There comes a time in a woman's life when the things she has amassed through years of shopping no longer do. That teeny tiny pair of shorts may have been a good idea when you still bore toned, cellulite-free legs, but now, after a few pregnancies? Not so much. Similarly, hand-me-downs from dear old Mom may look elegant on a woman of a certain age, but on someone barely out of her teens, they're matronly and stiff.

There are, however, certain clothing designs that transcend age and time. These are the pieces you invest in now and can still don years down the road. To help you look chic no matter what age you are, we've taken seven closet must-haves—from the LBD to the white button-down—and styled them in ensembles appropriate for women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Browse through the gallery to check them out!

(Photos by Mike Dee. Styling by Patricia Dayacap. Assisted by Jennifer Chan, Angela Abril, Michaela Dee, and Luigi Pacheco.)