My style went through an abundance of shifts in my 20s—some good and some very, very bad. My early 20s saw me still wearing platform boots and skinny jeans (sometimes even with rips in the knees) on nights out and so many necklaces they'd be a tangled mess every morning when I woke up. A few years later, I styled gingham prairie dresses alongside sneakers and bike shorts with colorful wedges and oversize blazers. I didn't know who I was yet, and because of that, I was susceptible to every single trend that entered my peripheral vision. It took time, but toward the latter half of my 20s, I began to shape the personalized sense of style that's present today. And now that I'm in my 30s, it's all kind of clicked.
As a result of turning 30 and finally figuring things out, both with my style and, well, my life, I've had to make a lot of changes to the contents of my closet. I got rid of so many pieces in my 20s wardrobe, freeing up space for all the items that I want my 30s version to hold. An investment evening bag, for instance, is something I never needed in my 20s but now find myself wishing I owned for weddings, galas, and other events that seem to have appeared on my calendar the second I switched from 29 to 30. I'm also thinking ahead more, desiring a quality-over-quantity curation that will last me well past my 30s into my 40s and 50s. Micro-miniskirts have all but disappeared from my clothing racks, with pencil skirts and midi alternatives filling the space they used to call home and dark-wash, straight-leg jeans and tailored trousers have taken over, replacing distressed denim. My basics have been elevated, as has my shoe and outerwear collection. Your 30s are all about leveling up, or at least that's how I'm approaching them, and my style needs to follow suit.
Ahead, see how turning 30 has changed my fashion in the form of 10 switches I'm making to my wardrobe now that my 20s are behind me.
My 30s Wardrobe
1. Investment Evening Bag
I'm not exaggerating when I say that the first month of my entering my 30s included two galas (in the same week) and a black-tie wedding. Quickly, I realized that I don't own a single evening bag, be it a clutch, a minaudière, or a drawstring pouch, and I desperately need one. I like the idea of one that's simple and can just as easily be styled with a gown as it can with a pair of jeans and a sweater—there's no room in my small New York City apartment for one-occasion pieces. A Savette Pochette is probably my best bet, but I'm also weighing buying either a new or vintage Saint Laurent clasp clutch or a playful, ornate minaudière like the option below from Marlies Grace.
2. Tailored Trousers
My 20s started with skintight bottoms and ended with super-slouchy, puddle pants. Never did I really zero in on pants that were tailored to fit my body—that ends now. If turning 30 has had any real, lasting effect on my wardrobe, it's this: Clothes are meant to fit, including my trousers. In the first few months of my 30s, I've added three incredible pairs of trousers into my wardrobe from Colleen Allen, Tory Burch, and Kallmeyer, and I'm never looking back.
3. Elevated Basics
Before turning 30, my selection of basics was mostly made up of white T-shirts, button-downs, and tank tops. Now, I'm elevating that curation, adding interesting tees with longer sleeves and interesting necklines, investing in elegant knitwear à la Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and getting rid of anything that looks remotely used. I want my basics to be fresh and crisp, not stained or stretched out.
4. Sweaters That Last
I wear my sweaters a lot, but so many of my knits that I bought in my 20s couldn't keep up. Many were a cotton, wool, or cashmere blend, so they just fell apart when I wore them too often, pilling or losing their shape. These days, I only invest in high-quality, single-origin sweaters from a range of brands, such as Banana Republic and COS, as well as Khaite, Ralph Lauren, and The Row. It makes all the difference in the long run, allowing me to feel good about spending more right now.
5. Skirts That Aren't Mini
Miniskirts, especially those of the micro-mini variety, don't really have a place in my wardrobe anymore. I have a small handful of them that I love and will never get rid of, but they've mostly been replaced by pencil skirts or midi-to-maxi column skirts that feel more sophisticated and versatile. It might be because I live in New York City and have to walk up steps in the subway constantly, but miniskirts simply do not serve me anymore.
6. A Versatile Evening Gown
Now that I'm in the time of my life when I get invited to multiple weddings and galas every year, I needed to finally purchase a gown that could work for them all. I can't keep shopping for each event, so my goal is to acquire one or two formal dresses that I can switch between, one for summer and one for winter. Accessories will be what makes them feel fresh for every different occasion.
7. Pieces That Fit
Trousers aren't the only clothing items I'm buying well-fitting versions of, as opposed to baggier shapes. Jackets, blazers, coats, dresses, and more are all getting the same treatment, with waist-nipping options being of top priority for me as I move through my 30s.
8. Quality-Over-Quantity Footwear
My 20s shoe collection was extremely out of hand—I'm talking 50+ pairs of shoes, most of which were stored so deep inside my closet that I never saw them, let alone wore them. I've done some serious cleaning out, though, keeping only quality styles that I can wear over and over again for life (literally). My favorite brands are Manolo Blahnik, The Row, Jimmy Choo, and Prada, which are pricey, yes, but if I only buy a few pairs for the rest of my life, it's a lot cheaper than always randomly purchasing trendy styles from Zara, H&M, and more.
9. Denim Rules: Dark Washes, High-End Fabrics, Sleek Silhouettes
Denim is another category that I have seemingly bought in bulk for much of my life, but now, I've found that slimmer, sleeker pairs in mid to dark washes are the ones that get the most wear. Therefore, I'm donating most of the styles that don't fit into that box and trying to keep my total collection to 10 pairs.
10. Standalone Outerwear
And finally, when it comes to coats, I'm steering away from just wearing simple, black outerwear and focusing on having fun with my top layers, buying some standalone pieces that will make every outfit interesting. What goes underneath doesn't really matter as long as you have a fantastic coat as the centerpiece to your look. It's a foolproof purchase, if you ask me.
