I'm a 56-Year-Old New Yorker, and I Know These Basics Will Be a Hit This Year

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(Image credit: @squarepearls)

There are a few New Yorkers we consistently turn to for top-notch style inspiration, and yep, Elaine Davis is one of them. The 56-year-old influencer is often a go-to because she always posts outfit ideas that are chic and easy to fit within her on-the-go lifestyle. And while age should clearly have nothing to do with your sartorial choices, her over-50 fashion point of view is also of interest given that she's spent time over the years really crafting her version of the ideal wardrobe. With that in mind, we thought it could be intriguing to uncover the versatile pieces she plans on incorporating into her closet this year.

While Davis certainly opts for trend pieces, she builds a lot of her A+ looks with basics, so we wanted to focus on that category specifically. "Elevated basics are the cornerstone of my wardrobe throughout the year," she said. "They work amazingly alone and also have the ability to pull an outfit together. Each season, I'll sprinkle in the current trends that I'm loving to freshen up my wardrobe.”

Keep scrolling to check out the stylish basics this New Yorker thinks will be a hit this year, complete with visual and shopping inspo.

Knit Sets

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(Image credit: @squarepearls)

"Knits are my quintessential item of clothing, and knit sets are pulling double duty these days as loungewear also. I find the perfect combination of comfort and chic in them."—Davis

Sleek Blazers

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(Image credit: @squarepearls)

"A great fitting blazer is the glue that holds my wardrobe together, hands down. They're timeless and I style them with my trendy pieces as well as my classic ones."

Neutral Coats

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(Image credit: @squarepearls)

"I love a neutral colored coat, and one with a unique twist is even better."

Denim Skirts

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(Image credit: @squarepearls)

"Denim skirts have been one of my go-to pieces ever since I was a teenager. I love how seasonless they are. I own variety of styles, from pencil and A-line to asymmetrical." 

Hoodies

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(Image credit: @squarepearls)

"Hoodies have joined the basics category, and I couldn't be happier. They're not just for wearing with sweatpants and jeans anymore, they're being worn with everything now. I love pairing mine with standout pieces for an elevated look."

Printed Dresses

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(Image credit: @squarepearls)

"I always keep a few printed dresses in my closet. Whether it's a maxi in the summer or midi in the fall, they're the no-fail pieces that get me out the door and looking chic in minutes."

Next, check out items another stylish woman is excited to try this year.

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Market Director

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.