Looking Great at Every Age: The Pros Share Their Top Tips

Does what you wear on the outside reflect who you are on the inside?! Credit: chrisamichaels, Flickr

STYLE

Because you know you want that fit bottom to look good.

The Expert

Amber Stolec, wardrobe stylist

Brooklyn-based Stolec has worked in advertising, corporate and fashion industries incorporating a wide variety of looks to match each client’s needs. What that means for us: She knows her stuff!

In Your Teens and 20s

I am (inaudible mumble) years old. Let’s just say I’m not 20 anymore. But, when I look back to what I wore in my teens and 20s, I have no regrets. Why? Because your teens and your 20s are the perfect time to explore fashion. Have fun with it! For example, there are so many fun prints and different types of denim this season: cheetah, plaid, velvet, coated and various colors. Now is the time to stand out.

Just keep in mind where you are going and what you are doing. Don’t dress as if you are going to the club or the beach. Save the flip-flops and crop tops for after work. That doesn’t mean you have to wear a business suit, but dress appropriately for the situation. Day-to-night dressing is best in more conservative work places. If you’re going out after work, throw a blazer on your cute dress and change into those four-inch spiked stilettos after work. Plus, it gives you an excuse to carry one of this fall’s amazing oversized satchels to hold all your extra day-to-night pieces.

Lastly, though fashion trends come out fast and furious these days, you don’t have to make them all work on your body. Do you look in the mirror and think that structured military jacket makes your shoulders look too wide? Then skip it. There’s so many more trends to choose from, and you should only wear what makes you feel confident.

In Your 30s and 40s

One of the hardest parts of your 30s is coming to terms with cleaning out your young 20s closet. Hello Kitty purses and denim overalls don’t make you look young, but rather like you are clinging to youth desperately.

When you’re in your 30s or 40s trends are less important. Your fashion focus is finding and featuring your best body parts and developing a go-to style.

Take an inventory of your closet. Is there a certain pair of pants, a dress or outfit that you wear that everyone compliments? If you feel good about yourself in that look as well, there’s nothing wrong with buying the same style in multiple colors. Those jeans you love? Get them in several different washes. You don’t have to wear the same thing every day, but keeping with the cuts and styles that flatter your figure will make getting dressed hassle-free.

You can change up your look and keep updated inexpensively by adding some accessories such as belts, jewelry, scarves and hats. Colorful accents can add a touch of youth and vibrant without having to resort to a giant smiley face shrunken tee with YOLO printed on it.

In Your 50s and 60s+

At this point in your life you probably don’t need advice on what looks good on your body, but you might be worried about getting into an out-of-fashion rut.

Some good guidelines are to find brands you can be loyal to, and shop for quality over quantity. Add a piece or two to your wardrobe every season that goes with what you already have and love. If Ralph Lauren or Donna Karan are your go-to designers, then check out the new pieces of the season. Maybe you can find favorite piece like a blazer skirt or pants with leather trim to add an updated flair.