Classic/timeless as an individual concept - YouLookFab Forum

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Classic/timeless as an individual concept

MuseumGal

Veteran

So I've been reading lots of discussions and blog posts about "what is classic/timeless," and it occurred to me that what is class for me is going to look very different than what is classic for someone else. I started thinking about what style elements I have been attracted to and been wearing since I was a teenager in the 80s, and will probably still be wearing once I'm in my 80s, and here is what I came up with:

Actual menswear – 1st my Dad’s, then thrifted,
now menswear inspired, including vests and brogues

Chandelier earrings

Funky wooden shoes – I started with Dr. Scholls and have moved onto all sorts of cloggy or wooden based shoes - and Kick@ass boots

My favorite color to wear has always been electric blue – now commonly called cobalt

Paisleys and rich tapestry fabrics

Probably there are others, but these 5 things are classic me. While I have struggled to define my style or come up with a monniker, I think if I always had one or two of these items on, I might do a credible job of managing a consistent style.

What do you think? Are there items that are classic you?

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from shedev

Anonymous

My friends would say plaid, scarves, navy, dark red, volume, featuring my legs. I'm renewing an affair with plaid and navy and scarves have held steady. I've moved away from the rest. The volume was because nothing was small enough. I'm too old for mini skirts, and my best colors are now lighter and brighter.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oxford shoes, loafers and vintage coats are all things I can remember choosing from the beginning. And jeans of course.

rabbit

Veteran

Good question. Hmm.. my classics go back to high school, in parenthesis are various ones I've owned over time:

-converse (high top, low top, black, lilac, salmon, red, off-white)

-black lace up boots (knee high, bootie, suede, leather, winter boots)

-black leggings

-velvet jackets (men's blazers, fitted jackets, women's coats, midnight blue, black, moss green)

-silver hoop earrings

-a bombshell red dress (1950's vintage tea-length worn to prom, Jessica Rabbit mermaid for a wrap party, chiffon empire waist now)

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Mine would be:
- Vans
- chunky boots: work boots, docs, combat boots
- worn wash jeans
- silver tone jewelry
- teal
- button front shirts
- cardigans
- black and white prints

I've worn variations on all of the above since high school.

amiable

Veteran

Plaid flannel shirts would definitely be classic me - I went through high school wearing little else (with jeans, of course). I still love them, and feel very much me in them.

I also think casual sneakers are quite classic me (and have a lot of them - see my thread).

As far as others, I suspect there are some, but I'm not sure yet what they are - I'll have to think on it.

ETA:

Chunky pullover sweaters

Jeans

Birkenstock sandals in summer

All have been very much "me" since before high school.

Sal

Veteran

Dresses- midi and maxi now, but mini as well in the past.
Stripes - often blue and white, but sometimes neutral and sometimes multicoloured
Casual/messy/bed/unstraightened hair - I have never worn the ironed hair look

These are the three things that spring to mind.
Interesting question!

Jeanie

Veteran

I have to think hard on this.
I guess it would be...........
Pea coat
Loafers
Black turtleneck
Good thought provoking question.

Alassë

Veteran

This reminds me of one section of Aida's list (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....on-journey). From recent years I'd add autumn colours, high contrast, a-line/full skirts, polka dots/tartan, waist definition, tailored fit, & brown bookends (toppers & skirts).

Shorts
Stripes
Pink & purple
Chunky heels

Skirts & dresses

Round-toe shoes
Cozy cardigans/sweaters

Sleeves (bell, trumpet, flared)

Details (bows, ruffles, pintucks)

Textures (velvet, lace, suede, ribbon)

Florals (first calico prints, now Asian inspired)

Necklines (square, sweetheart, wide scoop, asymmetrical)

E

Veteran

I genuinely can't think of any aspects of my high school style that I also wear now! The early 00s was a pretty painful time for adolescent fashion, imo, and I had a definite ugly duckling phase.

However, I can list many things about my current style that I hope to still be wearing in decades to come: muted colours, interesting details, yummy fabrics and textures, full skirts, and comfortable, rustic-looking shoes.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Love menswear, love chandelier earrings, love electric blue! (That's what I've always called it, too. I also don't use citron, because it you can't make the french -on sound using the english language. I say lemon yellow instead. But I digress...).

So let's see...classic for me would be, well, blue jeans. A permanent staple in my wardrobe. I don't think I'll ever stop loving that perfect, not too dark or light shade of faded blue. I own coloured jeans, and dark wash, and black, but I'll always have faded blue in my closet.

I've owned many pairs of short boots with 2" stacked heels since my teens, and always will. Super versatile and perfect for our climate.

Also, black crew neck tee shirts will always be in my closet. I prefer a not-too-tight neck hole, but I like the boyish cut of a crew.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I've pretty much carried this style since high school/college. My classic style go-to are:

dark / Black pants, ankle length
black flats
blue jeans since I can remember
pointy heels/flats/slingbacks
button up shirts
printed tops
black and white striped tops
bulky sweaters
denim jackets
leather jackets
boots

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Oh, I love the delineation of classics by person. That's brilliant! I've always thought in terms of how we each have staples that may differ from the staples others may feel necessary, and I think this fits right in.

My personal classics would likely be:

beat-up, oversized, slouchy men's jeans. Sure, I'll have other, more timely, fhasionable styles, but I will always have a pair within reach that is almost about to fall off, that I've either stolen from my honey or thrifted
huge, boxy, no-welt sweaters.
maxi skirts. The style of them will change - I spent a lot if time in denim prairie skirts for several years, and then a few in ankle-length pencil-shaped maxis, but maxis are a wardrobe staple for me.
Boots - specifically combat style. Maybe they're legit surplus jump boots, or maybe they're Docs, but there has always been a pair in my closet for at least the last 22 years.
Cardigans. Again, the shape and bulk may change, but from my grunge-era cardigan legitimately swiped from my Grandma, through my twin-set phase, and into delicate handknit fingering weight crops, I gotta have an array of cardigans.
Some sort of skate shoe. Possibly a slip on Van, maybe Chucks. I only JUST finally got rid of my Vision Wears, so I haven't had to think too much on possibilities here.
Oxford/ wingtip/ brogues. I've spent long years lamenting that I can't buy Johnston & Murphy in my shoe size, so I'm taking full advantage of the lovely array of options I can pick up now, to tide me over until next time.

kkards

Veteran

interesting lists....here's mine, it doesn't really go back to my highschool days, but its made up of items that i have always had some variation of in my closet

~5 pocket, straight leg blue jeans
~navy blazer
~white tee shirt
~burmuda short
~black 3 inch pump
~equestrian inspired boots
~white cloth sneakers
~merino cardigan
~merino pullover with crewneck
~and almost anything navy or plaid

gryffin

Veteran

MG - very interesting question- this list is as you say idiosyncratic:
- equestrian anything - long blazers, leggings/jods, paddock and knee boots
- le smoking - tux jackets all iterations, narrow cigarette pants, tux shirt or similiar
- jeans
-cowboy boots
- menswear
-pearls
-diamond studs
-LBD
-blazers

MuseumGal

Veteran

I love reading everyone's lists. It's interesting that almost all of us have been wearing variations on a theme for a long long time. Once I realized that, things started to fall more easily into place. Thanks for playing along all!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, this is a great focusing question. Since high school (or immediately following, when I had a bit more access to shopping), these have been my staples:

1. Blue jeans (the cut of the day)
2. Button front shirts
3. Dark turtlenecks (black or navy)
4. Blazers
5. Chelsea boots (usually black)
6. Refined footwear (This varies -- in periods when very chunky shoes are in style, mine are the most refined versions of those available.)
7. Short hair.

Also:

8. All shades of blue.
9. Stripes.
10. Plaid
11. Houndstooth
12. Coat or jacket with military styling.

Another real staple is a red coat of some kind.

Isabel

Veteran

I LOVE this concept. And how true....it is truly your "signature".

My longest relationship ( beside my family and a friend from kindergarten ) has been with blazers and coats. I have no idea why but I have loved them as long as I can remember. My mom always loved a good coat or blazer too.

shedev

Veteran

Moto jackets

moto and combat boots

RATE items

tartan

black