There are some things in life that are absolutely certain – death, taxes, and the current fashion trends changing. In fact, the changes take place so frequently new trends are debuted or promoted at events like Fashion Week on a regular basis. Taking this into account, it is easy to see why all the changes could impact one’s ability to fill their closet with modern pieces consistently. It is simply not financially feasible for most. That being said, giving up fashion entirely is far too drastic.
But how does one strike a balance between trends and reality? The answer is to take advantage of the timeless clothing items available. Fashion designer Ralph Lauren highlighted the difference between style and fashion, “Style is very important. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style lasts forever.”
What are the items which fall into the style category? We connected with ten different people to understand what they believe are the classic pieces that never go out of style.
White dress shirt
Karim Hachem is the VP of eCommerce of Maxine of Hollywood, a brand offering stylish and modest swimsuits. He believes one of the best items no matter the occasion is the well known shirt because of how it stands out.
“A clean white dress shirt does so much despite its simplicity. For me, the biggest benefit is that wherever you wear it, it will draw eyes. The sharp, untainted color compliments any other clothing items while remaining prominent itself. On top of this, it’s good for any occasion. If you’re headed to a wedding, a white dress shirt is perfect. But, if you’re on the back porch with the grill, it works just as well. There’s a reason why this shirt has never disappeared from society.”
Black dress
Mark Henry specializes in jewelry made of natural alexandrite gem. Their Creative Director, Haim Medine, suggests the iconic, solid colored dress as it has been shown to be a staple for style.
“While dresses usually trend in the direction of formality, everyone should have a black dress on hand for when the circumstances call for it. There are a variety of cuts and styles available when it comes to this item but in my opinion, the simpler the better. For example, I always think of the dress Aubrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. That one in particular may be a little over the top for some scenarios. However, it’s not a look that has lost any appeal as evidenced by that dress in that movie.”
Knitwear
Grandma’s home-knit sweaters may come to mind upon seeing the word knitwear but those versions of these items may not have ever been in style. Andar is a business providing full grain leather wallets and leather goods. Their Co-Founder, Eric Elggren, considers high-quality knitwear to be long-lasting.
“The beauty of something like cashmere is that you can use it in more than one season. The temperatures of spring and fall allow a crew neck to be worn on its own while it can contribute to layering in the winter. While many styles are available, solid colors tend to stand the test of time. Knitted items have a way of adding a sense of intelligence to any wearer so you really can’t go wrong with them.”
Trench coat
Karim Hachem is the VP of eCommerce at La Blanca, a brand offering women’s swimsuits, bathing suits, and bikinis. He advises others to add a trench coat to their closet as it has proven to be a dependably stylish piece.
“It’s funny when you think about it. In our world today, the trench coat is most usually associated with the upper class or people of means. But it was first created for members of the army to keep them warm and dry. In the proper climate, a coat like this pairs well with just about anything while also complementing the person wearing it. It’s also one of those things that can be worn by any one for any moment. If you’re looking for warmth and character, this is the way to go.”
Jeans
KOKOLU specializes in sustainable fashion and lifestyle brands. Their Head of Brand and Business Development, Gigi Ji, believes the long run that denim pants have had supports the idea that they will never go out of style.
“If there’s one type of clothing that has never fallen out of favor it’s jeans. That’s not to say they’re perfect. There are certain styles of jeans that aren’t always popular at a given time such as torn or disco jeans because they can be somewhat excessive visually. The darker blues with a clean cut look are the way to go. But, for decades and decades, jeans have offered versatility that cannot be achieved by most other clothing items. Whether you’re going hiking or out to dinner, a traditional pair of jeans is very ageless.”
Scarf
There are a few items which offer a handful of different uses, practically and from a fashion perspective. The tried and true scarf falls into this category. Sebastian Cruz Couture is a business providing party dresses and formal garments. Their Co-Founder, Cesar Cruz, suggests including them in a wardrobe.
“Scarves can function in so many ways if you know how to use them correctly. From securing hair, to being an accessory tie, to using it as a belt, a scarf is a great highlighter which can demonstrate personality. This can be an effective way to add character to an outfit that you feel may be lacking. Some patterns may not always be fashionable but there are some classic looks which you can confidently wear whenever.”
Cardigan
Zach Goldstein is the CEO of Public Rec, a brand offering a cool and new brand of athleisure apparel. He advises fashion conscious people to look towards cardigans if they are seeking pieces that represent endurance.
“With cardigans comes creativity. Their design allows for the item to take on a lot of different looks in a way that still looks like it could be worn forever. Thicker wool cardigans are great for the colder season and a very cozy look when paired with jeans. On the other hand, the thinner cardigans are wonderful for the office or a casual night out. Basically, formal or relaxed outfits are always possible with a cardigan involved. Just make sure to keep them simple to avoid any design that may become unfavorable.”
Leggings
Glamnetic specializes in magnetic eyelashes. Their CEO, Ann McFerran, considers leggings to be a quintessential element of personal dressing for their clean appearance and assortment of uses.
“It wasn’t until recently that leggings rose to power in the clothing world but they;ve shown that they’re here to stay. Not only are they extremely comfortable, they’re more than presentable. I’d argue that the best part about them is that they can be worn regardless of the event. A relaxed outfit that is also good-looking? Sign me up. Second to that, there’s so many variants of this fundamental piece that offer practicality on top of comfort, everyone can find the pair that works for them. It’s really hard to go wrong with these in your dresser.”
Black blazer
Suit styles have come and gone but no matter what, black has been eternally in. Black jackets have been the go to for hundreds of years. Diamond Mansion is a business providing unique and handcrafted engagement rings. Their CEO and Founder, Omid Semino, believes this item is essential.
“I consider the black blazer to be one of those pieces that you can always use to elevate a look or outfit. Though a high-quality, tailored, jacket won’t come cheap, the impact it will make will be undeniable. If you want to throw it on over a t-shirt, it’s the ideal compliment to an otherwise ordinary outfit. It can also be used in a professional setting without a second thought. A little discussed perk to this piece is the feeling of personal power that comes with it.”
T-shirt
Jae Pak is the Founder of Jae Pak MD Medical, a brand offering hair transplant services. He believes every personal selection of clothing can prosper from the addition of straightforward t-shirts.
“Everyone likes a good t-shirt because it’s simple and always convenient. Any piece of clothing that requires little effort is a winner in my book and t-shirts accomplish just that. When poorly chosen, a t-shirt can easily overpower the person wearing it and ruin any getup. When exceptional t-shirts are in play as a base item or layering option, it’s usually a good thing. Be sure to find shirts that will obviously retain their form and quality as time wears on or you could end up with the dreaded bacon neck.”
Having clothing items at the ready that cover all your fashion needs despite the constant developments is a must for any fashion-forward person. The winds of fashion are always shifting and that brings transition into new trends and fads. This means balancing trends and staples side-by-side can be complicated. But doing so is a great benefit as great outfits can set someone apart. Fashion designer
Vivienne Westwood summed this up, “Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.”