I use to rock the Bodycon dress a lot before I got married. But after, I just didn’t feel comfortable wearing them. Not to mention, after I turned 30 and had a baby. But I still love a good Bodycon dress every now and then. Maybe not the Herve Leger one I sported at my Bachelorette party but ones like this that have a side knot detail or one with rouching. This dress is considered a Bodycon dress because it hugs your body. Bodycon dresses don’t have to only be bandage dresses. That’s a popular style of Bodycon dress but in your 30’s and beyond I don’t think they’re as appropriate for daily wear. Don’t get me wrong on occasion they’re still totally appropriate cocktail attire! But, styling a Bodycon dress in your 30’s is a little different than in your 20’s. I love to pair mine with a cape (like the one I’m wearing here that I got in my Fall Box of Style) or cardigan that’s looser fitting. I also look for a midi style dress as opposed to a mini. If you’ve got your heart set on a mini bodycon dress wear it with a longer cardigan over so that the length in the back doesn’t look too short.
For fall and winter I continue to get wear out of my lightweight dresses, including this bodycon dress by wearing them with over the knee boots and/or with tights and leggings. This dress is perfect for fall and winter because the color is muted and goes well with the seasonal colors that I gravitate towards. I found this one at my local Nordstrom Rack for a steal but it’s sold out in Olive. There are some identical options in different colors and similar styles which I’ll share with you at the end.
5 Tips for Styling a Bodycon dress in your 30’s:
1. Find one with rouching on the sides or a side knot to give some waist definition. And steer clear of body hugging, skin tight bandage style dresses. Those work for the occasional cocktail party or NYE but not for everyday IMO!
2. Wear with a looser layer over like a cardigan or cape. This helps to not call too much attention to your body and more the overall look. PS there’s nothing wrong with calling attention to your body. If you love it, rock it. I’m all for body positivity and loving the body and skin you’re in. This has nothing to do with that more so being tasteful in your everyday wardrobe. And again, I’m just more comfortable being a little more conservative now that I’m in my 30’s, married, and a mom.
3. Style with boots, booties, or OTK boots. As opposed to sky high stilettos, like you may have done in the past 😉 Especially in fall and winter I can’t get enough of my boots so I want to wear them as much as possible. I’d also suggest a chunky heel if you want to go the route of wearing a high heel.
4. This one might seem a little odd but wear with neutral makeup. Your dress will command the attention so toning down your makeup with make the look more age appropriate and not competing with your overall look. Honestly though, I rarely wear a bold lip anymore. I guess I’m all about the 5 minute mom makeup routine and so I stick with more neutral colors since I don’t have a full face of makeup.
5. Look for materials like cotton, jersey, or knits. This is as opposed to bandage style or elastic material dresses. I coveted my Herve Leger dress that I bought over 6.5 years ago and wore it to more than just my bachelorette party but those days are over in my book. I just don’t feel as confident (or sexy) in a bandage dress like I use to. Now I get that sexy mama feeling from my bodycon dresses that are cotton knit.
I hope you found some or all of these tips to be helpful!!
Dress: Trouvé (sold out in Olive but still available in Poppy, Burgundy, Black and Green). Cape: Cleobella c/o Box of Style (found a few being sold on eBay). Boots: Stuart Weitzman, old (almost identical pair). Sunglasses: Tom Ford c/o. Handbag: Chanel.
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As always, thank you so much for stopping by the blog today!
Photos by MS Photo and Video.
