How to Dress Fashionably in your 30's and beyond

I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission

A lot of things have changed in my life within the last 5 years that affect the way I dress. I’m sure you can relate to these too!

I had two children, which has made my weight fluctuate greatly as well as changed my body shape and appearance.

I have moved to a different state with a drastically different climate. How I dress year-round in Arizona is completely different than what I’m used to in Illinois.
Then we had a global Panasonic, which was a double whammy. The stay-at-home order caused a person with a fairly active life to become almost 100% sedentary, so the weight gain quickly showed up to the party. And being inside all of the time eliminates the need to shop for cute outfits.
And finally, I turned 30! This new season in my life, as well as the other events mentioned, all play a factor in how I dress my body. Where I shop and the type of clothes I choose need to fit my new lifestyle as a wife, mother, and woman.

How to dress fashionably in your 30's and beyond

With all of the above mentioned factors I realized I needed a wardrobe overhaul.

The shopping required for this project sounded fun because I am a girl who loves to shop, but when I started I quickly realized this would be a daunting task. I’m not sure if you’ve been to the mall recently but, my best friend and I took our first mall shopping trip in over a year a few weeks ago. We were both lost and confused. Our main question was, “Where are we supposed to shop??” Our old fast-fashion haunts seemed too childish for our new mature taste. Yet, the selections in department stores can feel out of touch and dare I say… geriatric. Truly, I love Target and have gotten some great pieces from that store, but most of their summer inventory looks straight out of Little House on the Prairie this year! I’m not sure who the target audience is for those outfits, but it isn’t me!

I posted about this on social media recently. I found that a lot of women, not just me and my bestie, are struggling to find the right clothes, stores, and the right vibe for their wardrobe in this season of life. So, if you’ve found yourself feeling confused and questioning everything in the aisle of a Charlotte Russe or Forever 21, you aren’t alone!

After browsing and some Pinterest research, I was able to grab a few pieces that I feel help me look my age, yet youthful, functional, and fun. Here are some tips on how to dress at 30+.

Stores to Shop at when you’re 30+

Knowing where to shop is half the battle honestly. Don’t waste your time going into stores that have a target audience of 18 year olds. This is just setting yourself up for failure. Here are a few retail stores I generally have good luck in when Forever 21 isn’t working out.

Where to shop for basics

Working full time, caring for kids and yourself calls for a wide variety of basics in your wardrobe. Having a foundation of good basics gives you the ability to quickly throw together a cute outfit. Great denim, comfortable & well-fitting shirts, and layering basics are must-haves. When throwing together a stylish, yet simple outfit, you need items that are cute but also versatile. For these items, I suggest Target, The Gap, and Old Navy.

Shopping tips for women 30 and up. how to be stylish and functional

Where to shop for dresses

If you’re looking for something a bit more unique in the dress department, check out SHEIN. This is an overseas company so be careful when choosing your sizes (read all the reviews!), as some things aren’t made consistently. But this is a great store to shop at when you’re looking for cute but cheap items, or wanting to try out a new trend you aren’t quite sure of. Lulu’s is also a great spot to find nice quality dresses.

Of course don’t count out Marshall’s, TJ Maxx & Ross. It does take more patience to find things in these stores, but I have found some true gems in these stores!

How to pick pieces

Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping…

Show off your shoulders

A lot of us have become self-conscious about certain areas of our bodies. Namely our midsection. A lot of fashion trends (especially recently) place an emphasis on cropped shirts or skin-tight pieces that draw more attention to this area. Honestly, a lot of what is offered in fast fashion stores is cropped, which makes shopping difficult for women who want to cover this area. But just because this is on-trend now doesn’t mean you need to wear it to be fashionable and look good.

If you want to show a little skin, but not the skin on your mid-section, try out off-the-shoulder tops or dresses. I rarely see anyone complain about their shoulders and upper chest area so this is a great area to show off. The Décolletage is one of the most attractive areas on the body so don’t forget to give it some love and attention both in your wardrobe and skincare routine! Also, the skin on your neck and chest is sensitive and prone to signs of premature aging like wrinkles & discoloration. Make sure you are applying sunscreen to this area when wearing your off-the-shoulder tops.

Grab some great denim

Denim can make or break your outfit. In case you didn’t know, now you do know that yes, it is that serious! If your jeans are too tight, not only will they make you physically uncomfortable, but they might also make you look like you’re bigger than what you are and not well dressed. Alternatively, if they are too baggy or ill-fitting you run the risk of looking frumpy and awkward. Target actually has really good denim, I’ve also heard great things about Abercrombie and Zara.

Prioritize functionality & Style at the same time

As a woman on the go, never underestimate the power of pockets. This is one of the reasons that I love Fabletics’ leggings. The nice, deep side pockets are so helpful when dealing with my kids. I can easily store my phone, car keys, and whatever else I need in those pockets while I carry other things in my hands. I love buying dresses and jumpsuits with pockets, even if they are small, they are helpful. Accessories come in handy when you don’t have an outfit with pockets.

My go-to in this case is a cute crossbody bag. Outside of pockets, I try to pick outfits that are functional in a general sense. Meaning, I can do my daily tasks without worrying about a wardrobe malfunction. If the outfit won’t be cute or practical when I’m buckling kids into the car, taking my toddler to the potty, or bending down to tie shoe strings, I probably won’t buy it (or wear it very often). Functionality is a priority but you don’t have to sacrifice style in order to achieve it!