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Ah, 30—the modern-day woman’s new 20. Whether you’ve passed that magical number already, à la yours truly, or simply find it drawing near, your third decade of existence is a defining one in nearly every aspect of life, from your career to your love life to yes, even your closet.
Fashion at 30 is a whole new ballgame, and while you’re navigating your way through the twists and turns of the first two points, allow me to make the third one just a little bit easier: Here, find the 10 items every woman in her 30s needs to rule the world…or something like that.
1. A Classic LBD: By now, you’ve no doubt moved on from the hoodie-appropriate keggers you attended in college to more sophisticated fêtes. With charitable fundraisers and elegant dinner parties sneaking their way onto your social calendar, you’ll need something suitable on hand should a dressy event pop up last minute. A classic LBD will cover your bases, since it’s appropriate for just about any occasion and will match a wide variety of color schemes. It’s also one of the most flattering things you’ll ever own (just ask Audrey Hepburn!). Choose a silhouette that fits your body type and matches your personal style, and you’ll be wearing it for years to come.
2. A White Button-Down: Where young girls (and fine, sometimes us women) have their sequins, 30-somethings have their…cotton? Yes—but trust me—it’s a lot more chic than it sounds. There’s just something so sophisticated about a classic white button-down that it practically screams to the world that you’ve got your sh*t together—aka the exact sentiment you’ll be seeking at this stage in your life.
3. A Timeless Trench: This time-honored silhouette is a present that keeps on giving. Exact dates of its origin are debatable, with fashion houses Aquascutum and Burberry both claiming rights to the original ready-to-wear design, but the style emerged sometime between the 1850s and 1900s, and more than 100 years later, it’s still a coveted wardrobe find. Listen to your elders and nab one for yourself.
4. A Sleek Pencil Skirt: There’s a reason boss babes like Amal Clooney have so many midi skirts hiding in their wardrobes: They’re versatile AF! The not-too-short, not-too-long bottom works for nearly any body type or occasion: Pair it with pumps and a blouse for the office or go for a casual crop or tank when date night rolls around. Trust me, at an age where you’re just beginning to save for your future, any piece that can pull double duty with ease is definitely worth it.
5. Sensible Shoes: The days of stuffing your feet into a cute pair of flats that rub your ankles raw or teetering on a pair of heels you can barely walk in are over. You’re old enough—and more importantly, wise enough—now to know that pain? Is never a good look. Frankly, your poor feet have suffered enough, and it’s up to you to make it right. Depending on your foot type (do you have a high arch? A flat foot?), a sensible shoe might be one that accommodates orthotic inserts (yes, I have them, and they’re fabulous, OK?). It could also be as simple as refusing to buy non-quality kicks (guilty) or shoes that don’t actually fit your foot (doubly guilty): You want to leave at least a half an inch (about an index finger) of space between your toes and your footwear. Your tootsies will thank you.
6. A Badass Blazer: Consider this one a fashionable rite of passage. Much like, say, a craving for mushrooms (or caviar. Or wine—pick your poison), the blazer is a bit of an acquired taste. After years of relegating this interview staple to the back of your closet, only to be brought out in the most professional situations, you’ll begin to see it anew post-30 as a perfectly acceptable choice of going-out wear atop your favorite jeans and kicks.
7. A Flirty Wrap Dress: According to legend, Diane von Fürstenberg reportedly gifted the world with the wrap dress back in 1974 at just 26 years old following her divorce from Prince Egon von Fürstenberg, and the sexy, clingy design has been a go-to for women the world over ever since. Known for its wrinkle-resistant superpowers (a pro at any age), as well as its ability to conceal any perceived “flaws” that may start to arise over the years, it’s the perfect pick for your now-adult frame. After all, as Sarah Jessica Parker once put it, it effortlessly erases “every secret you want to hide.”
8. A Durable Belt: Belts are swiftly coming back in vogue. No longer solely responsible for holding up your low riders (RIP, Frankie B’s), they’ve been given new life as a statement accessory to be worn over blouses, dresses, and even coats. In short? They’re the key to your restyling dreams. And, since this is the exact era in life when you should be building a wardrobe that will last well beyond next weekend, any piece that will get you that extra mileage by spicing up the things you already own? Is a very, very good thing.
9. Pretty Pretty Pearls: If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, pearls are her favorite cousin. We’ve already established that you’re bound to find yourself in a dress-up situation at some point or another in your ripe old age (I kid, I kid!), so it’s a good idea to have a set of these bad boys on hand at all times. Those that prefer a classic look can opt for simple studs or a single strand, while funkier style personas—hellllooooooo, spirit animals!— can spring for a ring with a dangly accent charm. Voila! Instant class.
10. A Sturdy Wallet: Now that you’re a—excusez moi—grown-ass adult, it’s no longer acceptable to pull crumpled bills from the bottom of your purse or fish your credit card out from a pile of receipts. Pony up for a sturdy wallet that has plenty of room for all of your essentials. I’m not saying you need to stuff your purse with the biggest accordion find on the market, but you do want something large enough to house at least two credit cards, your ID, health insurance card, cash, and a spare key. And, should you have a little extra room left over, maybe a lipgloss, too.
