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?

Anything fashionable won't be classic.

I like to think of it as crossing generations. So if a stylish and chic granny gave her classic items to her stylish and chic 17yr old, both could equally wear them without looking daft.

So for me that's a very small selection of items which aren't fashionable and are of exceptional quality.

I have items from chic grandmothers and they are silk blouses, trench coat, cashmere jumpers (from grandpa actually), leather boots.

No to Breton tops, fishnets, cord trousers, parka jackets. Nothing in a synthetic fabric for sure.

I’m not sure about the granny to granddaughter transition, though I see what you’re getting at. 17yo’s can look cool in anything really - that’s just the magic of youth!

Take the silk blouse...
Nice on granny, not exciting but - well, clsssic.
Lovely on the 17yo granddaughter can she can wear anything.
But for the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s? The silk blouse looks boring, staid, old before your time, frumpy.

I hate the MN obsession with class and hate misery for even saying this... but I do think there’s a class element to what people are considering timeless classics! Some of these answers (not the fishnets 🤣) are basically a bit wealthy Kensington.

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

Yes they would have been called drainpipes.

I think generally good quality pieces that fit well, but some specifics:

*A well fitted pair of dark denim jeans
*Tailored, crisp white shirt
*Black Chelsea boots
*Cotton tees in neutral colours
*Leather jacket

But overall things that fit your body well and are of decent quality. Fashion rotates so chances are most things you own will come in and out eventually!

And I think aside from having your ‘essentials’ really you should wear things you enjoy as well as feel comfortable in, even if it’s not to everyone’s tastes. If you like a bit of colour or a bold print then wear it. If you prefer a more neutral look then do that.

Depends how long a time period you are thinking of. Most of this stuff wouldn't have been popular in 1621, 1821. You'd be pushing boundaries in 1921. If you mean you want to still be wearing in in 10 year, then that's more achievable.
Doc Martens boots. I've been wearing them since I was 12, I'm now 40. They aren't to everyone's taste though.
When I was in Europe almost 20 years ago I was amazed at how ubiquitous Converse were, and they still are, really. I know 8 year olds with them, and people my age.

@PRsecrets I only watched the first couple of minutes of that, she’s very likeable!
But even in the opening camera panning I spotted a dog tooth pattern jacket, and a pale blue and white vertical striped shirt.

Both of which - among my fairly middle class professional 40s/50s friendship group - would have people laughing that you’d stolen your mum’s wardrobe or fancied yourself on a Kensington school run!

I’m finding this thread fascinating.

I think that there are overall styles rather than individual pieces that are timeless. So every generation will have a version of blue jeans with a simple white top, and flat shoes... high the waist will change, the leg length too, the sleeve length or collar style.

I think “timeless” is individual around the shapes and colours that suit you as an individual, but with no obvious statements - such as a very wide collar, or particularity low jeans.

Black blazer. Great for work or socialising.

I would never wear anything considered 'classic'. They are all too high maintenance for me.

My classic wear includes:

Dungarees
White trainers
Stripy Breton top
Jeans in lots of shapes but all in a mid blue that improves with washing and wear
A large pure wool cardigan
A denim chore coat
A fitted cotton crew neck jumper
A great sweatshirt
White t shirt
Navy t shirt

I think everyone should find their own classic, based largely on what they enjoy wearing.

That should say a grey sweatshirt, helps if it is great too of course

If you can imagine a Parisienne wearing it then it’s classic

@Iamuhtredsonofuhtred

If you can imagine a Parisienne wearing it then it’s classic

🤣 I lived and worked in Paris for a year. Just a stereotype - plenty of ‘em are as badly dressed as the rest of us you know!

Blue jeans

Black or white t shirt

Plain black / navy/ grey jumpers - v or round neck

Black cashmere cardigan WITH A ROUND NECK (Can’t stress this enough) and plain buttons

Black leather jacket

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

Yes they would have been called drainpipes.

Also would have been weird in the 90s!

What’s with the cashmere cardigans obsession in here? How is dressing like a pensioner timeless? 🤣

I also think Breton stripes tops are so beyond frumpy and mumsy but a lot of people seem to love them

Basic Jeans
Birkenstocks
Converse
Raglan baseball tops
Boat-necks
Wide leg trousers
Lace up boots
Chelsea boots
Parkas
Pussy bow blouses
"Mum" sandals (Saltwater type things)

If you put a time traveller in fairly basic jeans in a mid blue colour, and a t shirt or baseball top that fits, and a pair of boots wouldn't they slot into many modern time periods?

There’s no such thing as timeless fashion, it’s a contradiction in terms.

Even a white t shirt dates due to the cut/shape/fabric.

@PrincessNutNuts

Basic Jeans Birkenstocks Converse Raglan baseball tops Boat-necks Wide leg trousers Lace up boots Chelsea boots Parkas Pussy bow blouses "Mum" sandals (Saltwater type things)

If you put a time traveller in fairly basic jeans in a mid blue colour, and a t shirt or baseball top that fits, and a pair of boots wouldn't they slot into many modern time periods?

What cut are the jeans? Shape of the legs, how high or low is the rise?

Ines de la Fressange

Middle of the road @DrSbaitso

I'm reporting everyone on this thread hating on my fishnets.

Fishnets are epic

I don't think timeless fashion as a whole exists but it does for individuals. Like, if you love something consistently and wear it over many years, it's timeless for you. I wear a lot of colourful fit and flare dresses with ballet flats. That's timeless for me, although it's not to everyone's taste.

@FeministRabbit give me your classic fishnets over a camel coloured long coat, silk blouses and cashmere cardigans 🤣

At least your tights aren’t frumpy old lady clothes!

Fishnets don't really date. They may not be everyone's taste but they are part of an aesthetic.