How to Easily Adjust Your Wardrobe as You Age, According to a Stylist

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As you age , you want to transition your wardrobe to feel mature and sophisticated but still fun and unique. It can be a tough thing to do, and even the pros get tripped up. In a recent TikTok video , personal stylist Kenzie (@stylingwithkenzie) explains the trouble she had with it: “I went through this exact same feeling—and I’m a stylist who went to fashion school.” To help others navigate the transition, she outlines four tips for creating a more elevated look. Whether you’re entering your fourth decade or your seventh, you’ll find her advice helpful.

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Kenzie’s first tip has nothing to do with style at all. Instead, it’s about the types of pieces that comprise your closet.

“Stop worrying about dressing for your age and start focusing on building a wardrobe that has quality timeless pieces ,” she says.

In another video , she explains more of what she means and why you might want to skip fast fashion if this is something you’re interested in.

“The best thing that you can do is look at the fabric contents on the tag and pay attention to see if something is viscose, polyester, any of those really cheap fabrics that are not going to hold up over time—those are probably things to avoid,” she says.

As for where to shop to find better pieces, she suggests Dissh , NA-KD , The Cotton Brand , Source Unknown , Quince , and Modern Citizen . These brands offer a range of prices, from affordable to luxury.

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Kenzie’s next tip is to go through a series of actions she calls Pinterest, edit, shop.

“This means figuring out your style by searching for outfits on Pinterest and creating a style board that you can refer back to,” she explains. “Once you know your style aesthetic, then you’re going to start editing your current wardrobe to remove pieces that don’t align with your new style.”

Once you’ve done that, you can go shopping to fill in the pieces that you need to create the aesthetic. It’s best to do this over time rather than all at once to ensure you’re only buying pieces you truly need and not creating more junk.

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As we get older, our breasts change, and the bra that suited you a few years ago might not work anymore, even if you replace it frequently. Because of that, Kenzie suggests getting a professional bra fitting . “Sometimes all you need is a little lift,” she says.

You’ll be amazed by how much better you look and feel in your clothes once you invest in the proper undergarments. According to Marie Claire , you should get fit every six months.

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Finally, Kenzie suggests asking yourself how you want to feel when you wear your clothes.

“Maybe you want to feel confident, successful, sexy, or even relaxed,” she says. “It’s not about being the most fashionable person in the room. It’s about feeling confident about yourself, expressing your personality, and being intentional with what you wear.”

You can constantly tweak your response to this answer, too, and update your wardrobe accordingly.

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Others said they’d implemented similar tips and had great results. “Am 30. I feel like I dress the same as I did at 20 aesthetic-wise but now I’m WAY more into fabrics. Like it has to be comfy or it’s a no,” wrote one person. “<3 this. I’m a 30 y/o lawyer and I’ve been slowly creating a mixed ‘work’ and ‘weekend’ wardrobe by using timeless pieces that I can dress up or down,” wrote another.

6 Prints You Need in Your Wardrobe as You Get Older, Stylists Say

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If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably started many sentences with the phrase: “My wardrobe would be complete, if I only had”—and then ended it with a closet essential like trousers , a button-down, straight-leg denim, or a leather jacket . Without these core pieces, it’s difficult to put together cohesive outfits, and you might often feel like you have nothing to wear. But staples don’t only apply to clothing items and silhouettes. There are also core prints you should own, especially as you get older. Here, personal stylists spill their favorite clothing prints that create the backbone of a mature, sophisticated wardrobe. With these in your closet, you’ll be able to create interesting, layered looks that truly shine.

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There’s no way around it: Stripes are a classic .

“Pairing a chic striped top or bottom with a basic [bottom or] top will balance a look well and give it an effortless Parisian vibe,” says Sahra Schukraft Brandt , personal stylist and founder of Shop the City . “If your style errs maximalist and bold, pair it with another print like a floral or an alternating stripe!”

If you opt for a second stripe, choose one in a different size. If you match your stripes with a second print, choose one in a similar size as the stripe.

You’ll also want to pair the color of your stripes to your outfit properly. “Use the color in the pattern, not the background of the pattern, to match other garments or accessories,” says Michelle Barrett , stylist and founder of Capsule Closet Stylist . “This way, the block color of other garments or accessories will lift and link the colors in the pattern.”

So, if you have a cream sweater with a black stripe, you’ll want to pair it with black pants, as opposed to cream ones. It’ll make the pattern pop.

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Polka dots have been on-trend for ages, and you can expect them to retain that status. Add them to your wardrobe for an easy way to make any outfit more fun.

“Remember that the larger the dots, the bigger the trend statement, so go smaller the older you get,” says Elizabeth Kosich , certified image stylist and founder of Elizabeth Kosich Styling .

She also says it’s important to consider the dots’ contrast in comparison to your own. If you have a low contrast between your complexion and other features (say, if you have dark skin and dark eyes), you’ll want to avoid dots that have a high contrast (like black and white). It’ll take your entire look to the next level—even if people can’t quite put a finger on why.

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This print doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, Schukraft Brandt says it can be timelessly chic.

“I think going small with leopard print can help it feel more approachable—think a leopard-print shoe, neckerchief, or hair scarf,” she shares. “Pairing it with other basics and using it as a neutral ensures that it isn’t too statement-making but just enough of fun.”

If you want to try something bold, team a leopard midi skirt with a streamlined black heel or boot.

RELATED: 5 Chic Accessories If You’re Over 60 .

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Add some grooviness to your wardrobe with a funky swirl print piece. “A cool psychedelic print can really be a statement item that can help you feel bold and young,” says Schukraft Brandt. “I love a bright ’70s print paired with a bold solid color dress or pants and top for a monochromatic look, paired with a more tame shoe.”

If you go big on this print, you’ll want to keep things fairly minimalist elsewhere.

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It wouldn’t be a list of essential prints without a floral. “The key is to complement your skin tone,” says Barrett. “As a general rule, if you have pale skin and hair, choose pastels ; if you have dark hair and medium to dark skin, you can choose brighter tones; and if you have dark skin and hair, choose medium to dark or bright tones.”

No matter what, you’ll be able to style florals year-round. Barrett is particularly fond of wearing them on a silk scarf that’s paired with a Breton striped top.

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Similar to florals, there’s paisley. “It’s a classic, traditional motif that—depending upon color palette—can skew either fresh and youthful or stately and mature,” says Kosich. “Shop paisleys in summer brights like turquoise, teal, orange, and coral to project a light-hearted, spunky mood, or choose a quieter palette in earthy tones like mustard, burgundy, and forest green to send a conservative, quiet message.”

It’s a fun pattern for a scarf, dress, or shirt. Try a paisley tank top under a solid-color blazer to dip your toes in the trend.