similar)
Shop Updated Sneakers:
4. Boots With a Higher Shaft
The last of our key essentials to update and modernize your outfits is to opt for boots with a higher shaft. For a long time, boots with a really low shaft were trending, but now, wearing ones with a higher shaft will INSTANTLY make your outfits look more up-to-date.
This is helpful on a practical level, too, because boots with a higher shaft keep your ankles warm, even when wearing ankle-length jeans!
Here I’m wearing the same ankle-length jeans that I showed in the second outfit above, but because the shaft of the boot is taller, my ankles won’t be exposed in colder weather.
These boots are a great casual option from a brand that is known for comfort. The heel isn’t too high, and the sole is rubber which is more comfortable to walk on than a wooden heel. These boots are also WATER RESISTANT, so if it ends up raining, you don’t have to worry about figuring out a new shoe option! These boots come in 3 colors, HERE. I wear size 9.
Lastly, these crop bootcut jeans are by NYDJ, and they are COMFY and STRETCHY, but they also feel relatively thick and supportive. Very helpful! Plus, they’re ON SALE right now and SUCH a good price for how good these jeans are! Find them HERE. I wear size 6.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size S)
Jeans: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 6)
Boots: c/o Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 9)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nordstrom (similar)
These are 4 key essentials to update and modernize outfits. If you swap these pieces into any of your old outfits that you usually wear, those outfits will instantly have a modern touch – and you didn’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe to do it!
Outfits you can copy >>> Figuring out what to wear every day!
Even better? Having a WHOLE SEASON of outfits you can copy!
The new Fall Wardrobe & Outfit Guides are NOW AVAILABLE in the PMT Shop!
With a booklet of outfit ideas at your fingertips, you can stop spending energy on what to wear and move on to doing things you love!
Plus, with outfit ideas galore, you’ll get more use out of what’s in your closet, save money not buying things you don’t need, and have fun with your wardrobe all season long.
Get the Fall Wardrobe & Outfit Guides HERE.
