I will proudly state that last month, I turned 44; I am middle-aged, and it is a widely known fact that great style is ageless. Some of the most stylish women in fashion are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s and have spent a lifetime curating their refined looks while still making current trends work for them. And, while some of my friends are reluctant to admit how old we have found ourselves, I am ready to embrace this era of my life with sophistication and a few styling tricks up my sleeve.

First and foremost, tailoring. Getting the right fit can make you feel and look incredible. Investing in a good-quality blazer and trousers is not only a shrewd choice, but having them customized, with a few adjustments, will ensure you get wear out of them for years to come. Suiting separates can be quite versatile. You can make a blazer evening-ready by swapping the trouser for an A-line or shift dress. On the flip side, a classic pant can go casual with a long-sleeved shirt and denim jacket. Of course, you can pick up a full suit from the likes of J.Crew or Anne Taylor, but I like to thrift blazers, especially if I’m planning on having them tailored anyway. Then, find neutral trousers from Banana Republic that coordinate with several of my secondhand blazers. BR works best for me; you may have to scout around to find the brand of pant that suits you with minimal tailoring. I know that with Banana Republic, I’ll just require a bit of hemming.

When in doubt, wear black. There is something to be said about the sense of mystery and edgy maturity that an all-black outfit can portray. All witchery aside, elegant, refined, and understated, black is a reliable fail-safe for when you want to look put together with minimal effort. The over 40 crowd should trade in the Little Black Dress for a different type of LBD, the Long Black Dress. A voluminous midi or sweeping maxi weighs highly on the style scale. Quince has you covered with both. Their Ribbed Long Sleeve Crew Midi in black is a chic knitwear number for the season, while their Organic Cotton Tiered maxi is a solid base to layer on with more black pieces. Be creative with black layers and mix in different textures for a mature yet eclectic look.

However, a stylish woman cannot live on one color alone. After mastering head-to-toe black, don’t be afraid to bring in some statement prints and bright colors into your style repertoire. Middle age should be a time to enjoy life, so celebrate with the joy of dressing up by embracing different colors and prints for a look that’ll turn heads for all the right reasons. You can coordinate contrasting colors like pink and red or simply sport a boldly shaded coat over a standard jeans and button-down outfit. Wolf & Badger’s Large Collar Belted Coat comes in a bright green or citrusy lemon-lime to liven up your look.

Speaking of outerwear, having a trench coat in your wardrobe lineup is one of the smartest plays you can make when coordinating an over-40 ensemble. During this transitional period, as we head into a cool fall, a trench is a key layering piece that you can wear oversized and undone for autumn, then turn toward a leather version for winter. Trenches are also a great item to thrift and have tailored. Eloquii has a Croc Faux Leather Trench in tawny port that calls to the bright color technique above and comes in inclusive sizes of 14-32. A good trench wears well over a knit dress and flats just as easily as wide-legged jeans and boots.

For those of us who have been around the style block, a common dilemma is how to make a simple outfit feel a bit more special. 40-some women can look so chic in a minimal outfit, but we still want to have a bit of fun. The solution? Playing with different textures in one look. The trick here is to pair the unexpected to create a point of interest. Take a chunky knit and a satin skirt. A tweedy jacket and faux-leather trousers. A floaty maxi dress with a sporty coat. The key is to find a balance and not pile on too many fabrics, but instead create contrast with two or three.

Another balance to consider is proportion. With age should come confidence, so don’t be afraid of going a bit big in your look. Big sleeves, a big skirt, voluminous dress, and oversized knits can all bring some well-earned drama to your style. Just don’t get carried away; remember balance. A boxy blazer doesn’t need over-accessorizing. Keep jewelry to a minimum and the shoes and bag simple. A swinging circle skirt can be fun yet refined with a skimming cashmere knit V-neck and flats.

Stylish dressing after 40 is more than feasible; in fact, it should be inevitable as you’ve learned lessons and built your wardrobe over time. The key is staying true to your personal style and being mindful in your approach to shopping. Hopefully, some of these techniques will help guide you as you continue your style journey for many years to come.