Carla Gem Buyo

Metro Most Stylish Women And The Style Lessons They Learned In Their 20s, 30s, 40s, and Beyond

Article (news)

<p>Fashion has never been one-size-fits-all. While there are countless trend forecasts, it’s important to follow what feels authentic to you. The most valuable lessons often come from your own experience: trying on silhouettes you never thought you&#x27;d like, experimenting with colors outside your comfort zone, mixing pieces in unexpected ways, or even wearing outfits that don&#x27;t work out. </p><div><br/></div><p>For <strong>Metro&#x27;s Most Stylish</strong> women, their <strong>20s</strong>, <strong>30s</strong>, and <strong>40s</strong> each brought defining lessons that shaped how they dress and perceive themselves. Some still hold close the advice passed down by the people who know them best, while others found clarity through experimentation or by letting go of long-held beliefs that no longer served them.<br/><br/>Ahead, discover the style lessons that stayed with them through the years—and how their experiences might inspire the way you approach your own personal style.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Ella Pangilinan-Miranda</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785772114391boggydiaz_1760068943_3740051830098485318_278324835.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ellapangilinanx on Instagram</span></span></span></div><p>Metro: What is the most important style lesson you learned in your 20s and how has it shaped the way you dress today?</p><p>Ella Pangilinan: I learned how important it is to dress for myself and not others expectations. In my early 20s, I associated style with looking “mature” so I was mostly in B&amp;W and basics. My husband (then boyfriend) encouraged me to embrace the playful, colorful side of my personality and it changed how I approached getting dressed. Today, I think it’s still important to invest in quality timeless basics but also have fun with unique pieces that tell a story and make me happy. The most stylish women are the ones who can dress authentically for themselves.</p><div><br/></div><p>M: Looking back, is there a fashion rule or mindset you once believed in that you’ve since let go of?</p><p>EP: I used to think to be stylish I had to keep up with what’s new and fresh and keep saving up for branded luxury items, now I shop more intentionally, things I know I’ll actually wear, love and keep for years. I’m completely comfortable repeating outfits, renting for occasions, experimenting and mixing pieces as opposed to intentionally matching. Now I feel great style is less about keeping up and more about having a point of view. Building a wardrobe that reflects my personality and lifestyle. And now that it evolves! And just gets better through time. So I’m excited for what else I get to discover about myself now that I just turned 30.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Laureen Uy-Cruz</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785772415988laureen_1782962107_3932091249133434802_52415545.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @laureen on Instagram</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">Metro: What is the most important style lesson you learned in your 30s and how has it shaped the way you dress today?</p><p style="text-align:left">Laureen Uy: In my 20s, it was actually the peak of my experimental era! I had just started blogging and was enjoying figuring out my personal style. I think the biggest lesson I learned is that it isn’t really about just following trends— it’s about injecting trends into your personal style. I tried all kinds of outfits but over time I realized that the looks I felt most confident in were the ones that reflected my personality. Up until now I still love experimenting and playing with fashion, but I’m much more intentional now. What’s most important? Comfort, confidence, and authenticity.</p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>M: Looking back, is there a fashion rule or mindset you once believed in that you’ve since let go of?</p><p>LU: When I was younger, I used to think that you had to dress according to certain rules—silver can’t be mixed with gold, that some colors don’t go together, or you have to “dress your age.” But why put limits to fashion?  Fashion is supposed to be fun and personal. Some of my fave looks come from unexpected combinations or something I thought of last minute because it made me feel happy. Now I’m happy just doing less rules and more me.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Camille Co-Koro</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785772389452itscamilleco_1785730586_3955316136145178294_19734633.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @itscamilleco on Instagram</span></span></span></strong></div><p>Metro: What is the most important style lesson you learned in your 30s and how has it shaped the way you dress today?</p><p>Camille Co: Fit is everything. If something doesn’t fit well, it’ll not only affect how you look but how you feel in it as well. Style and confidence go hand in hand so you need to feel confident in what you’re wearing to really sell it.</p><div><br/></div><p>M: Looking back, is there a fashion rule or mindset you once believed in that you’ve since let go of?</p><p>CC: I don’t think so because I’ve always had a very open mindset when it comes to fashion and experimenting with different styles. And as for the few fashion rules I truly believe in, I don’t think I’ve broken them yet. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Mikaela Lagdameo</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785772747095mikalagdameo_1779530434_3903306136480389586_35950998.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @mikaelalagdameo on Instagram</span></span></span></strong></div><p>Metro: What is the most important style lesson you learned in your 30s and how has it shaped the way you dress today?</p><p>Mikaela Lagdameo: The most important style lesson i learned in my 30s is that classic styles over trendy ones are the way to go!  It’s nice to always go back and re-wear them. Today, i still have a lot of pieces from over 10 years ago and they still work! </p><div><br/></div><p>M: Looking back, is there a fashion rule or mindset you once believed in that you’ve since let go of?</p><p>ML:  A fashion rule or mindset i’ve let go of is that i don&#x27;t have to keep shopping for something new! That&#x27;s why its so good to have clothes that last and are made well.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Stephanie Zubiri</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785772846454stephaniezubiri_1778816009_3897312799844425972_196665126.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @stephaniezubiri on Instagram</span></span></span></strong></div><p>Metro: What is the most important style lesson you learned in your 30s and how has it shaped the way you dress today?</p><p>Stephanie Zubiri: Honestly, I don’t think I learned this in my 30s. I learned it as a child because my mother was a fashion designer with her own label, Victoria Two, so I grew up immersed in that world. The number one lesson she taught me was that fit and form matter more than fashion or trends. It doesn’t matter how expensive, beautiful or designer a dress is. If it doesn’t fit you well, there’s no point. Sometimes the dress ends up wearing you instead of the other way around.</p><p>I’ve always had a curvy body. I have breasts, hips, a butt and a small waist, so over the years I’ve learned what silhouettes truly work for me. Ironically, I look best in pieces that are quite fitted at the waist, even body-hugging styles. I absolutely love the sculptural, oversized Issey Miyake aesthetic and I think it’s so cool and artistic. I wish I could be that person, but every time I try, I just end up looking like a Teletubby!</p><p>Now that I’m 41 and a mother of two, that lesson still guides everything I wear. More than trends, I value great tailoring, beautiful construction, quality seams and clothes that honor my shape rather than fight against it.</p><div><br/></div><p>M: Looking back, is there a fashion rule or mindset you once believed in that you’ve since let go of?</p><p>SZ: For a long time, I think I was a victim of the lens the patriarchy often puts on women. I felt like I always had to look sexy, hot or conventionally attractive. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that while I still love feeling sexy, it’s no longer for anyone else. It’s for me.</p><p>I’ve also started embracing clothes simply because they make me happy. Maybe it’s a shirt that’s buttoned all the way up but in the most joyful, unexpected color. Maybe it’s a wild print or an outfit that just makes me smile. I’ve realized that fashion can be playful and expressive, not just flattering.</p><p>I’ve also let go of the idea that I need a signature style. For years, I thought I had to cultivate one distinct look, but why? Some days I want to wear earth tones and linen and feel very minimal. Other days I want to look like Rainbow Brite meets Cher. For my 40th birthday, I wore this incredible rainbow dress by Rajo, and it felt so unapologetically joyful.</p><p>I think I used to over-curate my wardrobe and take fashion a little too seriously. Now I just wear what feels right that day, have fun with it, and let my clothes reflect my mood instead of trying to fit into a single aesthetic. That’s been incredibly freeing.</p><div><br/></div><div><em>Read more fashion stories on Metro.Style</em></div>

<p>Here are helpful fashion tips from Metro's Most Stylish women.</p>

Here are helpful fashion tips from Metro's Most Stylish women.

Metro Most Stylish Women and The Style Lessons They Learned In Their 20s, 30s, 40s, and Beyond

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Metro Most Stylish Women and The Style Lessons They Learned In Their 20s, 30s, 40s, and Beyond

Carla Buyo

Published August 03, 2026 10:00 AM PHT

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Updated August 04, 2026 01:17 PM PHT

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metro most stylish

camille co

laureen uy

ella pangilinan

mikaela lagdameo

stephanie zubiri

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