Monday Musings : Elevated Casual Outfits Inspiration and What I Wore

Elevated Casual Outfits

This is one of the J. Jill ponte knit shirts and Athleta Endess pants I took to Portugal and wore on repeat. I’m a big fan of knit fabrics that appear woven because they’re very comfortable while appearing more polished than sweats. These pants continue to be a favorite in my wardrobe, and I reach for them often.

My flats are machine washable by Rothy’s and are as old as the hills. They only make this specific cheetah print in their child’s shoe now, but I linked to their similar print above. My Quince bag is a favorite for busy days with lots of errands because it holds a lot and has a crossbody strap for hands-free convenience.

I’m wearing two baroque pearl bracelets and some simple pearl drop earrings that were a gift from my husband many, many moons ago.

As an aside…I wore this outfit about 3 weeks ago and am really shocked at how fast my hair has grown. I’m never thrilled when she first cuts my hair, but in retrospect, my hair looks better, a bit shorter. I may have her snip a bit more off next time.

I was heading to the eye doctor on this day to see if there’s anything else we can try for my dry eyes. Yes, there is, and so I am considering it. There’s this new type of eye drops made from your own plasma, which sounds weird but is supposed to be helpful. I’ll keep you posted.

I wore my comfy Talbots knit blazer over a navy Quince cashmere sweater and Talbots barely bootcut jeans. I wear this style of jeans a lot and have them in several washes. They’re just wide enough to cover the top of my bootie but not too long to wear with flats. My booties are a stretch knit in gray by Eileen Fisher and are very comfy.

I’m wearing my favorite hoop earrings, which are covered by my hair in this picture. I was in a rush and skipped a bracelet.

We try to take our grandson bowling every few weeks. Some days, he’s on fire, and on others, I feel like I’m doing better. Those are the days I wish I owned the ball I’m scoring well with :). I think about owning my own bowling shoes every time I have to put on the communal ones that are as stiff as cardboard.

I wore my black J. Crew Factory sweater blazer over a grey cashmere tee and my Loft wide-leg jeans. I’m finished with raw hems on my jeans so really like these ones. I bought them in petite, knowing they were on the verge of too short, then proceeded to unintentionally run them through a hot dryer. They shrank about 1/2″, so they’re only long enough to wear with flats now. Next time, I’ll buy the regular and have the hemmed…after I machine wash and dry them.

The cashmere tee adds a touch of coziness but isn’t warm. I’ve been buying these for several years because the price is amazing and they have lots of great colors.

This was a day of running errands and coffee with a girlfriend. We always do some “window shopping” after coffee so comfy footwear was mandatory.

My J. Crew inspired striped cardigan fits the bill perfectly (again) and I topped it with my J. Crew Factory knit cardigan. I’ve gotten more use out of this sweater blazer than I ever anticipated. It feels as comfy as a cardigan but has a more elevated look.

I wore my Talbots barely boot jeans, and my retro sneakers which have proven to be a smart purchase because I wear them a lot. They’re comfy and sporty with a lower profile than many athletic shoes. Of course, their black and ivory color scheme is perfect for much of my wardrobe too.

This was a car shopping day which means layers because I was going inside and outside often. I wore this faux fur vest I could take off when we went inside. The vest is a dinosaur, but the cashmere sweater is even older. It’s an Everlane sweater that’s so old that the label has different branding than they do now. I adore the color and it has survived the great moth feast at our house so I consider myself lucky.

My jeans are black with a flare leg that’s again, perfect over a bootie. These are sold out but this Old Navy pair looks similar. My earrings are the Jenny Bird puffy knocker in gold. I debated getting these in the silver/gold color combo but ultimately decided I had several silver earrings and not many in gold. These are a smart addition to my wardrobe because I prefer pairing warm metal with many of my beige and off-white neutrals.

I chose these taupe booties to bookend the color with my sweater. They have a nice shape with lower block-heel so they’re very comfy.

I fell hard for this washable cashmere blend sweater on my last trip to Athleta. The fabric is soft and weighty, with no itchiness at all! I am wearing a small, so it runs large. The sleeves are meant to be long but you can also fold the cuffs up a few inches for the perfect length. I wear it untucked because the ribbing at the bottom reaches above the waist, so it looks goofy with a half tuck.

These Pitsola jeans are one of my favorites. They’re high-rise, super soft, and have just the right amount of stretch. Plus, because they’re “cropped” length makes them ankle-length on me. I’ve had these Munro booties for many years and wear them a lot in the fall and winter because they’re water-resistant and super comfy. They have a zipper opening on the side so you don’t have to untie them each time.

Here are a few elevated casual holiday outfits:

Just add opaque tights, and you’re ready to go in this plaid skirt and sweater with pearl accents.

This Old Navy and Amazon outfit is classic with a touch of attitude and budget-friendly.

Cashmere, faux fur, and some metallic details elevate this casual holiday outfit.