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

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

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 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.
-
On the Streets of NY, It Girls With Expensive Taste Know to Never Wear Skinny Jeans With This Outfit
Swap in either of these denim styles instead.
-
My Most Fashionable Friends Live in NYC—They'll Love These 30 Wildly Chic Zara Finds
Cool new staples.
-
In SoHo, These Three Fashion Items Are Considered Every Fashion Person's Holy Grails
Worn separately or together.
-
Parisians and New Yorkers Are Stylish, Period—Here's What They'd Buy From the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale
Elevated basics, cool shoes, and so much more.
-
Downtown's Out—Uptown's In: Come Shopping With Me at Kallmeyer, Khaite, and Toteme
Hey, Upper East Siders.
-
This Stylish New Yorker Has Has Impeccable Taste—35 Chic Spring Picks That Have Her Attention
The dresses alone are gems.
-
I Have Proof—These Are the Shoes New Yorkers Always Wear With Trench Coats
It's NYC's spring uniform.
-
5 Activewear Trends I Spot in Every Pilates Studio in Manhattan
What NYC fashion people are wearing to work out.