To ask what do you consider timeless clothing?

[letsjog]

Hoping for traffic to see lots of opinions!

What pieces would you or do you have in your wardrobe that are always "in" and look lovely regardless of the current trends?
Be it shoes, jackets or general clothing.
I'd love to hear some examples as I'm in the process of adding a few things to my wardrobe and would really like to go for timeless and classic staples (both everyday and formal/occasion wear) that will stand the test of time rather than be out of fashion in a year or so.

So can I ask the wise MM community what would you recommend I look for?

@Orangeblossomscent

A well cut, navy peacoat that sits just below hip level Don't do "just below hip level" if you have big thighs and this is their widest point - best going higher or lower than to cut across your widest point - and also the above advice is one (there are many others) of the reasons you should never blindly follow other people's clothing advice - we are all different, shapes, sizes and lifestyles matter.

I love my peacoat. I wore it today after watching Shetland.....

Short answer: breton tee, whatever jeans look best on your body, decent knits in grey/cream/ navy, white trainers, proper cotton / linen t-shirts, a leather jacket, a slim fit camel coloured jacket. A great white dress for summer (broderie anglaise personally) and a plain dress which shows off whatever you like best about yourself.

I totally get the white shirt advice but I think most people actually look pretty rubbish in a white shirt. Whereas I think almost everyone looks nice in white trainer, ankle grazing jeans, a fancy white shirt under a navy knit jumper, with hoop earrings and a bit of fake tan.

Personally I think you can avoid black 99% of the time and always look better for it. Dark grey or navy are chicer, less aging, more 'fashion'.

It's impossible to buy clothes in 2021 which your kids will think are cool in 2035. But you can spend money on the basics which will come in and out, and look neutral when they're not 'fashionable' (though increasingly the idea of trying to dress on trend feels a bit sad). And I know we're all very sensible about fast fashion now, but it's not inherently evil to buy a few cheap bits from Zara each season so you feel like your older stuff has a new lease of life.

@littlegwyneth 'fancy white shirt' should read 'fancy white t-shirt'. My kingdom for an edit function.

Timeless for me (as in items that have been around for decades and not really gone out of fashion):

• DMs
• Converse
• Dungarees (both tight fitting and loose)
• Short denim skirts
• Black opaque tights
• Long patchwork skirts
• Pinafores

Unlikely to be considered "classy" by MN posters' standards, but they have been round for a long time, and I don't think they will be going out of fashion soon.

@peaceanddove

For timeless style + quality you can't go wrong with Cos. But you do need to be fairly tall to carry it off.

Nude, micro fishnets from Wolford make your legs look I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E. Trust me.

A properly fitted bra + matching knickers.

A well cut, navy peacoat that sits just below hip level. Boden do a good one most seasons.

A real leather/sheepskin, black aviator jacket worn one size too big.

Why one size too big?

I ask, because so many of the other posts emphasise that a well cut item is important. Won’t you just look a mess if your coat is too big?

Uniqlo do ballerina neck t shirts - I live in mine.

Someone mentioned skinny jeans - they'd have been weird in the late seventies

They were not! Anyone into New Wave etc was wearing ‘drainpipe’ trousers and jeans. Me included.

@sonjadog

Timeless for me (as in items that have been around for decades and not really gone out of fashion):

• DMs
• Converse
• Dungarees (both tight fitting and loose)
• Short denim skirts
• Black opaque tights
• Long patchwork skirts
• Pinafores

Unlikely to be considered "classy" by MN posters' standards, but they have been round for a long time, and I don't think they will be going out of fashion soon.

Long patchwork skirts like this? They have been around since the 70's or have I been hiding on a rock?

www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/skirts/product.patchwork-denim-midi-skirt-blue.0937734001.html

@BestIsWest

Someone mentioned skinny jeans - they'd have been weird in the late seventies

They were not! Anyone into New Wave etc was wearing ‘drainpipe’ trousers and jeans. Me included.

I’m not sure it was same look - I’m just slightly too young to remember, so would welcome your thoughts @BestIsWest

I remember drainpipe jeans as being very close fitting jeans, hard to get into as stiff denim, that could only be worn by slimmer people.

Whereas the skinny jeans look was / is worn by everyone. With the wonder that is elastane, they’re easy to pull on and - depending on the brand - have a reasonable amount of stretch. A size 20 woman can wear skinny jeans.

Could a size 20 woman in 1978 wear drainpipe jeans?

I was thinking more about those brightly coloured patchwork skirts that are quite hippy-ish in style, but that skirt is also quite timeless with denim patchwork, I think!

@Cocomarine well there wasn’t really elastane or Lycra but we made ours by sewing the legs of our jeans tighter! I was 16 in 1979 so remember it well.

As for a size 20 woman wearing them. If she wanted to then yes.

[quote BestIsWest]@Cocomarine well there wasn’t really elastane or Lycra but we made ours by sewing the legs of our jeans tighter! I was 16 in 1979 so remember it well.

As for a size 20 woman wearing them. If she wanted to then yes.[/quote]
But did she, is my point?

Albeit less size 20 women around in 1979!

Today, it’s perfectly normal for a size 20 woman to wear skinny (literally skintight because of Lycra, no sewing your jeans smaller!) jeans.

Yes anyone could have sewn their jeans tight in the 70s - but was it a “look” for larger women?

That’s why I think that drainpipes and skinnies are the same look.

cocomarine because it just looks better, slightly more slouchy.

@Orangeblossomscent

A well cut, navy peacoat that sits just below hip level Don't do "just below hip level" if you have big thighs and this is their widest point - best going higher or lower than to cut across your widest point - and also the above advice is one (there are many others) of the reasons you should never blindly follow other people's clothing advice - we are all different, shapes, sizes and lifestyles matter.

Yes, very true. I was thinking of me, and I just don't have hips.

I have just been assuming that I knew what “ankle grazer” length was.
So... just about grazing your ankle?
Am I wrong?

@peaceanddove

cocomarine because it just looks better, slightly more slouchy.

I think it would just look like you didn’t buy the right size, and a bit “not well put together”.

Which just goes to show again, that one person’s timeless / classic is another person’s not! 🙂

@Cocomarine

I have just been assuming that I knew what “ankle grazer” length was. So... just about grazing your ankle? Am I wrong?

Too short, they look like that on me - which is why I can't wear them - those are 3/4 length, think more 7/8s

@peaceanddove I have lack of hip envy!

@sonjadog

I was thinking more about those brightly coloured patchwork skirts that are quite hippy-ish in style, but that skirt is also quite timeless with denim patchwork, I think!

Link please? I'm still thinking you are living in the 70's which is interesting, less dull than the 90s!

Something like this: www.etsy.com/no-en/listing/171386379/patchwork-skirt-for-all-sizes-custom?ref=shop_home_feat_1

I have this skirt btw. I wear it a lot in summer with a black t-shirt.

That’s what I would say @Orangeblossomscent but Dorothy Perkins seem to be calling the ankle grazers!

That would be long shorts on me though, as I’m so short 😫

Could a size 20 woman in 1978 wear drainpipe jeans?

That would be something!

Cigarette trousers in black and also white
Loose/wide leg trews
Jeans, faded, skinny or boot cut
Jeans, dark, skinny or wide leg
Bermuda shorts, black or stone, not wide at the knee
Pencil skirt
Breton top
Black tank top
Black t- shirt
Fine merino or cashmere crewneck jumpers, various colours
Fine turtleneck in black
Coat length cardigan
Tailored white shirt
Linen shirt
Peasant blouse, embroidered
Denim or chambray shirt dress
Wrap dress in Jersey or silk knit
Tailored black wool/cashmere coat
Safari style jacket in khaki
Silk scarf
Black leather belt
Little black dress
Shoes with 1 inch heels
Boots with 1 inch heels
Suede boots
Espadrilles
Leather sandals, chunky
Metallic sandals, dainty

Black clothes in general

Leather jacket
Denim jacket
Tailored black jacket, even velvet
Tweed jacket
Grey woolly jumper, crew neck
White canvas sneakers