Let’s talk elevated casual tops! These are super helpful to have in your wardrobe because they make it easy to look pulled together without feeling overdressed. Elevated casual tops hit the sweet spot between a basic t-shirt and a dressier blouse — not too casual and not overdone.
These are the kinds of tops you can wear for lunch with a friend, church, a casual meeting, going out to dinner, or when you just want to look a little more put together that day. Pair one with jeans or casual pants, add simple shoes, and you’ve got a casual outfit that looks elevated and nicer than jeans and a tee, without having to do much else!
Today I’m sharing some elevated casual tops that are great for this fall transitional period, keeping in mind the warmer temps. If you’ve been wanting some alternatives to basic tees that feel comfortable and approachable but look a little more dressed up, these are for you!
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
Slub Notch Top
This one is GREAT because it wears like a t-shirt but looks way more stylish thanks to the texture and details. The fabric is a medium weight, which is PERFECT for the transition into fall.
You can find it in straight and petite sizes and sometimes on sale HERE. It’s also at Nordstrom if you’re looking for free shipping and free return shipping HERE. Wearing size S.
Shop the Outfit:
– Top (wearing size S)
– Jeans (wearing size 28 — soo soft and comfy!)
– Shoes (wearing size 9)
– Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
Floral Eyelet Split Neck Top
I bought this during the summer, but it transitions SO well into fall — lightweight and keeps you cooler, but can be styled for fall very easily. I love this top! Sizes are going quickly, grab it while you can.
Shop the Outfit:
– Top (wearing size S)
– Pants (wearing size S)
– Shoes (wearing size 9)
– Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
Quince Puff Sleeve Top
The puff sleeves and buttons add extra style points, and since it’s made of cotton/viscose, it should breathe fairly well if it’s hot. Make it summery with light wash jeans and sandals, or style it for fall with medium or dark wash jeans and flats. It’d also be cute with black or washed black jeans! Find it HERE. Wearing size S.
Shop the Outfit:
– Top (wearing size S)
– Jeans (wearing size 6)
– Shoes (wearing size 9)
Ruffle Sleeve Button Up
A classic blue and white striped tee with a twist — ruffled sleeves to soften it up. This top makes a cute outfit with jeans but can also be paired with chinos and dress pants for work! Available in more prints, too.
Shop the Outfit:
– Top (wearing size S)
– Jeans (wearing size 6)
– Shoes (wearing size 9)
– Necklace (get 20% off with code TAKE20)
– Earrings (wearing 30mm)
Ribbed Sleeveless Top
Sweaters and textures really make fall feel like fall. When it’s too hot for that, a ribbed tank like this is the PERFECT substitute! The texture adds interest and makes it feel more elevated than a basic tank, while still keeping you cool with bare arms. It’s super stretchy and comfortable, too! Available in TONS of colorways, HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
– Top (wearing size S)
– Jeans (wearing size 27 — these feel buttery!)
– Shoes (wearing size 9)
– Necklace (get 20% off w/ code TAKE20)
– Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
Next up, I have several short sleeve sweater options. I used to scoff at short sleeve sweaters, but now I’m all about ’em, lol! They’re great for fall transitional weather, especially when temps fluctuate from chilly mornings to warmer afternoons. And, they make it even more effortless to look polished than elevated tops — they’re often much more comfortable and softer to wear! 🙌
Fitted Short Sleeve Sweater
This one is classic, soft, and easy to wear with jeans or trousers for work. With jeans, it feels almost as easy as wearing a t-shirt, but the sweater texture makes your outfit look a little more elevated. And, it’s super affordable at just $19.99 and comes in 15 colorways, HERE. Wearing size S.
Shop the Outfit:
– Top (wearing size S)
– Jeans (wearing size M Petite — runs small in the waist but long)
– Shoes (wearing size 9)
– Necklace (get 20% off w/ code TAKE20)
– Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
City Blues Short Sleeve Sweater
This style is EFFORTLESS to wear—no tucking or fussing with it—and the sweater texture makes it look more polished than a basic t-shirt. This comes in 9 colors, HERE. I wear size S. I also bought it in Cypress but am waiting for it to arrive!
I also have several like this from Amazon that I wore a lot during the spring, but this comes in more colors! 😄 The Amazon one is a tad longer, comes in loads of colors, and costs half the price, HERE! I wear size XS in this one as it runs large.
Shop the Outfit:
– Sweater (wearing size S)
– Jeans (wearing size 28)
– Necklace (get 20% off w/ code TAKE20)
– Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
Dolman Sleeve Sweater
I love how easy-going this one feels! It has a relaxed fit with dolman sleeves and more room in the torso to help you feel pulled together without wearing anything too structured, constricting, or formfitting. Wear it with jeans for an elevated casual outfit or with dressier pants for work! Find it HERE. I’m wearing size S. Size down one further if you want it to look more fitted.
Shop Outfit #1:
– Top (wearing size S — size down one if you want it more fitted)
– Medium Wash Jeans (wearing size 28 in Seaside Blue — soo soft and comfy!)
– Shoes (wearing size 9)
– Necklace (get 20% off w/ code TAKE20)
– Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
Shop Outfit #2:
– Top (wearing size S — size down one if you want it more fitted)
– Jeans (wearing size 27 — these feel buttery!)
– Necklace (get 20% off w/ code TAKE20)
– Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
More Elevated Casual Tops for Fall
Those are the tops I’ve personally tried, but there are plenty of other options out there to check out! I haven’t tried these myself, but they have the kinds of details and fabrics that can make a simple outfit more interesting and pulled together while still working for warmer fall weather.
