Huge thanks to Gap and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post
Let’s talk about how to step up your spring outfits! You don’t need to dress up to feel stylish and put together. So, let’s talk about a few things you can do to increase the style factor of your favorite classics this spring, and to do that, I’m partnering with Gap and ShopStyle!
Gap has some great casual items that look stylish and easygoing at the same time, and I’m excited to show you some of them! Also, Gap offers a variety of sizing, including straight, petite, tall, and plus options. They also have programs towards sustainability efforts, such as making products responsibly with their Washwell program which reduces water usage and making garments with 100% organically grown cotton or 100% recycled polyester which reduces waste. They’re doing some great things!
And, right now you can get 40% off your purchase with code MORE and an extra 10% off with code TREAT! So let’s talk through some tips to help you look stylish this spring!
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. Casual Tops with Visual Interest
I feel like I can’t say this enough: tops with special details instantly add style to your outfits—without you having to put in extra effort! “Special details” are any features that upgrade a piece from being a plain basic, such as a pop of color, a print, ruffles, peplum, puff shoulders, eyelet, or a modified or interesting silhouette, to name a few. For casual outfits, find tops in casual materials (i.e., t-shirt-like materials) with interesting details to instantly upgrade your spring outfits!
Gap has quite a few tops like that right now, and I’ll show you a couple of them. The first one is the top with an asymmetrical peplum above. This top feels just like your favorite t-shirt and takes the same amount of effort to wear, except its asymmetrical peplum and fun color make it look way more stylish. You can dress it down with slip-on sneakers or dress it up with wedges, allowing you to transition easily from casual activities to lunch with friends! This comes in 2 colors and is only $9.17 right now with codes MORE and TREAT!! Find it HERE. I’m wearing size S. Other cute options are THIS top with eyelet details, which comes in 6 colors, and THIS linen blend flutter sleeve tee.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Gap (exact—wearing size S; similar)
Jacket: c/o Gap (exact—wearing size XS)
Jeans: Gap (exact—wearing size 28/6)
Another example is this long sleeve puff shoulder top which also feels like your favorite soft long sleeve tee, but the puff shoulders increase the style factor instantly! This tee is nice and soft, and again, you can dress it down with slip-on sneakers and dress it up in a chic look with heels! It comes in 6 colors, HERE and is just $18.89 right now with the codes MORE and TREAT! I’m wearing size M since this is fairly fitted through the torso, and I wanted it to be a little looser to work better in a front tuck. Note that the sleeves are bracelet length, so they are a bit shorter than full-length sleeves. If you’re not into details at the shoulders, other great options are THIS ribbed henley and THIS ribbed elbow sleeve henley.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Gap (exact—wearing size M)
Jeans: Gap (exact—wearing size 28/6)
Other options would be something as simple as THIS vintage striped tee (which I’m showing below), or THIS better-than-basic sweatshirt that has a modified silhouette. Like I said, Gap has several classic and casual tops that have interesting details, so I rounded up a few more in the widget below:
2. Distressed Jeans (or Other Cuts of Jeans)
I know not everyone is a fan of distressed jeans, but I love them for casual style! They add so much visual interest to outfits.
In particular, I love the distressing and the wash on this pair of High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans. They aren’t super stretchy, but they are pretty dang comfortable! The denim is soft, and they feel like a good old pair of worn-in jeans. I also feel like they hold you in really well and help you feel confident and secure, without squeezing too tightly. I really, REALLY like these jeans! They have a high rise at 11” and come in sizes 24 to 35 and in regular, petite, and tall lengths. Check them out HERE. I’m wearing size 28.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Gap (exact—wearing size M)
Jacket: c/o Gap (exact—wearing size XS)
Jeans: Gap (exact—wearing size 28/6)
If you’re not into distressed jeans, you can still add interest through your jeans by the wash or cut you choose. Gap has LOADS of denim options, and they have an inclusive range of sizes, from 24 to 35. Click through the widget below to check out some options:
3. Pants That Aren’t Jeans
You know what goes a long way in making an outfit look stylish? Wearing pants that are *not* jeans. Mixing up your bottoms will change up your casual outfits and help them feel a little fresher, too!
I’ve shared this outfit before, but I brought it back to highlight this point. These pants are basically *ahem* SWEATPANTS *ahem* except they look way more stylish! They are soooo soft and cozy, with a fuzzy lining. Plus, I love the straight ankle-length cut, which gives the whole outfit a more modern feel. These pants come in 4 colors, and I own both black and white ones! One note is the white does show through a bit, so be sure to wear nude colored underwear. I love these for working from home and doing school pick-ups! Check out all the colors HERE. I like size XS best in these.
This white version would look really good with the tan/white striped tee I showed in the previous outfit. And the navy pair would go well with this navy/white striped tee.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Gap (exact—wearing size M)
Denim Jacket: (similar)
Pants: Gap (exact—wearing size S but prefer XS)
Those are three things you can try to make casual outfits look more stylish! No need to dress up more—just look for more interesting pieces in casual materials!
Did you hear? There are now NEW 2nd editions of the Spring Starter Kit Wardrobe Guides!
If you want to look good but feel like you don’t have the time, energy, or know-how to figure out style, this is your shortcut to having 35+ great outfits sitting in your closet waiting for you. (Wouldn’t that be lovely?!)
Each guide comes with a super short list of clothes, accessories, and shoes (super short to keep you from getting overwhelmed), style tips used by experts to pull together outfits, the steps to expand your wardrobe to make it work for a variety of activities, and an outfit catalog with 35+ outfits you can make from your new starter kit wardrobe (of just 14-16 pieces!)
And when you want to expand your wardrobe, you can add onto your starter kit seamlessly, and the guide shows you how.
Starter Kit Wardrobe Guides are available for both casual and business casual style, so you can look good anywhere, whether it’s out to your kid’s basketball game or during your important work meeting. Head over to the shop to check them out, HERE!
