10 Outfits To Try If You Don’t Want To Look Too Young But Also Don’t Want To Look Mature And Dusty
We believe you call it balance.
Images from Pinterest
by The Candidly Team
Two things are true about us and clothes.
We’d like to look sophisticated.
We wouldn’t mind also looking younger and cooler.
Frankly, we know it doesn’t sound cool to admit the latter. But weirdly, our goal isn’t actually about looking young OR cool. It’s just about not looking boring and stuffy and aging ourselves a dozen years simply because we want to dress nicer.
Does that make sense?
Let us put it another way. How many times have you put on “nice” pants and a “nice” shirt and a “nice” blazer and looked in the mirror and thought, “meh, kinda looks like I’m going to court.”
The reality is, in order for our nice clothes to make us look our best, they have to be put together wisely. And for that to happen, we have to be willing to mix classic with cool. Hard with soft. And high with low. It’s how our clothes get character which is what makes them an expression of us.
And because we are not stylists, nor do we employ stylists to concoct these dashing ensembles for us, what we really use to guide us is a template. And that brings us to the reason we’re all here. We have gathered 10 absolutely infallible templates for looking chic while still looking modern and effortless and balanced and ourselves.
We feel our best in every single one of them. And we suspect you might too.
1. This Jeans And A Blazer Look That Gives You Gorgeous Proportions
Aritzia Babaton
arbus blazer
Don’t be scared. A cropped blazer is not just for the kids. In fact, over a fitted turtleneck and paired with high-waist jeans, it will give you your more perfect proportions. Your waist will look nipped. Your legs will look longer. And you will still feel like you have that whisper of clean-lined coverage that only a blazer can give you - the kind that makes you feel ready to strut confidently through the world. This cropped version is the best we’ve tried.
Price: $228
Paige High Rise Manhattan 32" Bootcut Jean
Paige is just doing something different with jeans, something that makes them the jeans you put on and become almost emotional because they fit you the way you always dream jeans will and never do. This slightly flared pair is spectacular on curves. Yes, we used the word spectacular. And it’s the only reason we’re willing to spend this much on jeans. We did get a code from the brand though to at least help.
Use CANDIDLY15 for 15% off.
Price: $249
By Anthropologie Long Sleeve High Neck Baby Rib Top
Behold the fitted Diane Keaton turtleneck you need in every color. The neck is drapey but the bodice is fitted and ribbed to smooooooth you out. Ugh, it’s just the best.
Price: $48
Vivaia Almond-Toe Running Heel Boots (Amanda)
Ok, we are at an age where we will not do any foot pain. None. Nada. Zero. Zilch. We say this because we need you to understand the rarity of these boots. They feel like TENNIS SHOES. Cushioned. Supportive. Like we could run in them. Run. Sure, they look all sleek and expensive but we’ve just never been so blown away by the comfort of a boot.
Price: $150
2. THIS COOL GIRL FALL ENSEMBLE
Maeve Printed Wide-Leg Trousers
A pretty plaid pant makes us feel like we’ve mastered autumn fashion. But get these particular pants and we swear you will feel like you’re in sweatpants. They’re the style Anthro does that we often rant and rave about because they’re so flattering (especially on bigger hips, butts, and legs). We look taller and narrower in them. So naturally when they came out with this new plaid print, we sprinted to add to cart.
Price: $128
Z Supply Modern Slub Tee
So the trick to making this look cool and effortless is adding a whisper soft tee. This one is light as air and not too long so it looks really good on and not like some unflattering, square tee that bulks you up.
Price: $39
Madewell Shrunken Zip-Front Jacket in Leather
A great leather jacket is and will always be an investment, but this one is supremely special. Like a lady jacket, it just looks so polished and luxurious, but the length makes it 1000x less formal and stuff than a lady jacket. Instead it is the ultimate sweet spot between cool and classic.
Price: $498
3. THIS SLEEK COAT OVER A LAZY TEE LOOK
Z Supply Mason Knit Coat
The truth is, you can throw this buttery soft, weighted knit (KNIT!) coat on ever everything and you will look sleeker and chicer and like you spent 3x as much on your whole outfit. It comes in 3 perfect neutral colors and one print, and we want them all. Nothing has filled a hole in our closet like this coat.
Price: $199
Sam Edelman Garret Platform Combat Boot
We love the combo of a sophisticated long coat with a chunkier combat boot. The mix of soft and hard, in general, is the ultimate hack to make our clothes less stiff and boring and, quite frankly, old looking.
Price: $112
Madewell The Curvy Perfect Vintage Jean
If you’re curvy and want that in-between jean that isn’t at all baggy but isn’t skintight, allow us to introduce you to your new favorite jeans.
Price: $128
4. This Loungey Look Made Chic By Cashmere
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater
For all the days we feel bloated and blah and barely wnat to get dressed layer this divine 100% cashmere cardi over a long, soft maxi dress. It’s a cozy-gal uniform you will want to reach for daily.
Price: $150
Supnier Summer Maxi Dress
No need to spend a fortune. Just get a soft, spacious dress with THIS exact neckline and skinny straps so it isn’t stuffy or mumu-like for $35. Pockets are of course a plus.
Price: $35
nisolo Ana Go-To Heeled Chelsea Boot
And now for our next trick, we add a gorj, block-heeled boot to give the whole thing a little edge.
Use the code CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off.
Price: $250
Jenny Bird Constance Wrap Chain
And finally for a whisper of sexiness and allure, we add a long gold chain. This one from Jane Win is on our birthday wishlist (ya know, in case anyone reading this knows us).
Price: $130
5. ThIS YOUTHFUL WAY TO STYLE A BLAZER
Avec Les Filles Hourglass Double-Breasted Blazer
Take a really luxe-looking plaid blazer that screams Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. Wear it over any fitted tee (we adore THIS one), and instead of boring pants, wear it over extra wide-leg long jeans. It’s a formula to make us look elongated and elegant but also more of the moment. That’s our coded way of saying younger (in case you’re onto us).
Price: $188
Madewell Superwide-Leg Jeans in Fannin Wash
Find us a body who these jeans don’t look good on. The high-waist. The cuffed leg. These jeans WILL look glorious on you. Trust the process.
Price: $138
6. THIS TOMBOYISH WAY TO STYLE A SWEATER
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
I mean, we found a perfect cashmere pullover we never want to take off for $50 that comes in every color you could want. What more is there to say?
Price: $50
M.M. Lafleur The Zhou Culotte - Eco Heavy Soft Wave
The shape of these pants is beyond flattering on every body type and so easy to wear. They’re effortless in that they match everything, while making all our other clothes look like we spent 4x as much on them. They size up to 20 and have incredible reviews to sift through if you need convincing.
Price: $275
Novawo Wool Scarf
Gorgeous, ombre, and wool - all the ideal ways for a scarf to make your boring clothes suddenly look STYLED.
Price: $25
Coach Lyla Leather Derby
Two words: tomboy feminine.
Price: $195
7. this EDGY FRENCH LADY LOOK
Quince 100% Suede Biker Jacket
We’ve spoken of the powers of a sleek leather jacket. Well, ditto suede. This one looks 3x more expensive than it is, and when we scoop it up on our way out the door, we know our dull denim outfits will be instantly elevated.
Price: $198
J. Crew Classic mariner cloth boatneck T-shirt in stripe
We borrowed this trick from every impeccably dressed French woman. And that is to own a striped boatneck tee (also known as a mariniére) that magically turns clothes into a look. We wear this one under the above jacket with jeans and get dozens of compliments. And yet, it’s sooo easy.
Price: $24.50
Quince Stretch High Rise Skinny Jeans
We know skinny jeans are a great way to balance out looser taps and to tuck neatly into ankle boots but we’d yet to find a pair we could stand the feeling of on our hips and waists and legs. The stretch and softness are incredible on these jeans. They’re like your most buttery leggings but they never stretch out or lose their polished shape. And the price is just wild!
Price: $50
Beek Grouse Slouchy Suede Boot
We know these are the definition of an investment, but we’ve never found a boot like this. Almost rugged, yet supremely chic with the soft suede. The ankle length is incredible with so many of our jeans. And by the way, this is the dream boot for those of us with thicker calves.
Use the code CANDIDLY10 for 10% off.
Price: $425
8. This FOOLPROOF WAY TO WEAR A FITTED DRESS
Éterne Long Sleeve Turtleneck Maxi Dress
We’re intimidated by really tight-fitting clothes, but we also really want to achieve that gazelle-like look of a long, fitted dress. The answer was in front of us all along. Take a gorgeous, soft, smoothing dress like this stunning turtleneck from Éterne and pair it with an oversized blazer, so the lines stay clean and the look stays poloshed but we get complete, comfort-giving coverage.
Price: $265
Favorite Daughter The Suits You Blazer
A Favorite Daughter blazer is, as far as we’re concerned, an heirloom piece - from the quality, to the cut, to the unbelievably flattering proportions. The pinstripe will do wonders in terms of making all your jeans and tee outfits 12x better, but it’s also perfection over fitted dresses.
Price: $378
Vivaia Square-Toe Water-Repellent Wool Knee High Boots (Rebecca Pro）
The same unbelievably comfy boots mentioned above but in tall so we can wear them under skirts and look outrageously chic whilst feeling like the slobs we truly are inside.
Price: $149
9. This Admittedly Trendy White Tee Peeking Out From A Crewneck Look
Aritzia Wilfred Sonder Sweater
We’re just gonna say it. If you’re going to buy anything on this list, buy this sweater. The softness is on a level that can’t be explained but must be felt. It’s very flattering for a crewneck and with the white tee showing underneath, you get that “oops, I’m accidentally the chicest person in the room without even trying” effect. The sleeves narrow shoulders and feel great over a thicker arm. And the length is perfectly tuckable into jeans. Oh and just for fun, you can see one of us modeling it in some of the many colors it comes in HERE.
Price: $118
Leset The Margo
We’ve heard many people rave about this white tee, and we have to say it’s hard to find fault with it. The quality and cut makes it so it falls just right on our bodies. Basically, if you’ve been looking for that one “nice” tee to invest it, she’s your gal.
Price: $78
Madewell 10" High-Rise Skinny Jeans
When it comes to skinny jeans, you could definitely go for the $50 pair above and won’t be sorry, but if you’re on the taller side or want a pair that’s just a touch longer and more high-waisted, you cannot go wrong with these. They’re gorgeous with boots (no puckering at the ankle) and also lovely with ballet flats. Pro tip: get them in black too, and they’ll be your comfiest going-out jeans.
Price: $128
10. THIS CASJ WAY TO WEAR A CROPPED PANT
The Colette Denim High-Rise Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans by Maeve
Just say it. You’re sick of hearing us go on and on about these pants. Or maybe you’re new here, in which case, welcome to what’s essentially become the fan club of these pants. No, we’re not sponsored by Anthropologie (we wish!) but that won’t stop us from talking about how these are the most magically flattering cropped pants on curves known to (wo)man. This is the jeans version, and they feel incredible in terms of stretch and breathability, yet we look so polished and smart and also kinda youthful in them.
Price: $130
Spanx The Perfect Oversized Blazer
We love how an oversized blazer looks with a cropped wide-leg pant and a soft, whispery TEE. It’s still classic but more modern than a rectangle shaped suit. And if you’re looking for a stretchy blazer that makes you look tailored but also cool with zero stiff arm restriction, allow us to introduce you to this one. It happens to be insanely on sale. But it was our favorite long before that.
Price: $59
Dr. Scholl's Time Off Platform Sneaker
A white sneaker is the way to make an all-black trouser/ blazer combo more casual and youthful and still have it look smart and sophisticated. This one is as graceful and feminine as a ballet flat but as orthopedically comfortable as a Dr. Scholl’s sneak. The dream combo, no?
Price: $70
Quince Italian Leather Medium Convertible Satchel
If we’re going a little more casual with our footwear, we go more refined with our bag. Like we keep sayin’ - it’s all about balance. And this bag from Quince is Italian leather but again, a price that makes you do a doubletake.
Price: $160
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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