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Do I look cool enough? Do I look frumpy? Is this too much skin? Is this outdated? Am I too old to dress like this?

First of all: no. Second of all: wear whatever you want.

But seriously, I think we all reach this point where our frontal lobes develop, and our personal style begs to evolve right along with it. Something that feels like it suits who we’ve always been, but also feels like it suits where we are in life. We’re not nineteen year old college girls anymore, and we don’t want to dress like we’re still trying to be. But we’re not old either, and we want to update our style to look a little bit cooler and a little bit classier in a way that doesn’t just mean covering more skin.

So how do we do it? How do we shop and dress for this era of our lives? I find it’s easiest to be consistent with something when there are rules. A formula, you could say.

1: The Leg Law

I love a mini skirt-the shorter the better. There’s no universe in which I sacrifice them on the alter of my mid twenties. But I do feel a little not myself when I try to make a mini skirt work with something strapless or low cut. Something just doesn’t feel right about it anymore. 

The Leg Law is simple: if we’re choosing low coverage on our legs, we’re choosing higher coverage on our upper bodies. I’m not saying a mini skirt requires a long sleeve top or something oversized. What I am saying is that the easiest way to make a mini skirt feel chic and a little more elegant is to balance the proportions of the outfit. Pairing it with a mock neck tank top, a Bardot neckline, an off shoulder sweater, a fitted sweater, and the list goes on and on. It’s not about not showing skin, but rather finding a balance in where we’re showing skin. 

2. The Art of the Neckline

Simple tops are wardrobe staples. I live in Boston-the unsaid (but also frequently said) uniform for women in this city is a black top and jeans. More often than not, especially when it comes to a “going out” outfit, our simple tops can make the outfit feel a little less cool and sophisticated than what we’re going for. 

That being said, it’s not reasonable to have a new statement top to wear every time you leave the house. Not financially or spatially doable. So where do we go? It’s my opinion that the key to making a simple top come across as elegant, interesting, chic, and all of those other fun adjectives we want to be described as is in the neckline. A black top is a black top. A one shoulder black top, an asymmetrical black top, an off-shoulder black top-now we’re inviting interest into our outfits. There’s no need to go over the top (pun not intended) to elevate your outfits. It’s the little things that move you up on the basic-to-cool-girl scale.

3. Say Yes to Belts

Speaking of the little things: belts. I was a self-proclaimed belt hater for several years for absolutely no reason at all. I just didn’t see why they were necessary. If my pants fit, why did I need something holding them up? I’m finally smart enough to realize that a belt is an accessory like shoes or a purse or a piece of jewelry, and just as important in making or breaking an outfit.

Pair a belt with that simple shift dress you’ve had forever, and suddenly the outfit feels new. Add a belt to your jeans-and-sweater outfit, and you suddenly look that much more put together. Belt a dress at your waist or at your hips to change the silhouette completely. The right belt makes an outfit feel intentional, and can make an outfit you’ve worn again and again feel like something totally fresh.

4. Look Down (At Your Shoes)

Shoes. The most underrated piece of an outfit, in my opinion. The unsung heroes who can take you from blah to your best outfit ever. A white sneaker is a great staple. Easy to wear, goes with (almost) everything, I get it. But the white sneaker (especially that pair that have seen a lot of frat basements, who you should’ve put out of their misery years ago) are dragging your outfit down. Holding you back from your full potential. They’re begging for an upgrade. So let’s talk about what to replace them with.

First up is the black slingback heel. That’s your new white sneaker. Swap that cute little heel into your simple jeans outfit and you immediately look that much more chic. Don’t like heels? All good! Sneakers don’t have to be boring, and colorful sneakers don’t have to be a statement shoe. It might sound like an oxymoron, but a colorful shoe can be a neutral staple shoe, too. Darker tones, bright colored accents, etc. Flats are like the shoe equivalent of belts: they effortlessly add a bit of put-togetherness to your outfit. A cool square toe leather flat pairs seamlessly with just about anything. And finally, a boot. A black leather boot. Knee high with a skinny heel (somewhere around three inches, if we’re being picky). I’m a self-proclaimed boot girl year round, so I know I might be biased when I say that there’s no shoe more essential than that perfect boot.

Obviously I’ve got some opinions about shoes, but what I’m really trying to say is that it’s worthwhile to branch out in your shoe selection. Find the timeless pieces that you’ll wear again and again, but step out of your comfort zone, too. Don’t be afraid to make your shoe the focal point of your outfit, rather than leaving them as an afterthought.

5. Fabric, fabric, fabric

A tube top is a tube top. Straightforward, a little basic, and a little hard to style in a cool way in your mid to late twenties. It’s one of those pieces that’s youthful in a way that, at a certain point, ages you. But a strapless linen top? A structured piece that creates an interesting silhouette? It’s the same thing, but elevated. The same thing, but just a smidge more polished. 

The fabric (and consequently, the actual structure) of a piece of clothing naturally changes the way it fits you, the way you style it, and the vibe that your outfit communicates. You don’t have to give up the styles you love just because you want to look more elevated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as finding a similar piece in a different fabric.

6. Make it Interesting

Your personal style is everything. At the end of the day, it’s the only thing that matters when you’re putting together an outfit. Everything I’ve said up until now are just the lessons I’ve learned while trying to elevate my wardrobe to match my current age and style. Take what you love, leave what you don’t. But this last step is the most important. 

Whatever you do, add some interest to your outfit. Add that thing that makes the outfit distinctly you. Whether that’s a pop of color or a bold print, or a cool black handbag or that jewelry you’re obsessed with. I’m not saying your outfit has to be crazy or colorful or a spectacle-just make sure that every time you get dressed, it feels like you. Understand who you are, what you like, and dress for it.