What would you say were wardrobe classics that never date?

[poshsinglemum]

Or reocurring trends.

I would say classics;
trench coat
riding boots
bretton tops
bootcut jeans

reoccuring trends;
nautical/military, folk, goth, boho.

What do you think?

What can I buy now that won't date? i am so bored with fashion.

Tan slouchy handbag - there was a moment in the 80's where bags went all structured but I have one from the 70's,80's,90's and they're all much of a muchness

I am no expert but I would say go for what suits you and your shape.I am a big fan of nigella type cardies and long black jersey skirts also kirstie allsop patterned skirts.

What are bretton tops please? I like things that don't date!

ooh good thread, good timimg for me. (when is style advice ever not good timing?)

have nothing to contribute,am just watching for tips

Black items that flatter your figure -- agree totally with the long black jersey skirts.
Plain white shirts.
Nice scarves.
Chunky jewellery made from natural materials, semi-precious is always nice.
Chunky watches -- the menswear look in general, modified/fitted for a woman, will always look right for business or even evening (jacket over evening dress for instance).
A touch of astrakhan or an astrakhan jacket, or a ponyskin or leather jacket that is fitted (balloony ones look dated) or looks like an aviator jacket (see menswear comment)
Boots.
Something like Doc Martins I would consider a classic, or Levis.
Jeans that are a really good fit.

Flattering your own figure is key.

What about my biker jacket?

A Bretton top is stripy tops.

Oh, right!
Nope, wouldn't wear one of those! I'm small, and don't need to look any wider!

Gosh, that's actually quite difficult! things that have turned out to be 'classics' for me are not in any way the usual things that come up on a list of classics.

Things I have found myself returning to time and time again for over 10 years:

• Decent sweater dresses, preferably cashmere
• Narrow bootcut jeans that fit really well and probably cost £££s (I have a pair of 7FAM jeans that are about a zillion times more flattering than any other jeans I have ever owned)
• A well fitting overcoat in a flattering colour (NOT necessarily black)
• cotton/linen summer dresses in interesting prints but easy to wear shapes
• Vaguely rugged looking biker type boots in charcoal grey/faded black (I am looking for a replacement for the pair I bought aged 19)

Oh, and a leather jacket - either tailored or a fairly laid back biker style (not laden with zips or buckles). Again, I am looking for a replacement for the leather jacket I bought when I was seventeen.

Sadly, I was actually richer at 17-20 than I am now...

It all dates in my opinion - details change slightly and it just looks wrong.

I would rather buy well and wear the items to death over a few years but unless you're talking a Hermes Birkin - then I think stuff goes out of fashion.

Basically, non-fashiony items. Things like slim fitting v neck cashmere cardigans and jumpers. Dark, straight-leg jeans. Denim jackets and leather biker jackets. Plain white cotton or silk shirts. Silk camisoles.

Yes to riding boots and Bretton tops. Plain brown or black satchel type leather bags, or other classic shaped bags. Blazer-type black jackets.

Definitely well cut dark boot cut jeans.

Black boots - ankle or kneelength.

I have a black leather blazer, bought from Gap in 2002 and I still wear it every year. I don't think it will ever date (hence why I bought it!)

Converse plimsoles.

Boot cut jeans are v nineties, IMO. I would go for straight legs.

I'd go for:

A good leather jacket - not too bikery, not too tight, not too mannish.

Black boots that come below the knee and have mid height heels, not wedge or stiletto.

Cashmere cardigans and jumpers in classic shapes - v neck or round neck, no 3/4 length sleeves or frilly bits.

A good plain coat in Harris tweed or similar and a block colour, either straightish or flared but definitely with a waist.

Silk knitted T-shirts wear surprisingly well and look tons more luxurious than the cotton equivalent.

Yes to riding boots and breton tops.

Oh, and pretty much anything from Ghost. Nothing I've ever bought from there has ever really dated. I've just got too fat for some of it.

I agree with someone upthread - nothing is a timeless classic

You may think the bootcut jeans you bought 5 years ago are classics, but their cut is different to the bootcut jeans of now. And they just look wrong.

a good peacoat - navy or black

Cashmere jumpers/cardigans,silk t shirts,white shirts,trench coats,staight dark indigo jeans,leather/suede coats and jackets,cashmere mix coat in neutral colour,cashmere scarves,long 'greatcoat' and finally tan/ black boots.

A well-cut white shirt, waisted or not waisted, depending on whether or not you can darry off mannish tailoring. (I can't!)

A belted trenchcoat, in camel, like Burberry, dogstooth check or tweed.

A black leather jacket in a vaguely biker style

A traditional cut Levi denim jacket - not stonewashed

I personally favour bootcut jeans because of my height and shape, but true classics would need to be straight-cut (not skinny) and ever so slightly low waisted and slouchy.

Flattish high-leg boots like riding boots

A simple well-cut LBD. Cannot lose EVER with one of those. The plainer the better. Accessorise to your heart's delight.

Chunky 'ethnic' statement jewellery in silver, wood, amber, etc.

Pearls.

A hacking jacket

Wide, white floaty palazzo pants for summer

The classic-shaped (Men in Black type) RayBans in black or tortoiseshell frame

A large soft slouchy brown/tan bag.

Lots of plain coloured t-shirts, tops or shirts for layering and adding splashes of colour.

Sweaters - round neck and v - neck.

Decent coats in your favourite colours. I have black, brown ish,grey, red, navy ish and denim. (although if you get very nice and pricey ones your dh might tell you quite rightly that you don't need to buy any more!!)

Flattering trousers and skirts. I don't think they need to be fashionable as long as they make you feel good. Jeans, cords and lighter materials like linen for summer.

I never buy anything that will date - just stuff that I like and that I think is good quality for the price.

I will buy datey stuff (occasionally) but the trick is to not be conned into spending a great deal of money on them. Two years and they've had it so no harm done.

Yeah,pearls[every length] and diamonds and semi-precious stones.
I also buy items that are on trend cheaply[2 maxi skirts from Matalan].My only criteria is that they are made from natural fabrics as i hate viscose/polyester with a passion.

I think most things date. I don't have anything in my wardrobe that's over 3 years old. The one exception is a black crombie style overcoat and jewellery. I've got a single diamond on a pendant and a pair of modern style, rubbed-over setting stud diamond earrings.

The only exceptions might be a cashmere cardi or jumper and smart black trousers, but even then the cut changes.

Agree about a white shirt, but am not a shirt person. even with shirts you have to consider the cut of the collar, whether it's fitted or straight, whether the sleeves are 3/4 length etc etc.

The Audrey Hepburn look is timeless IMO if you look like audrey

I agree Peony. There are certain staple items that are always 'in' but in slightly different guises. If it's more than 5 years old it's a long shot, and more than 10, then you need to put it way for another ten before you can chance it again!