The Stitch Fix Guide To Dressing In Your 30s
You wake up the day after your 30th birthday feeling older, wiser, and maybe with a slight headache from the previous night. You. have. arrived. Take a minute to look at your closet. Does it reveal the fashion decisions, mistakes and impulse purchases you made during your 20s. Say no more if you are starting to doubt your vintage dress collection, or the stiff and boring office attire. Use your 30s to tell your story.
The saying goes that life gets better as you age. Your 30s are the start of some of the best years of your life. Your 20s have passed. You are coming into your own. You are more aware of yourself: what you want and who you are. The journey of self-discovery never ends. But your 30s should give you a more stable footing.
What is less commonly discussed? As your confidence grows, dressing in your 30s may be a challenge. You may have outgrown some of the clothes you wore in your 20s. You may be experimenting with new styles to suit your changing body. You may be entering a new professional phase. You may be tired of your wardrobe and want to update it with items that reflect your current decade. You don’t need to do this alone.
Stitch Fix Stylists are here to share the style knowledge they have gained from years of helping women in their 30s find outfits.
Here are the top five style tips from our stylists for women in their mid-30s.
1. Invest when possible in some long-lasting staples
Michelle, a Stylist says, “Your 30s is the ideal time to invest in an elevated capsule wardrobe, with pieces you will wear over and over again.” “We recommend building a small wardrobe of high-quality pieces you can wear to work and to the bar, and that won’t go out of fashion and that will last you years.”
It’s not about spending wildly, but defining a budget you can live with. Some fun, “cheap and cheerful” items are also wardrobe essentials. It’s about investing in a few core pieces that you can wear in a variety of ways for many years.
Michelle, stylist, recommends investing in a good pair of jeans or a classic little black dress, as well as a stylish blazer (a jacket with an open front, textured weave, and contrast buttons).
Your 30s is the ideal time to invest into a capsule wardrobe that includes key, elevated pieces you will wear repeatedly.
2. Upgrade Your Denim
Investing in high-quality jeans is one of the best ways to elevate your entire wardrobe. Denim is no longer reserved for casual looks. With new, trendy silhouettes, darker colors and dressier fabrics, jeans can be worn for anything from a work presentation to a girls’ night.
Stylist Michelle advises: “Update your denim wardrobe with pieces that are versatile and can be worn for work or a night out on the town.” When done correctly, dark denim can be worn for many occasions.
Stitch Fix Stylists are here to help. We understand that finding the right fit for jeans can be difficult. Our guide on how to find the right jeans for your body is a great resource.
To add interest to basic denim, try a trendy shape like a wide-leg cropped style.
3. Use color to make a bold statement
Michelle, a Stylist, reveals that statement colors are a powerful weapon. Color is fun, and an important part of dressing. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to create a confident, bold look.
Michelle advises, “Focus a pop color for instant eye candy,” or try a monochromatic palette to create a “quiet luxury” vibe.
Michelle’s favorite tips include: “Wear your favourite shades near your eyes to enhance them, or add a contrast colour to make a neutral look stand out.
4. Learn how to use proportions to best show off your unique shape
As we age, our bodies will change. It’s a beautiful feature. Let’s show off and be proud of our bodies. They serve us in many ways. The right fit and proportions can work wonders in this case: According to Stylist Michelle, “Your unique body shape is like a canvas. Clothes that fit perfectly are your artwork.”
Michelle says that finding the perfect fit to celebrate your form is essential for good style. Finding the right balance is key to ensuring that your outfits are proportionate and perfectly suit your body shape, whether it’s an hourglass, rectangle or oval.
You can show the world that you know your body and how to dress. What is a good rule of thumb to find the perfect balance? If you wear something that draws attention to your top, balance that out by wearing something that draws your eye downwards toward your bottom. You can wear a sleek knit with a flowy skirt or wide-leg trousers, or a chunky sweater with a pencil skirt or slim-leg pant. ( Psst…our handy guide on how to dress for your body type can also help!)
5. Discover Your Best Assets and Show Them Off
can reallybegin when we begin to accept our bodies as they are and start appreciating them. Even though it may sound corny, sending extra love to the best parts of your body and doing regular scans can make a big difference in the way you dress and carry yourself.
Michelle, a stylist, says that the right colors, cuts and fits highlight your best features. Knowing what you like best about your body shape will help you dress strategically to make those features pop.
Michelle says that the right clothing can help you to celebrate your best features. “Whether you’re looking to show off your legs in a high-slit dress with heeled boots, or your décolletage with just enough depth,” she explains, “the right clothing will allow you to showcase what you like most about your body.”
Remember, it’s about what makes you feel the best. Your personal Stitch Fix Stylist will ensure that you feel comfortable in your clothes. When you feel good you look good.