How to Dress More Maturely

Last Updated: February 27, 2022 References

If you’re ready to show the world that you’re a fully fledged adult, try starting with a wardrobe update. A few easy changes to your style can go a long way in making you look like a mature, capable individual. You may find that people are more likely to respect your opinion and take you seriously. And, best of all, you won't need to sacrifice your personal sense of individuality in the process!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Building up a Wardrobe with the Basics

1
Stock up on neutral colors. People tend to associate bright colors with kids and more subdued colors with adults. If you’re not ready to completely give up bright colors, try pairing them with browns, blacks, greys or whites.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.}
- No need to toss out the bright colored tees from your youth just yet. Throw on a neutral blazer over a t-shirt to instantly elevate your look without suppressing your personal style.^{[2]
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- Check if you have closet essentials like a high-quality t-shirt of a solid color that you can dress up or down.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Cassandra Sethi
  Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}
- A super-soft black, grey, white, or navy sweater.^{[4]
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  Cassandra Sethi
  Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}
- Comfortable yet good-looking trousers that you can wear even when you step out of your house.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Cassandra Sethi
  Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}
2
Avoid overly distracting clothing. Anything complicated or revealing is likely to cause people to read you as younger than you want them to. Opt for a slightly more conservative appearance, and let your personality and abilities be what stand out in people’s minds.^{[6]
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- Often this is as easy as buttoning up four buttons on a shirt instead of three. Other times it'll require buying slightly more modest items.
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3
Grab a versatile shift dress. A shift dress is a flat, usually sleeveless dress that hangs down from the shoulders without being too form fitting. They’re great for both casual and business-casual settings, making them a staple in many women's wardrobes.^{[7]
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- Stick with neutral colored dresses to really drive home the mature look.^{[8]
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4
Buy a suit or pantsuit in a neutral color. Suits go a long way in projecting a mature air in business settings. A thicker material like wool will exude quality and professionalism.^{[9]
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- If you live in a warm climate, try a tropical wool pantsuit for quality and comfort.^{[10]
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- Just make sure to avoid anything too big and boxy. Oversized clothes can make you look younger than you are.^{[11]
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5
Stock up on button-down shirts or blouses. Button-down blouses are a mainstay of adult men's and women's fashion. Keep a couple in your closet for an easy way to give off a more mature image. ^{[12]
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- For women, try out a silk blouse. It's a great way to bring a little bit of charm into a mature and professional outfit.^{[13]
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- If you're looking for something to wear with a suit, consider a ruffled blouse for a little extra flair.^{[14]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Enhancing the Clothes You Already Own

1
Toss out ill-fitting clothes. Get rid of anything that’s too loose or too tight. While some tight or baggy clothes might look stylish on a young person, on an adult they just look immature. Instead, opt for clothes that fit well to achieve a more adult look.^{[15]
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2
Find yourself a good tailor. Nothing beats a tailored suit, jacket or pair of pants. Even if you’re not prepared to lay out for a fully custom-made wardrobe, consider having a few off the rack outfits tailored to fit you better. Even a minor alteration can make a huge difference in making you look more mature.^{[16]
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3
Tuck in your shirt or blouse.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.} You’ll look much more put together than you did with your shirt half-tucked or untucked and hanging out. you can do a full tuck or just tuck in the front of the shirt, leaving the back loose.^{[18]
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- Some tops, particularly women's tunics and sweaters, are meant to be worn untucked. Leaving these garments untucked doesn't necessarily make you look young.
- If your shirt has tails, or gets longer in the back and shorter in the front, it's probably meant to be tucked in.^{[19]
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- After tucking in your shirt, raise you arms straight up over your head to make sure you haven't tucked too far.^{[20]
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4
Iron, fold, and hang your clothes. Wrinkled clothes scream immaturity! Iron your clothes before you wear them, and fold or hang them properly after you take them off, and you’ll be totally wrinkle free!^{[21]
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- Using a clothes steamer is another option for keeping your shirts smooth and unwrinkled. Steaming will eliminate any lurking odors in the shirt as well.^{[22]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Accessorizing to Look More Mature

1
Buy some more formal shoes.^{[23]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.} Swap the sneakers and sandals for a pair of leather boots, dress shoes, heels, or nice flats. You'll look much more adult than you did in your old tennis shoes.^{[24]
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- A pair of stiletto heels can propel nearly any look into adulthood. Wear them around the office for a more mature image.^{[25]
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- Go for skinny heels over thicker ones. Shoes with skinnier heels tend to be worn by adults, whereas thicker heels are more common to young people.^{[26]
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- Don't underestimate the power of flats. In both casual and business settings, a nice pair of flats or loafers can go a long way in making you look more adult.^{[27]
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2
Shop for a nice statement bag. A statement bag can really help pull a style together, and often serves as the centerpiece for an outfit. A good leather bag that's functional and stylish without being too flashy will really help mature your look.^{[28]
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- Make sure you look for a bag that's big enough to be functional, but not so big that it calls unwarranted attention to it.^{[29]
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3
Invest in a leather briefcase. Men who want to look more mature will benefit from retiring their backpack or messenger bag and making an investment in a high-quality leather briefcase. A good briefcase will last a lifetime, and it'll show the world that you mean business.
4
Consider wearing glasses. A chic pair of glasses will instantly make you seem older and wiser in any setting.^{[30]
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- For a little extra pizzazz, shop for a pair of designer frames.
- If you have a round face, look for frames with angled corners like a retro wingtip or a cat eye shape.
- If you have a more square face, go for round or curved frames.
- People with elongated faces should lean towards frames that are a little wider than their brow line.
5
Wear matching accessories. Aim to have your shoes, handbag, and any other accessories match in color or material. Wearing black leather shoes? Look for a matching black leather handbag and a black hairband. Dressing with a coherent theme will help to make you appear more mature.
6
Don't go overboard on accessories. Although accessories can elevate an outfit, if you wear too many you'll run the risk of coming off as immature.^{[31]
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- Choose one or two accessory pieces, like a necklace and pair of earrings, rather than four or five.^{[32]
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- Understated is usually better than overstated when it comes to accessories that make you look more mature.^{[33]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What you need for a professional wardrobe?

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Cassandra Sethi is a Personal Stylist, Image Consultant, and the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe, a luxury personal styling service for busy professionals. With over 20 years of fashion industry experience, Cassandra helps people transform their confidence by creating a work wardrobe they love to wear. Cassandra holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from California State University, Long Beach, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from the London College of Fashion. She created Soulcycle's retail business and was the Senior Buyer for 90+ Equinox gyms. Cassandra has been featured on New York’s PIX11 in an interview about how to achieve great work-from-home style as well as in Men's Health, Business of Fashion, and NYMag.

Cassandra Sethi

Personal Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Answer

A great blazer in a core color, but it doesn't need to be a traditional one. Try a subtle plaid or pinstripe print, texture like bouclé, or smaller details like buttons or zipper pockets. Layering this over any outfit will add a professional touch.
Question

How can I look more mature?

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Alice Wu is an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Styled by Alice, an image consulting service offering private styling services for men and women. Focused on personalizing the styling experience, Alice provides closet edits, personal shopping, wardrobe planning, and other services such as event styling.

Alice Wu

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

I suggest wearing more neutral colors, tucking your shirt in, and layering your outfit with a mature piece, like a blazer or leather jacket.
Question

What is an essential part of a closet that everyone should have?

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Cassandra Sethi is a Personal Stylist, Image Consultant, and the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe, a luxury personal styling service for busy professionals. With over 20 years of fashion industry experience, Cassandra helps people transform their confidence by creating a work wardrobe they love to wear. Cassandra holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from California State University, Long Beach, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from the London College of Fashion. She created Soulcycle's retail business and was the Senior Buyer for 90+ Equinox gyms. Cassandra has been featured on New York’s PIX11 in an interview about how to achieve great work-from-home style as well as in Men's Health, Business of Fashion, and NYMag.

Cassandra Sethi

Personal Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Answer

A t-shirt is an essential part of a closet that everyone should have. It should be of a solid color and of high quality. A t-shirt that you can dress up or down.