When I was younger, I used to dread the thought of getting older, but since hitting my 30’s, I’ve come to embrace this natural cycle of life. Having just celebrated my 32nd birthday this past weekend, I was inspired to share a few tips on how to evolve your style from your 20’s to your 30’s. Growing another year older has its benefits, including more wisdom, greater self-confidence – and a better wardrobe. It’s a natural process to be evolving constantly, and that means our style changes too. Although I don’t really believe that any rules are set in stone when it comes to “dressing for your age”, I do feel that there are a few ways to make the style transition from your 20’s to your 30’s seamless. If you’re approaching your 30’s – or simply want to refresh your look this season – I have a few tips on how to achieve that.

Invest in classics

One of the best things you can do for your wardrobe as you head into your 30’s is invest in classics. In my early to mid-20’s, I was getting started with my career and didn’t have a big budget for shopping yet I still needed to look professional for my career as a stock analyst. So, I was buying most of my clothes from high street brands like H&M, Forever 21, and Mango and mixing in more professional pieces from Banana Republic and Ann Taylor . As I grew in my career responsibilities and ultimately my salary, I was able to allocate a bigger budget to my wardrobe. I immediately began investing in a few classic pieces, which included handbags, heels, and coats – items I knew were staples that would last for years. Doing so has prepared me well for my 30’s. As you progress in your career and begin to earn more, it’ll pay off to invest in one or two classic pieces every year.

Shop trends thoughtfully

As you exit your 20’s, it’s a good time to reevaluate your shopping habits and make sure they align with how you want to look. I always knew that I wanted to exude chic, confident, and classy style as I got older. This means picking trend wear more thoughtfully and not buying into every new thing that pops up on your radar. Plus, it’s important to fill your wardrobe with versatile pieces that will work with each other as well as any classics you’ve invested in. If I feel like I’ll get tired of a trend over the next 3 months, I’ll pass on it. This season, I’m eyeing fresh trends with longevity like animal print, power suiting, and heritage bags.

Go with neutrals

My style was much more experimental and colorful in my 20’s, which was perfect for my youthful spirit and energy then. These days, I embrace more stylized and polished outfits to align with my ever evolving style. One of the tricks I always use that helps me look poised and pulled together is wearing neutrals. Tailored pieces in neutral tones tend to look more classy and chic even if they’re not super expensive. I can always rely on them to make me look the part.

Pay attention to fit and tailoring

I’ve learned through the years that fit and tailoring can make all the difference in the world when it comes to clothing. Since I am petite, I really take the time to ensure my garments are properly tailored otherwise, I can easily overwhelm my frame. Whether it’s hemming your trousers, nipping a dress, or shortening straps, know that a garment’s fit can make or break your look. I always watch out for hemlines that are too short – or too long -regardless of what I’m wearing. A proper fit will help you feel more confident in your own skin.

xo, Maria

Outfit Details

House of Harlow One Shoulder Sweater (wearing an XXS, better for budget here)
By The Way Faux Leather Skirt (wearing an XS, similar here)
Prada Cahier Bag
Saint Laurent Sunglasses (better for budget here)
Kurt Geiger Leopard Heels (sold out, similar here, better for budget here)

Shop myinstagram

view all