10 Fresh, Outfit Formulas to Style Your Staples, From Perfect White Tees to Go

By Laura Jackson

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The dawn of a new year is often synonymous with change, whether personally, professionally, or in this case, sartorially. It’s also the perfect time to take a much-needed inventory of your everyday wardrobe—a refresh of how you’d like to dress for the months ahead, if you will. If you’ve been following, then you know the importance of having a solid roster of wardrobe essentials to rely on day in and day out, but why not go one step further this year and style your classics in the freshest—and most chic—way possible? From the perfect white T-shirt to go-to pairs of denim, we’ve mapped out ten must-have outfit formulas to follow. And better yet, you likely already have all of these classic wardrobe essentials tucked away in your drawers.

While tried and true classics like a crisp white poplin shirt or tailored-to-perfection trousers are the hero items here, they simultaneously serve as the ultimate fashion foundation for your other wardrobe essentials to also shine. Take Rag & Bone’s button-up shirt, for example. When used as a layering piece over a Skims white tee and COS wide-leg trousers, the look is instantly elevated to another level—and a cooler one at that. The Frankie Shop’s wool trench coat is a seasonless star and makes all the more impact when styled with Everlane’s cozy cashmere crewneck and an Altuzarra miniskirt. No wardrobe is complete without a pair of Levi’s—they’re the perfect denim pick to wear alongside &Daughter’s chunky cable-knit sweater and a pair of Adidas Sambas. The slip dress serves as the ultimate party dress, especially when styled with The Row’s sleek sandals and statement jewels.

This New Year and beyond, here’s to elevating your wardrobe essentials with ten easy-to-follow outfit formulas that are as timeless as they are on trend.

A tailored-to-perfection coat is an effortless and polished way to pull together a look, no matter what you choose to pair underneath. Elevate your classic coat just enough this year by styling it over a cozy cashmere crewneck from Everlane and Altuzarra’s pleated miniskirt. This all-gray outfit formula is as good as it gets. Finish the look off with accessories from Khaite, Loewe, and Sophie Buhai.

The Frankie Shop Suzanne belted wool-blend felt trench coat

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Everlane The Cashmere Crew

EVERLANE

Altuzarra Haki pleated linen-blend twill mini wrap skirt

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Khaite Dallas short Western booties

NORDSTROM

Loewe Puzzle small bag

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Sophie Buhai Tiny Egg studs

SSENSE

A crisp white poplin shirt is one of the many menswear-inspired wardrobe staples we can never get enough of. While wearing it on its own is a solid approach, keeping it open over a plain white tee is one of the best styling hacks. Slouchy trousers from COS continue the menswear aesthetic, while The Row’s black moon bag gives the look an extra edge. Small details not to miss include Aeyde’s silver belt and Porte & Paire’s two-toned loafers.

Rag & Bone Maxine cotton button-front shirt

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Skims stretch cotton T-shirt

NORDSTROM

Cos wide-leg tailord wool trousers

COS

Aeyde Leona black/silver calf belt

AEYDE

Porte & Paire two-tone leather loafers

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The Row Half Moon leather shoulder bag

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No wardrobe is complete without a pair of Levi’s, whether they’re vintage or brand new. While the hero piece here is this perfect denim pick, its styling counterparts are just as timeless. Take Zara’s camel coat or &Daughter’s cable-knit crewneck, for example. Adidas Sambas are beloved by the celebrity and editor lot—and aren’t going anywhere this 2023. Add a few gold accents to your look, courtesy of Laura Lombardi and DeMellier.

Zara belted wool blend coat

ZARA

&Daughter Aran cable-knit wool sweater

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Levi’s ribcage high-rise straight-leg ankle jeans

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Adidas Samba classic shoes

ADIDAS

DeMellier The Midi New York bag

DEMELLIER

Laura Lombardi Calle gold-plated necklace

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A high-quality leather jacket is the ultimate wardrobe investment piece—and this one from Acne Studios is a continuous winner. Offset the masculine style by pairing Proenza Schouler’s striped knit dress underneath for a take on chic workwear. Lug sole boots from Bottega Veneta toughen up the look, while Zara’s minimalist bag keeps it pared back but never boring.

Acne Studios leather biker jacket

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Proenza Schouler striped ribbed-knit midi dress

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Bottega Veneta contrast-sole leather tire boots

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Zara minimal flap shoulder bag

ZARA

Mejuri midi hoops

MEJURI

Missoma Axiom chain necklace

MISSOMA

Feminine and masculine all at once, an oversized blazer is effortlessly elegant and cool. Thanks to Hailey Bieber’s collaboration with Wardrobe.NYC, this double-breasted beauty is a staple in our wardrobe for a reason. Contrast its silhouette with a slimming legging from Totême. Embellished Mary Janes from Alaïa are top of everyone’s shopping list this new year.

Wardrobe.NYC x Hailey Bieber double-breasted blazer

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Éterne the rib tank

ÉTERNE

Totême zipped-cuff jersey leggings

MATCHESFASHION

Alaïa leather Mary Jane flats with allover studs

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Bottega Veneta Jodie mini knotted intrecciato leather tote

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Blue Niile straight eternity necklace

BLUE NILE

If there’s one item we can guarantee is already in your wardrobe, it’s a perfect but plain white tee—and this one from Hanes is a cult classic. Elevate the closet basic by pairing it with a top trending item: the denim midi skirt. Make it a double-denim outfit and layer Everlane’s jean jacket on top. Add a bit of luxury to the look, courtesy of a Cartier watch and Saint Laurent’s crossbody bag.

Everlane The Everyone Denim Jacket

EVERLANE

Hanes women’s perfect short sleeve T-shirt

AMAZON

Cos front-slit denim midi skirt

COS

Staud Wally boots

STAUD

Saint Laurent Le Maillon leather shoulder bag

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Cartier Tank Louis Cartier 22mm small 18-karat gold and alligator watch

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A little black slip dress is the ultimate party dress for a reason—its slinky silhouette is sexy with almost no effort at all. Wear this ’90s-inspired staple with The Row’s Bare black sandals, and for extra coverage, layer Reformation’s leather jacket on top. An evening bag by Khaite and Bottega Veneta jewels top off the look in total fashion.

Reformation Veda leather jacket

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L’Agence Serita silk slip maxi dress

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

The Row Bare satin slingback sandals

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Khaite Eloise leather minaudière bag

NORDSTROM

Bottega Veneta twist hoop earrings

BOTTEGA VENETA

Bottega Veneta Dome 18kt gold-plated sterling silver necklace

MATCHESFASHION

A nautical-inspired striped sweater is a year-round favorite amongst a handful of our very own editors. It acts as the perfect weekend staple to be paired with white jeans from Frame and casual yet cool New Balance sneakers. As for the perfect carry-all? L.L. Bean’s navy blue tote bag is a no-brainer.

La Ligne striped cotton sweater

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Frame Le Palazzo high-rise wide-leg jeans

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New Balance 575 Core sneakers

NEW BALANCE

L.L. Bean boat and tote

L.L. BEAN

Mateo pearl & 14kt gold choker

MATCHESFASHION

Saint Laurent Sulpice D-frame acetate sunglasses

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The Row’s roster of seriously chic wardrobe essentials is never ending—and these two-toned trousers are the ultimate piece of timeless tailoring. For continued sartorial success, tuck in a cashmere polo by Khaite and step into stylish sneakers from Totême.

Khaite Jo cashmere-blend sweater

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The Row Milla two-tone pleated wool and mohair-blend straight-leg pants

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Totême the leather sneakers

SSENSE

Nothing Written nylon bag

SSENSE

Wolf Circus gold ring set

MODA OPERANDI

Celine Eyewear cat-eye acetate sunglasses

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COS’s twill trench coat is the only trench to consider this new year. With an ever-so-slightly oversized silhouette, it lands perfectly layered over an Anine Bing striped shirt and Agolde jeans. Drop earrings are another trend we can’t get enough of—and these from Mejuri whisper chic wherever they go.

Cos regular-fit twill trench

COS

Anine Bing Mika striped cotton-poplin shirt

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Agolde Vintage Relaxed Boot high-rise flared jeans

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Gucci Jordaan leather loafers

GUCCI

Anine Bing mini Cleo bag

SSENSE

Mejuri dôme huggies

MEJURI