6 Secrets of Stylish Women

3. Know neutral colors, simple lines look luxurious

The idea of “quiet luxury” or “stealth wealth” that rejects recognizable logos and designer labels is buzzing on social media. It’s not really new for stylish women who tend to favor simple uncluttered silhouettes that are relaxed in fit and low-key colors like beige, ivory, camel and gray in addition to the usual black and navy. Some perfect examples are an ivory sweater like the & Other Stories Ribbed Knit Cardigan in Cream ($99, stories.com) worn with toned-to-match tailored pants for a monochromatic look; or tan pants like the Mango Belt Culotte Trousers in Medium Brown ($70, mango.com/us) worn with an ivory sweater and a supple jersey tee like the H&M Long Sleeved Jersey Top in Taupe and White ($13 each, ​www2.hm.com). It’s the real secret to making lower-cost clothes look posh, sophisticated and confident.

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ALEX MILL / H&M / The Talbots, Inc.

4. Let tailored jackets do the hard part

Many stylish women depend on a base “uniform” of pants or jeans and tees but never leave the house without adding a jacket. It’s that third “power piece” that counts most — sharpening even the most casual outfit, creating a pulled-together look and adding attitude. Start collecting different kinds of jackets in style, fit and fabric, and keep them in rotation. Aside from blazers, consider a spruced-up denim jacket like the Alex Mill Britt Work Jacket in Recycled Denim in Paprika ($195, alexmill.com), a crisp cropped jacket like the Talbot’s Military Jacket in Indigo Blue ($199, talbots.com) or a couture-inspired tweedy style like the H&M Textured Jacket in Grey Melange ($119, www2.hm.com). You can’t have too many.

Jill Acquisition LLC. / Saks Fifth Avenue / Bloomingdale's

5. Insist on fashion that’s comfortable

Long before athleisure clothes and sneakers, stylish women like Coco Chanel insisted on clothes and shoes they could walk, sit and think in without complaining. Today the 50-plus style-pack still rejects new trends that feel psychologically or physically uncomfortable or are just plain silly. Instead, they look for chic knit pull-on pants like the Norma Kamali Bootcut Knit Pants in Black ($110, bloomingdales.com), long relaxed tunic tops like the J.Jill Sandwashed Shirttail Tunic in Brown Sugar ($89, jjill.com) and elegant square toe flats that don’t cram tootsies like the Marc Fisher Ubet Suede Ballet Flats in Black ($120, saksfifthavenue.com). 

6. Mix it up

Stylish women never wear “outfits” the way you see them in magazines, store displays or online sites. They buy one or two current pieces and pair them with the “oldies” in their closet for a personalized look. It’s the very individual mix of casual, tailored, dressy and sporty items — old and new — that does it. This fall style mavens are adding midi skirts in denim or faux leather like the Treasure & Bond Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Black ($79, nordstrom.com), new twists on the tee like the Gap Modern Button Front T-Shirt in Black and New Off White ($39 each, gap.com), low slingback heels like the Ann Taylor Suede Square Toe Kitten Heel Slingback Pumps in Black ($148, anntaylor.com) and oversized button-downs like the a.n.a. Womens Long Sleeve Oversized Button-Down Shirt in Thea Blue Stripe ($35, jcpenney.com) to last year’s haul. Pull out your black leather pants, balloon-sleeve sweaters and Coastal Grandma clothes — they’re about to make some new friends.