5 Wardrobe Staples I'm Buying Before I Turn 30 Next Month
Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
Listen, I'm all about the idea of ageless fashion. I'm a firm believer that you should wear whatever you feel comfortable in, but for many of us, that does indeed change as we get older. It's not so much about "dressing your age" (whatever that means)—it's about wearing only what you truly love, spending money on pieces you can wear all the time, and treating yourself to something fancy every now and then.
Below, I've rounded up five staples I'm zeroing in on as I approach my 30th birthday. Some of them are closet upgrades that I definitely deserve, while others are practical pieces that I'll get a ton of mileage out of. Scroll down to shop my picks.
Shackets
As I get older, I appreciate functionality more and more. I used to spend money on frivolous pieces that I'd only wear for super-specific occasions, but now, I'm all about true wardrobe basics that I can get a ton of use out of. Shirt-jacket hybrids fit the bill perfectly.
Chic Sun Protection
Nothing ages you faster than too much UV exposure. I've started caring less about "ruining" an outfit with a hat and more about protecting my skin from the sun with cute baseball caps, bucket hats, and straw hats. This is something I wish I did more of when I was younger, but it's never too late.
Quality Sleepwear
Raise your hand if you still sleep in your old college T-shirts. (You get bonus points if you have some from high school in the rotation, too.) I love a broken-in tee as much as the next person, but as I've gotten older, I've come to value high-quality sleep pieces like silk shirts and pillowcases to make bedtime feel like a luxury.
Fancy Flats
In the name of comfort, I've been wearing heels less and less as I get older. They're not the type of shoes I wear just for me, so I'd like to change that and get used to wearing flats to all types of occasions, including dressier ones.
Midi Dresses With Sleeves
I love go-anywhere dresses that work for literally anything you have planned. Fussy, too-short, see-through, ultra-revealing, and uncomfortable dresses just aren't appealing to me for everyday wear anymore.
Next, 7 Jewelry Trends That Are Surging in L.A. Right Now
Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 12 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of senior news editor (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.
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