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New year, new wardrobe? No, we can skip out on starting off the year with overconsumption. This January, in our Sticky New Year campaign, we’re focusing less on dramatic resets and more on a few instrumental changes that actually stick – because chances are, you have most of what you need, minus a little inspiration.
If upgrading your personal style is paramount in 2026, start off focusing on the staples you already have in your closet. It can be tempting to join in on all the new year conversations that usually have one thing in common: using the temporal landmark of January 1 to welcome positive change. A well-intentioned challenge can be cute, but there’s rarely a need to completely makeover some part of your life, including your wardrobe.
Even if it feels impossible, with styling, you can make almost any piece of clothing look fresh and stylish. Frumpy old jeans, when worn with the right clothes and accessories, look full of character. Think instead about your personal style goals. Think about how your clothes build your image, how you represent yourself in the world and how others see you in it. The most stylish people aren’t reinventing themselves every season – they’re refining a set of go-to formulas that work on repeat.
We spoke to our favorite fashion people for some best practices on a style refresh with the clothes you already have. Whether you want to dress more “seriously” or add more color to your repertoire, we’ve got the low-down on how to do that successfully. Keep scrolling to see the best ways to wear the staples you already have in your wardrobe, be it a basic button-down shirt or your frayed trench coat. Think of these as wardrobe habits you’ll return to all year, not one-off outfit ideas.
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How to Make Your T-Shirts Pay Dividends
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With a ‘Sticky New Year,’ the goal is building reliable defaults – pieces that make getting dressed easier the more you wear them. A plain white T-shirt can be one of the most essential pieces in anyone’s wardrobe, beauty and fashion creator Tahira Foster believes. “It's more than just a basic, but it can become one of the most powerful pieces in your closet.”
There are a few different fits for women’s T-shirts – including fitted tees, boxy cuts, and those that are just in the middle. It’s best to have each type for versatility, but if limited, pick yours based on your personal style. A fitted tee is great for layering, with a cardigan or even a dress, and for those who generally enjoy a fitted look. Boxy T-shirts tend to stand better alone. (Try Victoria Beckham’s popular boxy tee or a fitted T-shirt by L’Agence, if you need one.)
“I love pairing it with a bolder bottom like statement trousers, good denim, or a voluminous skirt… anything with texture, movement, and a strong silhouette,” Foster adds. “The contrast between the structure or drama of the bottom and the ease of the T-shirt brings balance to the look while keeping it modern.”
Try wearing a fitted T-shirt with elephant leg jeans, a cropped jacket, and leather boots as a formula. The top and bottoms are the base, and the outerwear and shoes can always be changed to tweak the look.
Graphic tees shouldn’t be left out of the convo. They can also upgrade any casual or elevated casual outfit. These are a great way to boast about something you love or care about, for example. Pair a slogan shirt with your favorite artist with baggy jeans or a structured blazer for some sartorial edge.
How to Make Trousers (and Jeans) Work With Almost Every Outfit
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Staples earn their place when they hold up across moods, seasons, and settings – and trousers are a prime example. Despite what is trending in fashion at any given moment, trousers are always queen. When styled correctly, they can go with just about any outfit, carrying you from working in an office to brunch.
Neutral-colored and straight-leg or loose-fitting trousers are some of the most versatile. These are the clothes gift that keeps on giving, not just outlasting trends but being the perfect piece to trends with. A great pair of trousers is a great base to any look. Make it even cooler with the following formula: a colorful or statement top, playful accessories (like a hat or jewelry combo), and unmissable shoes.
Telsha Anderson-Boone, entrepreneur and creator, has a go-to pair of black trousers that go with everything from a traditional and tucked in button-up shirt, a statement sweater, or a playful silhouette that’s either cropped, funky, or oversized, like a graphic tee. Her favorite is the latter: “I think a graphic T-shirt always makes for an elevated casual look,” she says. These are good fashion philosophies for your jeans, too. Try Levi’s
The Right Button-Down Will Take You Anywhere
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For celebrity stylist Diamond Mahone Bailey, a basic down shirt can be transformed in so many ways. She has a few outfit formulas in mind: “My favorite ways to style a crisp white button down will always be something that juxtaposes the look,” she tells The Quality Edit.
Bailey loves pairing one with an oversized pant that feels “ a little avant garde,” and, in the summer, she likes wearing the button-down top with track shorts and heels or a loafer. “I love the unexpected look of something a bit more athletic in approach,” she adds. In the winter, try a white button down shirt with baggy trousers and a kitten heel. In the summer, swap in neutral-hued jorts and heeled sandals instead.
Sweaters as… Accessories?
For any other clothing item, you can elevate it by what it’s paired with: like a trench coat with a cooler pant, or a classic shoe with an experimental miniskirt. This is true for sweaters, too. Outside of pairing more exciting pieces with your staple sweaters – like frilly T-shirts peeking out or statement jewelry – you can also make your outfit cooler by wearing your knits as an accessory.
Wrap your long sleeve sweaters around your shoulder, as if making yourself a shrug or mini cap, for the ultimate styling play. Spice it up, too. Instead of wrapping it the classic way, experiment with different knots and placements, including potentially wearing it sideways. Try this with classic cardigans or a brightly colored sweatshirt.
Timeless Shoes With Trendy Outfits
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The most important thing that makes a shoe timeless is how comfortable it is on your foot. If it leaves you with pain and aches each time, get rid of it or get ready for possible medical problems with your feet down the road. After that, there are a few key styles that can go with just about anything.
A neutral sneaker, black boots, and loafers or flats are the best staples in footwear. Each one is plenty versatile, offering what can feel like infinite styling opportunities. It’s easiest to pair classic shoes with more experimental looks, like a sneaker with a corpcore outfit or loafers with a bright mini dress.
Make Your Shabby Coats Feel New Again
Odds are, you’ve already got a trench coat, wool coat, or some puffer jacket in your closet. These are essential to have if you’re living somewhere with seasons, but it’s easy for a coat to feel less exciting over years and years of wear. To make yours feel fresh again, don’t think about the clothes you’re wearing under it, but the accessories you’re wearing over it.
For Anderson-Boone, this is her true secret to styling outwear well, especially styling her trench coats. She tends to focus on her handbag, noting that “a mini or an extra large bag always pairs well.” For bulkier silhouettes like wool coats and puffer jackets, totes and crossbodies work best. For a smaller statement bag, try Betsey Johnon’s caviar crossbody. For something larger, look to Proenza Schouler.
It can also be helpful to add color through accessories. Your jacket might just feel shabby because it’s a neutral color with no details or cool hardware to stand out. Add a scarf, brooch, snood or other item that’s either attention-grabbing in texture or in color for a spark of something new.
Final Thoughts
It’s that time of the year when we’re all thinking about our goals and habits, leading some to a total rebrand and others to fine tuning their systems. When it comes to style, the average closet refresh in 2026 doesn’t have to be all-consuming. In fact, you can probably give yourself a boost with what you already have. Refine both timeless and trendy outfit formulas, only buying what you need, to show up as your most stylish self all year long.
