I Already Have an Elevated Closet, But If I Were to Start Over, I'd Go for These 5 Staples

As a shopping editor and the fashion connoisseur among my friends and family, I am always asked for style advice. One of the main requests I get is how to elevate a wardrobe in an effortless way. I pride myself on my own elevated closet, so I am more than happy to send my loved ones and all you lovely readers down the right path to putting together an elevated wardrobe of your own. Thankfully, it all comes down to easy key staples to get you started.
Below, I break down the essential pieces I would prioritize if I were to start over and build up my closet from nothing. There are five, in particular, that will carry you far regardless of the season. These standouts include polished blazers, sleek black shoes, effortless dresses, and other strong yet simple options. Scroll on to discover each staple alongside some visual inspiration and my roundup of top picks to shop now.
Polished Blazers
Shop Blazers
The skinny scarf makes this one a standout.
Sleek Black Shoes
Shop Black Shoes
Standout Button-Down Shirts
Shop Button-Down Shirts
Effortless Dresses
Shop Dresses
Smart Pants
Shop Smart Pants

Jennifer Camp Forbes is a senior shopping editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities including creative director and various editor roles. She’s a well-known shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups. Jennifer's lifelong interest in fashion led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion.
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