So you've spent your 20s experimenting with your style. Now, it's time to learn how to dress in your 30s. By this point, hopefully you know what you like, what looks good, and where you can still take a few risks. Basically, your 30s are just like your 20s, but with more money, and a greater understanding of the power of a “no” to a Tuesday night out.
A big coat will probably be one of the most important pieces that you own. Sneakers will be less flashy, and more understated. You might also start to buy the occasional item that costs a little more – an investment! A beautifully made everyday bag, a go-anywhere jacket. Even an umbrella, because you're more organised now (maybe?).
With that said, the fourth decade of your life isn't just about playing down your wardrobe. Conservation is one thing, but there's still space for you to get weird with your style. At the end of the day, you're still young! So a pop of colour here and there will do no harm. So, here's how to dress in your 30s, and do it well.
In a hurry? Here are the fundamental steps to adhere to: upgrade your staples, invest in a good suit, go for tailored swim shorts, invest in brands, buy less but buy better, and know your personal style. Looking for style inspiration? Head here.
How to dress in your 30s
#1: Upgrade your wardrobe
At this point, your wardrobe is probably full of stuff from your 20s (or even before). That graphic hoodie that you bought back in 2015 holds a lot of sentimental value, and that's fine! But everything that doesn't look right on you needs to be thrown away or donated ASAP. Instead, it's time to get yourself some solid staples like white T-shirts from Sunspel or boxers from Uniqlo. You should start ordering these online in bulk so you're well stocked up.
Whether you need to wear glasses every day or only when the sun comes out, by the time you hit 30 you'll realise that one pair of specs is not enough. Use these 10 years to up your eyewear game and invest in a variety of frames that you can wear for different occasions – a good starting point would be for one black, one tortoiseshell, and one clear acetate pair (and possibly a lighter, metal-framed pair for summer).
As with eyewear, one coat will no longer see you through – time to get some variety in your outerwear wardrobe. A basic start would be three quality coats: two wool ones for winter (black and tan) and one for summer (you don't get much more versatile than a lightweight trench coat).
#2: Suit yourself
You bought your first suit in your 20s, now's the time to get a few more options in. Invest in good quality black, grey, and navy suits at the very minimum, then expand into a few bolder colours, materials, or patterns (tweed and checks are pretty versatile) as well as different weights for winter and summer.
Remember: a suit is not just a suit, it's also a blazer and trousers that can be split up and worn casually with denim, chinos, and tees, not to mention jackets or trousers from other suits.
Some of your mates are probably getting married now, so chances are you'll be attending a few weddings and black tie events. It pays to invest in a decent dinner suit and get it tailored so that you know it'll fit you like a glove. The classic option is, of course, a peak lapel black iteration, but we would also suggest you seriously consider midnight blue (perhaps in a shawl lapel).
#3: Suns out, guns out
Gone are the days of whipping your shirt off and lying in the park in a pair of jeans – you should still look like a grown-up in hot weather, whether that be on the beach or a sudden heatwave on home shores.
Your first stop is to get yourself a decent pair of swimmers that can also double as actual shorts at the bar (Orlebar Brown or Frescobol Carioca are both solid options). After that, look out for shirts, suits, and trousers in cotton or linen-cotton mixes and summer-appropriate boat shoes and loafers for smart events.
If you still feel like you really need to wear flip flops, consider buying some leather sandals or suede espadrilles instead. They are both far nicer, and are way more pleasing on the eye if you have hairy toes (you know who you are, guys).
#4: Invest to impress
Now's the time to start adding items to your wardrobe that are going to last you a lifetime. Start out with pieces that you're going to use a lot and invest in the best that you can buy. We're talking about things that you only really need one of, such as bags, a go-anywhere trench coat, silver cufflinks, a proper umbrella (such as those from London Undercover) or a high-end leather wallet. This is also a good time to start expanding your shoe collection, whether that be with sleek trainers or various varieties of smarter shoes such Derbies or Oxfords.
It's not just about individual items either. When you learn how to dress in your 30s, you need to start investing in more premium fabrics and materials. While light merino wool is perfect for layering or for chillier autumn days, there's nothing quite like super-soft cashmere in the colder months. If you spend a lot of time in the air for business, a cashmere jumper is quite possibly the wisest purchase you can make in this decade.
Chances are you spent your 20s using a bunch of toiletries that were all gifts (Lynx Africa, anyone?). Now, it's time to take things seriously with a fancy fragrance. Pick a key note or smell you like (are you more into woody, aquatic, floral, or fresher scents?) and try out a few options in a department store. It's also worth investing in other grooming products with the same base notes too, so you don't clash scents in the morning. No rookie mistakes here.
#5: Buy less, but better
We sat down with creative director, style icon, and good-looking man Richard Biedul, 39, to chat about how to dress in your 30s. “I recently read that the fashion industry is second only to the oil industry in terms of its contribution to the destruction of the environment,” says Biedul. “So, with that in mind, my golden rule for shopping in your thirties is this: invest in quality over quantity.”
“This doesn’t mean shopping for the most expensive items on the high street (or even Bond Street). What it means is that we should all make a conscious effort to move away from single-use fashion and seasonal trends, towards clothing that is manufactured locally or by global brands that operate sustainable, responsible and ethical business.
“Let’s keep it as simple as possible: buy less, but better. Think natural fabrics (like cashmere or merino) over man-made.”
#6: Back yourself
David Byrne once wrote, “And you may say to yourself, ‘Am I right, or am I wrong.’ And you may say to yourself, ‘My, god, what have I done?’” If these are the questions rolling through your head as you stand in front of the mirror, then have some confidence in yourself.
You’ve been dressing as an adult for 10 to 20 years now, you know what works and what doesn’t. So back yourself when it comes to your style choices and wear them with the verve of someone who is self-assured.
Well-dressed men in their 30s
If you're searching for some inspo on how to dress in your 30s, there's no better place to look than some of the guys who are doing it right. A$AP Rocky is one of the coolest dudes on the planet. Michael B Jordan is the master of wearing vibrant colours. And Robert Pattinson can make absolutely anything look good.
A$AP Rocky, 35
King of millennial cool. He’s collaborated with JW Anderson, he's a regular at Dior events, and he goes on jogs wearing nothing but Bottega Veneta. A fashion idol for men in their 30s everywhere, A$AP Rocky breaks conventional suiting codes in sophisticated ways, but can simultaneously stick to convention impeccably.
Michael B Jordan, 37
While most guys are beginning to tone down their fits at this age, Michael B Jordan is going bigger and bolder than ever before. We're talking leopard print shirts during night outs, fiery red Gucci suits, and canary yellow Louis Vuitton coats. No one does it as well as he can, and he somehow makes it look ultra effortless.
Robert Pattinson, 37
R-Patz! A fashion designer's favourite clotheshorse. The official go-to guy for Dior. But he doesn't just get paid to rep clothes, he actually has fun with them himself. Robert Pattinson managed to find a style that toes the line between hypebeast graduate (Palace x Adidas sneakers) and career-driven guy. He's doing it all. Big coats by way of Jil Sander, leather jackets from Dior, the odd skirt.
