My Word of 2025 Is "Sophisticated," and These 34 Pieces Are the Definition

While doing my annual new-year closet clean-out, I was thinking about how I wanted to show up in 2025, and the word I kept returning to was "sophisticated." Maybe it's the air of elegance infused into the fashion world lately or just part of getting older, but I've been feeling drawn to polished pieces. Not only do sophisticated items skew more timeless (and, therefore, make for wiser investments), but wearing something refined also changes the way I carry myself throughout the day.
In order to show up as my best self this year, I'm leaning into sophisticated fashion. Since I've recently made some room in my closet, I scoured the internet for elevated pieces to consider adding to my wardrobe. With satin fabrics, hourglass shapes, and structured silhouettes in mind, I saved 34 utterly chic items that are the definition of sophistication. Below are the standout pieces, from elevated suiting to classic watches.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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