One of our best sellers in September was this simple Heathered Ribbed Polo Top from LOFT. It’s nothing special in the traditional sense. It’s a basic cut, a cotton blend, in a neutral color. But it is surprisingly versatile.
I love a find like this because I think it reflects how most of us actually shop. We spend in some places and save in others. Maybe you’ll invest in a great pair of shoes or a beautiful handbag, but happily spend $50 on jeans or $30 on a top.
What I don’t think we always do naturally is mix those things together. We tend to mentally separate our “nice” pieces from our inexpensive basics, when really, they can make each other better. A beautiful bag or pair of shoes can elevate a $30 top, while that affordable basic can make an investment piece feel much more wearable in everyday life.
I love mixing those price points in the same outfit, and that’s exactly what I’m doing with these three looks.
So for today’s outfit inspiration, I’m starting with the LOFT polo and pairing it with a few other September best sellers, along with some new finds, across a range of price points. As always, you can shop my specific recommendations through the links provided, or simply use the outfits as inspiration and recreate them with pieces that work for your wardrobe, your needs and your budget.
Here are three ways to wear it this fall.
Look One: Better Than Basic
Let’s start with the most obvious pairing: jeans, of course. But what makes a simple jeans-and-top combination feel chic is the silhouette, the mix of textures and a few better pieces worked into the look.
I’m featuring the Banana Republic High-Rise Slim Straight Jean, which we featured in our round up of Best 90s Style Straight Leg Jeans. These were also a reader favorite last month, and for good reason. They’re just a great, classic jean in a dark rinse, with a slim straight leg that works particularly well with an ankle boot. They come in regular and petite lengths in sizes 25–34.
I paired them with one of my most-worn pairs of suede boots from Margaux, the Downtown Boot in black suede. I’ll tell you, I have yet to try on a Margaux shoe that doesn’t feel like a dream. These are expensive, but if you have the budget and know you’ll wear them regularly, they’re the kind of boot you can turn to for years. They’re also available in brown suede. But you certainly don’t need this exact pair. Any clean, streamlined ankle boot will give you the same effect.
I happen to love a suede shoe and bag combination, so I added this easy everyday suede bag from J.Crew. At $148, it’s reasonably priced for suede, and the simple shape means you’ll be able to carry it with all kinds of outfits this fall.
I also liked the gold hardware on the bag, so I carried that detail through the rest of the accessories. The Favorite Daughter Jordan Belt was another best seller last month; this is the skinny version, which works especially well here and is $88. I have collected quiet a few of their belts over the last year and am happy with all of them.
Then I added our favorite Jenny Bird earrings, the Mini Florence in gold currently on sale for $104 and, just for fun, a pair of Quay sunglasses with a subtle gold accent.
Nothing here is complicated. It’s really just jeans, a knit top and boots. But the suede, the dark denim and the repeated touches of gold are what pull everything together and make a very basic outfit feel finished.
Look Two: Shades of Gray
Next, something you can wear to the office. If you’ve been here for a while, you know I adore a monochromatic look. Mixing different shades of the same color adds richness and is one of the easiest ways to make an outfit look more sophisticated, regardless of what you actually spent on it.
Here I’m using the Ultra High-Rise Modern Slim Italian Lightweight Wool Ankle Pant from Banana Republic. These are offered in regular, petite and long in sizes 0 – 20.
One important note: the leg is slimmer than it appears in the flat lay, and these hit at the ankle. That’s worth pointing out for a couple of reasons. First, it’s still fairly warm here on the East Coast, and if you live somewhere with mild weather year-round, these are a great option. But if you prefer a full-length trouser, that would work just as well and there is a version of it here.
I happen to love an ankle pant with a loafer, and these are the Audri Glazed Leather Loafers from Ralph Lauren. I’m using them specifically because they have a slimmer, more feminine shape than some of the heavier, menswear-inspired loafers we’re seeing right now, and I think many of you will appreciate that distinction.
If you’re heading to the office, you may also need a tote. A good black tote is honestly everywhere, at just about every price point depending on the material and construction. I’m featuring the Ursula Tote from M.Gemi, a beautifully made suede option with a detachable crossbody strap. At $400, it’s certainly not inexpensive, but it was also one of our top sellers last month.
For the accessories, I wanted to bring in cool silver, which works especially well with all these shades of gray. The Anabel Aram Farrier Hammered Huggie Hoop Earrings are only $60 at Neiman Marcus. And this is your reminder not to write off better department stores when you’re looking for accessories. You can often find interesting, well-priced pieces from brands you don’t see everywhere.
The Paisley Silk Bandana from Anthropologie is another affordable addition at $36, and the belt is the Elissa Triple Keeper European Leather Belt from Quince, $58, with silver-tone hardware.
And notice that I intentionally kept the shoe and bag free of noticeable hardware. That makes both pieces much more versatile and lets me introduce silver here without having to worry about competing metals. It’s a small detail, but one that makes it much easier to get more wear out of your accessories.
Look Three: Gray Meets Chocolate Brown
Finally, something a little more fun and elegant for a date night or dressier occasion. Gray and chocolate brown is such a soft, updated color combination, and I am obsessed with all of the pieces in this look.
We’re starting with the Vegan Leather Seamed Midi Skirt from Banana Republic Factory. I have several of their faux leather and coated-fabric bottoms, and they’ve all been fantastic, especially for the price. This one is a midi length with a front slit and, beyond this outfit, you could wear it several different ways. Try it with a chocolate brown sweater and boots, or a button-down and slingbacks. Here, I would tuck the polo in and let the accessories do the rest.
The real star is the Marc Fisher Taupe Snake Print Pointed Toe Dress Heel, currently on sale for $105. Marc Fisher makes a great shoe for the price, and this particular snake print can function almost like a neutral. These will sell out. Wear them with jeans and a cardigan, a simple sheath dress, or trousers. They add pattern without taking over the outfit.
Next, the bag. There are a lot of oversized clutches at retail right now, and they definitely have a place, but not here. With the leather skirt, snake print and statement jewelry, I wanted something slim and clean. I found the BTB Los Angeles Monet Leather Clutch at Neiman Marcus and love it. It’s $238, so do with that what you will. For something less expensive, the Ryan Leather Clutch from Evereve is $150. It’s a similar size and shape but slightly more casual.
Remember, my job here is to give you options and examples. You can always take the idea and find the version that works for your budget.
Finally, the jewelry. The Lana Wood Earrings from Evereve are only $48, and I think they’re showstoppers. The combination of warm gold and brown ties everything together without being too literal. To balance them, I found a similarly sculptural and also well-priced bracelet from BaubleBar, the Naomi Wrap Hinge Bangle, for $42.
This is probably my favorite example of what I was talking about at the beginning of the post. The top is under $40, the skirt is from Banana Republic Factory, the shoes are just over $100, and then you can decide where you want to spend or save on the accessories. Nothing has to come from the same price point for the outfit to work.
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