If you’re reading or watching content about style or clothing, you will undoubtedly hear two words: timeless and classic. But have you ever stopped to think about what timeless and classic actually mean?
I know you can define both words, but what precisely is their practical implication regarding style and clothing? Throwing those two words around like a frisbee without understanding their implications can cause some style complications.
If you’re referring to an item as classic or timeless, does that mean it’s the opposite of trendy? You know what trendy is. Trends come and go. Certain items are in style one minute and then out of style the next. Trends are drastic or extremes of a particular item.
To paint the picture, let’s first talk about shoes. When you see shoes that are really super pointy, that’s a trend. If the shoes are very wide and square, that’s a trend. When you see shoes with flipped-up toes, that’s an exaggerated trend.
The timeless shoe is typically shaped with slight elongation. It is not ornate or has many crazy colors, straps, or buckles. It could have been popular 10 years ago or 10 years from now. It’s not necessarily fashion-forward, but that’s okay. Timeless will stand the test of time.
Now, let’s look at sports coats. The lapels are a great example of a trend. A skinny lapel is an example of a trend that slowly trended wider again. The same goes for ties that were super skinny and then became wider. With jackets, the lapels that are considered timeless are standard-shaped with a 2.5- to 3-inch lapel. Anything broader or thinner is a trend. The standard 2.5 – to 3-inch lapel with a two-button fasten is timeless. Even three buttons could be considered a bit trendy.
This jacket would be timeless if it fits you properly and comes down to your thumb and knuckle. That’s a classic cut jacket that is so stylish that you saw Cary Grant wearing it, and you’ll end up seeing a 40-year-old Tom Holland wearing it. It’s referred to as timeless and classic. Anything extreme would not be considered timeless or classic. It’s a trend.
When buying clothing, you want to make sure you’re buying clothes that will be popular and stylish now and in five years. You’re golden if you stick to solid colors and nothing too bold or embellished. You don’t want to buy a bunch of clothing that goes out of style the next year because then you’ll have to replace your wardrobe.
Stick to primary and basic colors without funky designs or patterns. Don’t spend thousands of dollars on super-trendy clothing that’s oversized, cut-out, or exaggerated. Stick to timeless and classic items for a solid wardrobe foundation that will last years—it’s an investment. A gray V-neck sweater is a great example. It will be appropriate and last a long time.
You can always balance your wardrobe with regular & mainstream clothing versus clothing that pushes boundaries. That being said, nothing in my wardrobe immediately reads odd or offbeat. I’ve mostly shifted to a more traditional style: rinse and repeat using varying combinations. It’s basic and works for me.
Then, I accentuate the basics with statement pieces like my leather jackets. But again, those are timeless and classic as well. My wardrobe is about 90% classic or traditional, with a couple of pairs of shoes, shirts, and jackets that would be considered modern or trendy.
The most significant factor in classic or timeless pieces is simplicity—simple cut and fit with basic colors and without faddish designs and embellishments. The trendier an item is, the less likely it is to be considered classic. Trendy and classic are on opposite sides of the spectrum, with some exceptions because classic styles do make their rounds in trends. When thinking of classic or timeless, envision a garment that could be worn in any decade from the 1920s to today.
But I’ll end with this: Nothing is truly timeless. How long can someone reasonably expect to wear an item? Textile technology has changed, and nothing from a century ago, even in perfect condition, passes for modern clothing. What’s the point in looking for clothes that are last longer than they’re in style?
The realistic goal is for an item to be wearable for 10 years. Think about it; that’s how long prominent jeans silhouettes have lasted. We went from boot-cut to skinny to straight leg. It’s tough to find clothes that will last longer than that with regular wear anyway.
