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?

I work for a luxury fashion curator. I won't say who, but we have collections from Alexander McQueen, Versace, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney etc, so I'd like to think my day job gives me a good knowledge of timeless pieces for a pretty big age range

The phrase "buy cheap buy twice" is very true when buying key pieces to last. You are much better off investing in some really good quality basics that are a staple throughout seasons and time periods.

A tailored nude trench coat will always come back into fashion year on year. They go with so many different outfits. They also look very chic and expensive if you get the right one.

Invest in a few oversized shirts, again go with sharp tailoring. Don't go for patterns or prints. Prints are very seasonal and trend dependent. Choose neutral colours - they flatter all ages.

A nice pair of jeans is a good investment. Go with dark colours and a slim fit.

An oversized blazer is a great piece for spring and autumn. I bought a mens blazer for length which I then took to a tailor who made it the perfect shape for me. I also chose a blazer with a lovely striped lining so I can roll the sleeves up if I want and it still looks styled.

I wouldnt suggest ballet pumps as they don't wear very well. Go with a classic black loafer that will retain its shape.

A pair of nice, simple black straps heels will also age well. Chloe and Saint Laurent have some classic styles.

The best pieces to invest in for this are accessories. A pair of oversized sunglasses will always be in fashion. Chanel are really worth it. As are Gucci. You can have those decades and they will always look great.

Alexander McQueen genuinely produce the nicest, long lasting bags I've ever seen. The quality is unbeatable and the pieces are always classic in silhouette. You can buy a McQueen bag and pass it through generations if you take care of it.

I know lots of people don't agree with spending lots of money on clothes but you can make certain items last a lifetime.

Place marking

Up there near the top of the frumpy scale, but beloved of fashion editors ...the cashmere sweater paired with giant taffeta skirt as an evening event look. HIDEOUS!!! And so cringeworthy. Originally the work of Carolina Herrera if I recall correctly.🤮

@Oooohbehave I felt the same way about Paris - very few stylish women - the men though were more impressive. But where were the stylish Women hiding?

A well cut, slim fitting single breasted navy or black suit
A fine knit crew neck jumper to go underneath in a muted colour
A good pair of thick but stretchy and uplifting skinny jeans in black or vintage blue
Heeled ankle boots (skinny heel not chunky) in suede dark brown or black
A slightly oversized crisp light blue shirt
A stretchy, soft, thin knitted polo neck jumper in camel/grey
A red lipstick in a shade to suit your face
Some cute but good quality thick huggy hoop earrings
A slim fitting boucle coat
A slim fitting but quite long black puffa
A pair of classic trainers like puma/Reebok
Nice tea dresses for the summer
A vintage style sweatshirt in a neutral colour like grey or navy
A chunky big knit cardigan in a bright colour
Well fitting leather look skinny jeans

I’m nearly 30 so at an awkward age, with my mum figure I don’t feel able to wear the crop tops and slashed jeans stuff, but I don’t want to look frumpy either.

Frumpy to me is:
Thin knit cardigans
Ballet style shoes
Indoor scarves (yikes)
Chunky beaded jewellery
Leather cross body bags
Bootcut jeans
Pea style coats
Breton tops

Black leather biker jacket
Mid rise slim/straight blue jeans that fall a couple of inches below the ankle
Plaid/tartan/ check flannel shirt
Black single button blazer with slim lapels
Non—see-through white cotton t shirt that suits your bust line

Always very amused by the suggestion- you should buy a nice pair of jeans - genius advice😂
Clothes that fit you 😂 Nude coats - don’t do that - don’t suggest that everyone suits beige - it simply isn’t true! What looks good on you will be very much related to you. Buying a wardrobe that someone else likes won’t work!

@Blueskyredcloud

Always very amused by the suggestion- you should buy a nice pair of jeans - genius advice😂 Clothes that fit you 😂 Nude coats - don’t do that - don’t suggest that everyone suits beige - it simply isn’t true! What looks good on you will be very much related to you. Buying a wardrobe that someone else likes won’t work!

Every person suits every colour, it’s about getting the exact right shade though.

What does everyone think about the denim shorts, striped oversized shirt and straw type beach bag for holidays/the beach?

I think it would have the same split between people saying “timeless classic outfit!” and people saying “dull, boring!”

I personally think denim shorts are wonderful and don’t date. (well - I suppose the length and fit does!) But putting them with the over sized striped shirt just looks like you’re trying to copy a magazine look that’s a bit dated. A plain shirt in a block colour yes - that looks like your own choice. Striped shirt: too copy cat.

I think much depends on your shape too

I did have a great curvy figure ( slim with curves not what I am now overweight with curves) ) but always had big legs I never ever looked good in denim shorts and only wore them at the beach

Oh mannnnn @Wondermule. I love. A cross body bag.

I especially hate classic when it’s combined with neat, looks stifled, uptight and frumpy.

@blueskyredcloud the different styles and cuts of denim are vast and not all cuts suit all shapes, so you can't really say much more than "nice jeans".

You'd be surprised too at how many people buy really cheap poor quality jeans and then complain they don't look or fit right. I think that's another part of it

Poncho and patent leather corset

Neither ever change in their relative fashion suitableness

Good quality cashmere jumpers and black straight Levis jeans along with a nearly new Margaret Howell City coat I bought on EBay for less than 200 quid.

In summer Issey Miyake Pleats Please dresses.

Something that fits your figure.
Not matter what the current trends are wear what suits you.

For me (big boobs) I like 50’s style and A line dresses & skirts as they give me a waist, simple cut and nothing drop waisted or with empire lines.
I like straight or bootleg pants as they even out the top half.

Camel overcoat
Pale trench coat
White cotton shirt
White tee
Fine black polo neck
Little black dress

And I'm firmly in the navy/white Breton top camp. I've always had one in my wardrobe since the mid-70s (not the same one, obvs!).

I don't get the hate for cardigans. They are wonderfully practical, give a bit of extra warmth over a dress on a summer evening, an extra layer over a blouse for winter, look good with jeans or a smart skirt for any occasion that's not formal, and are easy to slip off when you get a hot flush.

However, I think that cut varies from time to time, and the camel overcoat that was fashionable in the 90s might well look dated now.

@DragonPoop

I always think on threads like these that the majority of the suggested clothing sounds frumpy and outdated - definitely not timeless. Fine if you’re over 50 but if younger than probably not what your looking for perhaps.

I do think it’s hard because silhouettes of things like jeans/trousers always change with the fashion, so either go with it or find the style that flatters your body type the most that you feel confident in. (For example I love skinny high waisted jeans or mom jeans but I know the current fashion is for a baggier leg - it just looks horrendous on me)

I don’t think you can go wrong with a good pair of trainers or converse style shoes

A good quality coat that fits you well and doesn’t look like a scruffy dog walking coat

I think on the right body type a jumpsuit can look amazing or a wrap dress suits a lot of body types too.

I agree. And I AM over 50!

These lists always sound very dull and safe. I can't wear wool at all. Double breasted things look shit on me. I hate shirts with buttons down the front and collars. I can't tell you how much I loathe collars!! So irritating to wear. I only wear trainers for exercise.

OP find your own style (and colours that suit you) and then buy the best you can afford. Looking stylish and well-dressed is personal to the individual.

And 3/4 sleeve boat neck tops. Love them.

Me too, @Ellpellwood. Or the slightly lower "ballerina" neck.

In fact, I've been looking for some more, my favourites are getting a little past their best. Who's selling them at the moment?

I thought I'd found one in Hobbs, but it turned out to be made of viscose (yuck!), Boden ones have long sleeves, Benetton have a sweater but nothing in t-shirt fabric, M&S have made them "fitted", which ime means they won't fit, plus they look very long, (why do M&S have to fuck about with things?).

Shops being shut and not being able to try stuff on has saved me a bundle of money, but I really do need some new stuff now.

A good quality coat that fits you well and doesn’t look like a scruffy dog walking coat

I have a beautiful coat, a navy wool/cashmere mix that is a classic style, wonderfully cut, fits perfectly, hangs beautifullly and I absolutely love it. I've worn it precisely 3 times in the 12 years or more that I've had it and every one has been a funeral. I rarely seem to go anywhere else that I need a smart coat, and when it's cold enough for a "proper" coat, it invariably seems to be raining.

Thankfully, it was a TK Maxx £50 bargain, so cost per wear hasn't been huge.

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

My classics won't be the same as others because of my shape, where I live, and how I live. So for me

Sexy boyfriend jeans sized down in a mid blue rinse.

Variety of good quality tee shirts - white, black and grey. Currently loving Uniqlo's
Black or dark grey wool tailored trousers
White shirt probably from COS as tend to have a bit of a twist on cutting
Black polo neck
Black and white silk vests/camis
Dark grey baggy but quality v neck jumper
A black single breasted blazer because I can throw it on for work and look smart even if I'm in jeans
Midi length slightly 50s style black dress - any event can be dressed up or down
Summer dress/kaftan maxi length with pattern but muted colours
Black ankle boots with a heel
Slip on trainers and Birkenstock's in black

Everything else comes and goes but I always have a version of those in my wardrobe.. some of that fits the 'traditional' lists but each of them are versions that work specifically to me.

[quote Frankola]@blueskyredcloud the different styles and cuts of denim are vast and not all cuts suit all shapes, so you can't really say much more than "nice jeans".

You'd be surprised too at how many people buy really cheap poor quality jeans and then complain they don't look or fit right. I think that's another part of it[/quote]
I'd be in the camp that expensive doesn't mean nice and cheap doesn't mean nasty especially when it comes to jeans. I remember spending ages in Selfridges Denim lab - could find one pair of jeans that fitted properly - took a stroll down to Primark and there I found a perfect pair of jeans in just the right shade.

My pair of 7 for all mankind were a great fit but the high percentage of lycra in them caused them to wear through within one season - not great in terms of cost per wear (I have repaired them but for many that would be the end of the road).

Learn to think not blindly follow the price tag it doesn't mean nice.

Classic to me is quality fabrics/materials in flattering cuts. Those cuts might fade in and out of fashion, but they do cycle round again and again because they look good. There are a lot of older women whose clothing isn’t cut in the latest fashionable silhouette, but they always look really smart because their clothes are made from good quality fabrics and well cut.

Classic pieces to me are things like:

• leather jacket
• riding boots
• wool blazer
• crisp white button-up shirt
• trench coat
• fitted wool/cashmere turtleneck or crew neck jumpers