For anyone approaching their 30s, the question of what they should be wearing once they hit this milestone is a pertinent one. While the excesses and hedonism of your 20s might be behind you, it doesn’t mean you should overhaul your wardrobe entirely, and nor must you suddenly start dressing like a much older woman – but nonetheless, your 30s are a decade of chicness and sophistication, and an opportunity to embrace elegance and luxury like never before.
With fashion always on the move, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends, but in this season of your life, it’s all about quality over quantity. Gone are the days of relying on fast fashion to keep you en vogue, and post-thirty, it’s all about classic and timeless pieces that will last you for years to come.
There are certain key pieces that every woman should have in her wardrobe before she hits 30, and each promises to see you through the next decade in style. Here are our five top picks to invest in now.
High-quality sunglasses
Cheap pairs of sunglasses in varying styles might have helped you to mix up your looks with ease in your 20s, but in your 30s, it’s all about quality. Not only will an expensive pair of designer sunglasses fully protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays – which is more than can be said for their lower-priced counterparts – but will also make for the perfect finishing touch for any well put-together and elegant look.
A pair of designer Ray Bans, a classic model from Dior or some durable wooden sunglasses in an aviator or Clubmaster are all versatile and sophisticated choices that will complement any look and will take you from the boardroom to the bar in seamless style.
The perfect jumpsuit
Keeping your finger on the fashion pulse requires time and attention at any age, so in your 30s, look to the glamorous A-list celebrities you admire for inspiration. One look you’ll often see them sporting, and that is unlikely to ever go out of style, is a beautiful jumpsuit, which takes the guesswork out of putting together an outfit by ticking all the right boxes at once.
A fitted jumpsuit is a quick and easy piece to throw on for effortless daytime chic, but can be easily dressed up for the evenings, too. Simply add your favourite pair of heels and layer up with some jewellery, and you’re good to go.
Remembering that classic is the key to sophistication, avoid bright, patterned or potentially faddy pieces, and opt for a single-colour suit in a monochrome or neutral tone for maximum versatility. It might seem a little boring, but will allow your accessories to do all the talking, and these can be readily changed up with the season and in line with the latest trends.
Blue jeans
There’s an apparent reason why famous singers David Bowie and Lana Del Ray have written songs about blue jeans, which has long been essential in just about every wardrobe. In your 30s, opt for a well-cut designer pair that flatters your figure – when it comes to jeans, you get what you pay for, and a quality pair will show.
Gone are the days when jeans were limited to dressed-down days, and although they are still an undeniable staple in those simple yet sophisticated off-duty looks – when they’re perfectly paired with a simple vest top for the summer – they can be dressed up to take you from day to night with relative ease.
From the boyfriend to the mom jean, denim is unlikely to ever go out of style. Opt for a few pairs in a variety of different washes for additional choice and versatility when it comes to creating your desired look each day.
Silk slip dress
The silk slip dress became widely popular in the late 20th century. First, it was worn as an undergarment, when it was made from chiffons, satin and charmeuse. Fast forward to the 1990s, and Hollywood celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Kate Moss were photographed wearing silk slip dresses, and they remain just as popular until today.
Why? New York stylist Camilla Nickerson says it’s because “the minimalist dress was resonating with attitudinal youths. It came to define a certain mood, and it was part of the new beauty.”
Silk slip dresses look flattering on just about everybody type – just choose the right style and length for your figure, and you’re good to go. Perfect for dinner dates, drinks with friends and even weddings, they’ll see you through any social situation in style, making them an essential garment to add to your wardrobe before you hit 30.
Classic shoe
Any fashion lover knows how just one accessory can have the power to change your life for the better, and a simple pair of classic shoes, if chosen carefully, can do just that. Ever since Audrey Hepburn was seen wearing black pumps in the 1950s, the fashion world has never been the same, and they remain a chic and stylish must-have until today.
Although many shoe trends have been and gone over the years, a black high heel will never go out of vogue, and a quality pair of Louboutins will last you for years to come.
The bottom line
Fashion in your 30s is all about elegance and sophistication, and these five pieces will see you through the entire decade in the utmost of style. Add them to your capsule wardrobe to enjoy maximum versatility without compromising on glamour, and you can’t go far wrong at all.
