Great style in your 20s, 30s and 40s

IN YOUR 20s

Fiona Green, Assistant Fashion Editor, 22

My personal style is a work in progress. Your 20s should be about experimenting with style, so I try to have fun and not overthink my look. At the moment, I'm wearing drapey, deconstructed and layered pieces. I steer clear of overly frilly, lacy or girlie pieces; with my red hair and freckles, I'd look like I was still in junior kindergarten.

What I've learned so far in my 2Os

• My on-the-go lifestyle demands a flexible wardrobe. Spin a look that takes you from school to work to a party.
• Choose a signature accessory that will withstand the test of time, and start collecting them now, such as a pair of black Louboutin pumps or a Chanel timepiece. Don't spend much on trendier pieces.
• Shop secondhand for the latest '80s-inspired runway looks on a budget. Seek out power-shoulder blazers, bandage dresses and classic leather motorcycle jackets from your favourite vintage haunt.
• I never preplan what I'm going to wear the next day. For me, style is a very instinctive thing, so I'll dress for the moment.

Rules I live by

• I can't live without wicked high-heels. I'll happily wear amazing bargain finds from H&M and Zara if it means breaking the bank on this season's black lace-up sandals from Ann Demeulemeester.
• I love shopping online and in consignment shops for clothes and shoes from the late 1990s/early 2000s. It's like discovering a band for the first time that already has a lengthy discography - there's a whole history to dive into and enjoy before the next album drops.
• Every season, I buy one wardrobe staple. Many women have collected these already, but I'm only just getting started. Last summer, I bought my first pair of designer sunglasses and, this season, I bought my first designer bag.

IN YOUR 30s

Elizabeth Cabral, Fashion Director, 32

The beauty of fashion in your 30s is you're young enough to push the envelope and have fun, and you have the maturity to be confident in your personal style. My style sensibility is simple: I prefer minimalist pieces - aside from that year I experimented with bohemian florals and girlie empire-waist dresses. I now base my wardrobe on long-lasting classics and versatile trend pieces that have an edge. I describe my style in two words: "artfully undone" - louche but polished. I have a collection of investment blazers and jackets I wear with everything from cheap denim to dresses (I'll even wear a shrunken leather jacket over formal attire). Because my frame is petite, I find looser, fluid silhouettes work best as a base. And I avoid girlie pieces or I risk looking too young.

What I've learned so far in my 3Os

• Invest in as many pieces to wear forever as your budget allows. I've been wearing the same Chanel jacket for seven years now.
• Be fashionable, not a fashion victim. That means no bare-legged minis in the middle of winter or skyscraper heels you can't walk in.
• Confidence is your No. 1 accessory - without it, you'll never be able to pull off that bondage-inspired dress.
• Work it while you can. You won't see me in a cropped top ever again, but I'm going to wear microminis for a long time yet.
• Narrow your focus. Experimenting is fun but, by now, you should have an idea of how to express your individuality. Fashion is a reflection of you, so find your look - fierce fashion warrior, carefree boho or classic pearls-and-sheath gal - and stick to it.