How do you mix classic and trendy? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How do you mix classic and trendy?

Chris987

Veteran

Angie mentioned recently in her "refreshing my blue jeans capsule" blog posting that her outfit preferences these days are for trendy jeans, combined with less trendy shoes, pant, and tops. It seems to me that most of her outerwear and bags are fairly classic too, with a little bit of trendy mixed in. She has a collection of gorgeous wool coats that are classic and will look great forever, and mostly classic bags with a few trendy ones. (I've studied her wardrobe finds thoroughly!)

I find this approach fascinating. For a mostly-classic style person like me the idea of incorporating limited trendy items is very appealing and seems a lot easier and much more to my taste than going full-on trendy.

I'd love to hear how others tackle this. Do you consciously do trendy styles in specific items and not others? How does it work for you? Obviously no right or wrong here, just looking for ideas and would love to hear all of yours!

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fun question! I like your beady eye on my wardrobe in Finds

My bags are Modern Classics, and very colourful.

My outerwear runs the gamut. Half classic and half trendy. Lots of Modern Retro.

Jeans are very trendy

Tops not too trendy.

Pants, skirts and dresses run the gamut. Half classic and half trendy.

Footwear is as tendy as I can manage with the fussy feet and walking lifestyle.

Make-up is classic.

Hair and specs are tendy.

Bijou

Veteran

I would say the two essentials to my style, dresses and boots are updated more than anything else and are the trendy items in my wardrobe. Other items, tops, jeans, coats, bags, toppers are mainly classic and with some trendy items thrown into the mix. I do add trendy colours just to freshen things up.

I have a feminine and polished style, adding the occasional classic hard edge element (leather jacket, distressed jeans, moto boots) is how I mix things up to keep it looking fresh rather than retro.

My hairstyle varies in length, colour and style, but veers towards retro blonde waves and classic make up.

Sara L.

Veteran

I try to incorporate a few trendy pairs of shoes and a couple tops every season. I don't change my bottoms that often - maybe a new skirt. I add new dresses every season but they're not always particularly trendy.

Joy

Veteran

I try for trendy in the items that get replaced most, for me that has been footwear, jeans and indoor toppers. I like pencil skirts, a classic, best. So I try to wear them with trendy tops and footwear, if the trend makes sense for me.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Chris --

I think I first read the term "cherry-pick trends" from stylist / author Kendall Farr but it's been so long I can't recall!

But that's what I aim to do as it fits my philosophy and needs. My *way* of doing that is to just see what's out there that appeals and fits my budget etc vs having one or more categories where I always make sure to have updated pieces.

Since I have a classic foundation, I always seem to have a variety of shoe / heel types, jean silhouettes, skirt lengths, etc in the mix.

If you're asking about recent colder-weather shifts, then I've --

hit the continued berry / wine trend hard as I've found colors that work for me
added a wool waterfall cardigan (still have long cardigans from several years ago when I managed to be an early adopter...it happens!)
added longer slightly structured knit pencils to rotate in with more formal wool at- or above-the-knee versions (have been wearing longer summer-weight jersey tube skirts for several years)
added more block heels -- 1 totally classic black 2" heel riding boot and 1 pair of black metallic/suede ankle booties
demoted a cashmere hoodie to weekend wear and replaced with a black one that has a contrasting inner color on the hood -- love this!

I definitely feel it's all about what gives you the most joy!

Anonymous

Interesting thread Chris. When I think about it, I am constantly updating with trendier or more design-driven pieces rather than buying classics. The exception to this might be jeans, and some blazers, where simple cuts and tried-and-tested silhouettes work best. Also a chelsea boot. But really, I don't "do" classic much of anything I've always felt dowdy in most classics. eta - purses and totes are pretty classic and I don't buy new ones very often. I like to buy the best I can afford and then leave it for 5 years. So nothing terribly trendy there.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

Im a classic girl. I pretty much never buy anything purely trendy. I only buy a trend I like if it also has classic potential. For example, leopard coat. It’s really a classic that’s having a moment right now. See Jackie Kennedy wearing it. So it passed my trend test and I got one.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I think it’s quite hard for me to judge how trendy I skew but I certainly think that at my age I want longevity from my clothes,lm not into buying stuff for one season only .On the other hand I think the fastest way to looking frumpy is to never have anything trendy in your wardrobe so I guess it’s a balance between the two.

rachylou

Veteran

This is such an interesting thought. Like lisap, I don’t do classic much - if at all. But I also wear stuff forever, with maybe the exception of sweaters. I like a new one every year, one with something that gets my attention.

I wonder if there is a category of things out there that are always trendy, never out of style, yet not classic?

Or am I confusing traditional with classic?

kkards

Veteran

good question...need to think about this.

LaPed

Veteran

I think I'd call myself an opportunist. I dress a certain way and buy into trends when I know they'll suit me. Right now, my jeans and pants are fairly trendy: mom jeans, wide legs. I'm also pouncing on fitted, ribbed tops while they're trending, and the same goes for earth tones to a certain degree (I'm very fickle about colour and have very few colours that I love unequivocally, year in-year out).

When it was skinny jeans as far as the eye could see, I did not have trendy bottoms. I had very old bootcuts and a bunch of thrifted Levi's. I found that I bought more toppers (like field jackets and moto jackets) to compensate and add something current to my look.

I don't really do trendy shoes; I feel ahead of the game when I find things that fit and are comfortable. I have a stink-eye for most footwear, tbh. It's very rare for me to find a pair I love the look of, so in general I don't get excited about footwear trends. And I can't really wrap my mind around the idea of trendy bags. I'm so not a bag person. I tend to just buy what I like and use it to death.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great question, Chris.

My style skews classic. And I joined YLF in part to get myself out of what felt like a lifetime style rut. I wanted to add the "modern" into my look and didn't know how to do that without over-spending or feeling like I was in costume.

I'm not sure that my trendy updates necessarily fall into specific categories, but I can say that I'm most likely to add a dose of trendy in the footwear category (because I typically need to update at least some of my footwear every year anyway, due to heavy wear) and also, when applicable, in the denim category (because I wear jeans almost daily for 3 seasons a year so it is worth it to me to spend there.)

Tops and sweaters and even toppers tend to be classic in cut and style, but sometimes trendy in pattern or colour, at least when what is available at retail appeals to me.

Pants, skirts, and dresses are a mix. When a new silhouette appears, I often like to try it.

My bags are few, and not so trendy -- although I will look at trends there with some interest, if not direct involvement. I bought a trendy belt this year (western). The rest of my accessories are fairly classic.

anchie

Veteran

I can get trendy item in any category, but I don’t wear all of them together.

Kate

Veteran

Interesting question. My pants tend toward classic. I love skinny, high waisted side zip trousers, and that’s what lives in my closet year after year regardless of trends. My jean of choice is the classic skinny. Because I love high waisted bottoms, I did jump on that trend (six pairs of jeans, four of them my usual black) and plan to keep stocking up as long as that style is around. I also fell in love with very wide legged trousers, and invested carefully in that trend as well.

Whenever I skew trendy, it’s definitely with tops and dresses, and coats. Trendy also pops up here & there among my boot/shoe collection.

Anonymous

Another classic dresser here. I guess what I do is look at the macro trends and make sure I'm not too far behind.

The high waist trend is the one that appeals to me most, so I have been buying a lot of high waisted things. There is also the semi-tuck trend that works well for me. Block heels, same thing. White sneakers, same thing.

I tried to buy fluid tops but they never really felt like 'me'.

Sal

Veteran

I like a mix as well so it is a great question. I do like most pieces to have longevity so I don't add too many highly trend focussed items - but I do add some.

This year trends have coincided with some of my favourites - tan footwear, midi length skirts and dresses, bold prints, straight leg jeans, and a good range of mid depth colours (not pastels and not grey).

I do find my best outfits (and some of my favourites on the forum) comprise a mix of trendy and classic all together. So if you love mid rise blue skinny jeans (definitely a classic) I think tucking a blouse, or wearing flat brogues, or wearing yellow could be ways to make it look more trendy...... whereas a white untucked shirt and heeled boots is more classic. Both can look great though.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like Anchie's answer, also. If I wear one trendy piece or two, the rest of the outfit will tend to be more classic.

Style Fan

Veteran

I like La Ped's answer. I think I will steal that term - "Opportunist". Right now fashion is my friend. I like to wear jeans that are on trend but I will not wear skinnies. Right now I am wearing high waisted wide legged sailor pants and straight legged jeans. In the past, I was feeling frustrated with all the skinnies. Earth tones and orange seem to be popular at retail and I am making up for those lean years when I could never find anything in my favourite colours. So I am wearing trendy colours right now but I will be wearing those colours when they are not trending.
My coats, footwear and bags are mostly classic. I don't buy new coats very often and the ones that I do have get many years of wear. I have problems with my feet so I have narrowed down my choice of footwear to a few brands. It just so happens Birks are trendy but I will still be wearing them when they are no longer trendy. I am not a bag person. I rarely buy them and when I do it is usually from a vintage store.
I like to keep my tops simple and close fitting. I don't do fluid fits. So that would make my tops classic.
I update my hair and makeup but keep them classic and natural.

Great question Chris! I enjoyed reading the responses.

Chris987

Veteran

Wow, what great responses! So much food for thought. I'll be back to study more...

gryffin

Veteran

Chris - this is a fantastic thread. Thank you for starting it!! My haircut is trendy and classic (an inverted bob with spiky bangs and wedged up in the back. My style is individual and eclectic. I like the same classic things but sometimes they actually on trend and sometimes not. Right now long blazers, menswear, suits, cowboy elements are trendy, so I am trendy. When they are out I am eclectic. I like diverse classic elements - menswear, boyfriend blazers, suits, cowboy boots, rate boots/booties - enduring classics but I mix them up. Does that make any sense?

Staysfit

Veteran

Is my style classic? Is it trendy? Some days I cannot tell what is what but I aim for a modern classic core wardrobe. I love Angie’s answer to the question. I am not sure I have clean divisions between what is trendy or classic among my clothes. For example I have a fair collection of turtleneck sweaters, a winter essential in my wardrobe. Some are classic, some trendy, some fitted, some fluid, some solid some patterned, some cropped, some tunic length, etc. One category no one mentioned is avant garde, and I have those as well. I want to think that the pieces I invest the most money in, and expect to keep the longest, are either classic, or avant- garde.

I do my best to consider the longevity of a style before making an expensive purchase. For example, my Canada Goose, sleeping bag style, long down puffer coat. I recalled the two predecessors to this coat and the features that made them wardrobe workhorses, but also items with incredible longevity. When I stop to weigh factors like this before making purchases, it seems like the items skew more classic. Although, I’m not sure if this type of coat is classic? My thought process was slightly different when I found an expensive fuschia blazer and coordinating fuschia cropped wide leg pants made by Sea. The style is different than any other suit I have seen, making it something that is either trendy and has very limited use, or maybe it is a modern classic or better yet, avant-garde and has potential to work for 3-4 or more years. I love the color, and the style so I am willing to take the risk it will be too trendy for more than 1-2 years.

The puff shoulder, bishop sleeve sweaters I purchased this year were definitely trendy. I expect their life in my closet to be short but happy. I try not to indulge in too many items of this type, but once in a while it’s fun.

I’m not sure I answered the original question about how I balance classic and trendy in my wardrobe. I tried to answer, but ended up with something completely off track, so I’m sorry for that. I need to think more about this, because I really do have a hodgepodge mix of trend, classic and avant-garde, in each wardrobe category, and maybe using only one or two places for trends would help me decrease my wardrobe size.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I would say I go strictly by what appeals to me at the time, but informed by trends. So when I first saw culottes trending I kept my eye out for them. Right now I am looking for flares. But when a trend does not speak to me I just ignore it - not really into neon or feathers or too much sparkle. Love mules and cowboy boots, don't wear heels. Etc.

SarahD8

Veteran

I will join La Ped on Team Opportunist (although my preferred silhouettes are opposite to hers!). I like what I like, and am happy to stock up when those items are abundant. But maintaining some level of trendiness (or for that matter classic-ness) isn't really something I think about as a dressing or wardrobe planning priority.

I will say though that I'm a pretty slow adopter. Often, by the time I become interested in trying something new it no longer really seems "trendy" to me, per se.

When mules and slides first showed up again, I thought: Nope, not for me, too impractical. Well, then this summer I fell in love with a pair of sandals that happened to be slides. I bought them towards the end of the summer and wore them for a month straight. I got a lot of pleasure from wearing them, but was that because they were trendy/fashionable per se? Or just because they were new to me and therefore felt fresh? I need to think more about this. What a thought-provoking thread!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Like LisaP, I find myself more and more interested in adding trendy/crazy/embellished pieces to my closet. Adding classics feels like a snooze these days. I’ve been surprised to find that my style, my outfits, can absorb a lot more “wacky” than I thought. So where I used to stick to, say, all black with a statement necklace, lately I’m more likely to do several statements at once.

jussie

Veteran

Interesting question. I’m not exactly a classic dresser NOR am I trendy. I don’t approach the issue in a deliberate way, but it seems like my more trend-driven purchases tend to be pants. Playing with the different pants silhouettes seems to have a pretty powerful impact on an outfit. That’s not to say my pants are especially trendy either though.... just slightly more trendy than the rest of my wardrobe lol.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Anchie. I feel too conspicuous if I try to wear too many trendy items at the same time. I seek a balance.

Sometimes I actually feel like I lose track of what's trendy and what's not, or think something has gone "out" only to see it revive (I thought cold-shoulder styles were fading a few years ago only to see them roar back).

I'm happy to ignore a lot of trends and definitely cherry-pick according to my preferences and tastes. I actually have a greater desire to find pieces that are *distinctive* to my style rather than just "trendy" and then wear the heck out of them for years.

I'm probably most likely to go "trendy" on tops and jackets because those are items that I find fit me more easily (they're easier and more fun to shop for, unlike jeans shopping, which can plunge me into a funk quicker than anything except swimsuit shopping). I like inexpensive trendy bags too.