Elevated Basics with Ann Taylor

This post is sponsored by Ann Taylor and ShopStyle. The product selections are my own, and I only highlight and promote pieces that I truly love.  Thank you for supporting the brands that support Sheaffer Told Me To.

I’m thrilled to be partnering with Ann Taylor today, and I am very excited to share my finds with you!  What makes today extra fun is that the post looks quite a bit different than I had initially envisioned when I accepted it, but I love the direction it took.  Aren’t we all learning to just roll with things right now?  When Ann Taylor first reached out to partner together, it was before our world had changed due to the pandemic.

I had originally planned to break out of my comfort zone and share several  business casual outfits.  I always have readers asking for more office outfit inspiration, and I knew Ann Taylor would provide me with tons of great options.

Whether getting dressed for the office or a special occasion, I always feel confident that Ann Taylor should be my first place to shop for classic pieces. But when I changed direction for today’s post, I found that Ann Taylor also has incredible casual pieces!

The pieces I’m featuring today are what I’ve decided to classify as elevated basics.  You’re going to see several jeans and tee outfits today, but the tees are all a little special.  The quality is amazing, and they aren’t your ordinary tees, which is what I love about them.  The fabric and/or the design make them more than just a regular ol’ t-shirt.

OUTFIT #1

On the days I get out of pjs and athleisure, you can find me wearing either a t-shirt and jeans or a t-shirt and cut off shorts.  It’s my uniform of sorts, and I love how I can be wearing a tee and jeans, but still look totally put together with the awesome tees that are available at Ann Taylor!

This gorgeous pink color is what initially drew me to this tee.

smocked waist tee / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

But the smocked waist detail and the little ruffle are what closed the deal for me.  It’s 100% soft pima cotton, and obviously comfortable to wear, but it looks so much better than just a regular old v neck or crew neck tee.  The details make it special and bring the outfit up several notches.  For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

smocked waist tee / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

As I think many of you have been finding out lately, accessories can really make your outfit, especially when on Zoom calls.  With these earrings and this necklace, I look totally put together, while exerting very minimal effort.

The earrings  are light as a feather and so colorful.  White, yellow, coral, and purple combine together in 3 tiers to make up this darling little earring.

The necklace is one that I feel could be worn with so many different outfits.  I dressed up the tee and jeans with the addition of it, but it would easily go with much dressier outfits as well.

smocked waist tee / earrings / necklace

It’s an outfit that works for an office meeting (from the comfort of your home), but you can also be comfortable in it just hanging out around your house all day long.

smocked waist tee / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

The jeans are awesome.  They are a really dark wash and a tad high waisted (making them super flattering), but they are still appropriate for Spring and Summer because of their cropped length and chewed hem.

And I’m telling you, they are like butter.  They are super stretchy, but they hold their shape, and they basically feel like leggings when wearing them.  In fact, they are so comfy that you could totally curl up and take a nap while wearing them.  #justkidding #iwouldnever #exceptiwould #okayidid  I napped HARD in these babies.

For size reference, I’m wearing a 4P.  I wanted a petite to make sure they would be a cropped length on my 5’4″ frame, and although I would usually wear a 6P in jeans, the 4P were great in these because of the really great stretch.  The online description says that they are performance stretch denim that sculpts, shapes and supports all day long.  I BELIEVE IT.

smocked waist tee / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

I’m always about jeans and a tee, especially when the tee is this cute.

smocked waist tee / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

And just for fun, a little behind the scenes for you, because the dogs felt very strongly about being a part of this campaign.  Originally both dogs were under my feet, but Chris kept saying their names to get them to look up. Charlie took that as an invitation for a belly rub, so he headed to Chris and rolled over on his back to get ready to receive the rub he was sure was coming to him.  #assumetheposition

And sweet Buddy would never turn down an ear scratch.

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OUTFIT #2

When I look nice, I feel better and am definitely more productive, so I’ve been making the effort to get dressed.

I’ve only got one picture for you of this outfit because the tee and the earrings are already sold out, but I felt the tee still deserved the highlight since it further proves that Ann Taylor has great casual options.  This tee is elevated because of the smocking and flouncy sleeves.  When you look for tees now, just look for ones with some special details!

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OUTFIT #3

I’ve got the same jeans on as I did in the above outfits, but I’ve got yet another fancy tee!  The navy and white floral pattern is precious.

floral linen tie sleeve tee / circle drop earrings / chewed hem jeans

But it’s the tie sleeves that make this more than “just a t-shirt”.

floral linen tie sleeve tee / circle drop earrings / chewed hem jeans

The tee is 100% linen, very lightweight, and super feminine with the adorable little tie sleeves.  For size reference, I’m wearing a small.

floral linen tie sleeve tee / circle drop earrings / chewed hem jeans

And once again, a little more behind the scenes action, the pups wanted another moment in the spotlight.

Buddy especially always wants to be right in the middle of all the things.

floral linen tie sleeve tee / circle drop earrings / chewed hem jeans

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MORE ELEVATED TEES (AND A COUPLE OF BLOUSES)

This “hot hibiscus” tee is such a vibrant and gorgeous color. It’s a thick cotton with a banded boat neck and exaggerated flutter sleeves.  Yes, it’s a t-shirt…but it too is special!

For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

flutter sleeve tee / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

This white tee has a tailored fit and scalloped sleeves.  I know so many of you are always on the hung for a great white tee that isn’t see through, WELL THIS ONE ISN’T!  AT ALL!

It’s got some stretch to it, and it’s definitely thick enough that it’s not at all sheer.  There’s a tiny little embroidery detail at the neck, and the scalloped sleeves are precious.  For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

white scalloped tee / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

This tee has a DARLING graphic floral pattern that is a bit unexpected.  The green and white floral is so fresh, and I love the white space on the bottom of the sleeves and the hem of the tee (hard to see since I have a half tuck).  For size reference, I’m wearing a small.  This tee in particular will be so cute with white denim.

green and white floral tee  / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

They call this a tee online, but it’s definitely more of a blouse because of the material.  This top is going to be wonderful with white jeans, and you will definitely be able to dress it up with white slacks as well.   Pay attention to the smocked shoulders because they are so pretty!  For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

floral smocked shoulder blouse / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

And yes, although I know this is definitely not a tee, this blouse definitely deserved a mention.  The color!  The pattern! The sleeves!  All of it is just so good.  For size reference, I’m wearing a small.

floral blouse / earrings / necklace / chewed hem jeans

That’s all for today, ladies!  I hope that after today’s post you realize that Ann Taylor isn’t just for dressy occasions and the office.  They also have an awesome selection of wonderful casual basics as well, especially elevated tees!

A huge thank you to Ann Taylor and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post.

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