How to Look Classic, Not Stuffy

Many people prefer clothes that whisper “classy” to trendy ones that shout “Look at me!” In search of a pulled-together wardrobe with continuity, they steer clear of prints, bold colors and of-the-minute styles. This tasteful strategy is appealing until the “safe” clothes they depend on start looking dated. That’s a hint to get out of your fashion rut. The idea of a wardrobe that lasts forever is a fashion myth. Even if your weight stays stable, a classic wardrobe still benefits from a yearly reboot to keep a modern aesthetic going. Here’s how to jump out of the past and into the present with a cocktail of revised classics that are shaken and stirred.

Chico’s Wide Leg Linen Pants in Alabaster

Courtesy Chico's

1. Relax your core tailored pieces.

Tailored blazers, straight-leg pants, pleated skirts, button-down shirts and shirtdresses are still the basis for a classic wardrobe. However, they do change, and more styles are incorporating comfier stretch fabrics and knits, roomier proportions and updated details that push classics from cliche to chic. Your closet doesn’t need an entire makeover. Just one jacket, pant or skirt can launch an upgrade. Consider a stretch knit blazer like the Scoop Women’s Relaxed Scuba Knit Blazer in Racing Red or Whisper White ($45, walmart.com) or a knit “lady” jacket like the Mango Women Knitted Buttoned Jacket in Black ($80, mango.com), pants and skirts with a relaxed fit and elastic waistband like the Chico’s Wide Leg Linen Pants in Alabaster ($99, chicos.com, pictured above) and the A-line and midi length EP Modern by Evan-Picone Women’s Mid Rise Pleated Skirt in Black ($32, jcpenney.com) for instant oomph.

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H&M Women Pleated Skirt in Light Beige

Courtesy H&M

2. Mix categories to spice up outfits.

Most women over 50 know that adding a blazer to jeans and a T-shirt dresses up the casual twosome and dresses down the structured jacket. Still, many women still keep their serious work/tailored/going-out clothes pretty much separate from sporty/weekend items when pulling together outfits. That’s a mistake. One quick way to take the stuffiness out of classic clothes is with unexpected mixes that blur the lines. You may, for example, pair a chambray shirt or striped boatneck tee like the Free Assembly Women’s Boatneck Tee with Long Sleeves in Azalea Mitten Stripe ($13, walmart.com) with tailored pants like the J.Crew Factory Linen-Cotton Blend Elastic-Back Sailor Pant in Dusty Ivory or Black ($54, factory.jcrew.com), belt a sporty utility jacket like the Gap Women Belted Shirt Jacket in Chino Beige ($55, gap.com) over a pleated skirt like the H&M Women Pleated Skirt in Light Beige or Black ($46, www2.hm.com/en_us, pictured above) and add low slingback pumps and a fancy blouse to your favorite straight-leg jeans. The effect produces a cool I-just-threw-this-together vibe.