Is this timeless? Exploring the concept. - 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

Is this timeless? Exploring the concept.

AM

Veteran

Beginner here. Questioning "timeless". I would call this boucle jacket "timeless", would you? It is not my objective to buy "timeless" -- I tend to buy what strikes my fancy but upon reflection, I do think I like pieces that might be an updated classic. Is this an updated classic, and does that equal "timeless"? Trying to learn about my own preferences...thanks in advance for feedback.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Thistle

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Nothing is timeless.

However, what goes around does come around. In a slightly different fashion.

Even the most iconic, classic pieces (black moto, slim straight blue jeans, white tee shirt, navy blazer, pencil skirt, etc.) get reshaped to fit the times.

merwoman

Veteran

I'm no good with definitions AM - so no help there. Like you, I buy what appeals to me - but I do consider how trendy the item is. I won't spend a lot of $$ for trendy items, and will save that for something a little longer lasting. It can be a fine line between trend and statement piece at times.

MsMary

Veteran

Yup. Categories of clothing (as Suz mentioned, navy blazers, white tees, etc.) can be classic or timeless, but any given garment is going to reflect its time and will ultimately look dated.

That looks more like a coat than a jacket to me, and it's lovely although I the coats I'm seeing in the stores don't seem to be featuring the collarless/no lapels look at the moment.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think the longevity of a style depends on your age, style, and environment. For an older woman who lives in an urban environment and always wears tailored, classic cuts, that jacket might have a fairly long lifespan as long as the color was flattering, the garment was tailored to fit perfectly, and the woman's shape and environment didn't change.

And that's basically the problem that I have with concept of "timeless" when it comes to clothes. People aren't static.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's it, Ms. Mary and Gaylene. Categories of items can be classic and in some sense "timeless" (e.g. "the white shirt"). But individual items, less so. And this partly because fashion changes, and partly because we change. Bodies, lifestyles, needs.

Ms. Mary has a saying: Clothes are a consumable, not an investment. They do not accrue more value the longer you keep them. Except maybe if you are a princess who is saving your wedding gown to donate to charity.

Summer

Veteran

For me, a timeless piece is one that is cut right back to the bone; so classic styling with no details, quality fabric - for a coat that would mean cashmere or a good wool/mix. As others have said, though, even timeless pieces need to be updated from time to time.

Anonymous

I think this coat/jacket is indeed timeless. At least it is on my timeline of timeless, and what the word means to me. I could and would wear it this year, last year, and next year. It transcends trends.

gryffin

Veteran

AM - Totally agree with lisap. I think this coat has elements that are historic - almost a frock coat and equestrian feel. It is also current without a lapel and with the notch collar - almost a dead ringer for the EF. I do consider this coat timeless - it's neutral, there is nothing exteme to pinpoint a year of origin, plus the style is honestly fringe - there are always a few great coats that appear because some of us, including designers, must just like them - but it's because it's not mainstream that it lacks an expiration date IMHO. You can update the supporting pieces and that keeps the reference current. Since I am more interested in personal style than trends - this is timeless to me.

Vildy

Veteran

I would say updated and not timeless because of the way the lapels lay.
But I can't think of any individual garment of any era where you could
pinpoint it as timeless. The collar styles change, lapel widths, even
the very volume of the garment. Think of a man's silk robe. In some
decades quite full cut even if the basic lines and length might be the same.

Anonymous

I think that even with taking on board what others have already said about the longevity of items and updating classics etc, that I agree with Lisa and Gryffin. It does seem as though that coat would stand the test of time and would certainly see you through a good many years

AM

Veteran

I am in the same camp as Lisa and Gryffin. But so interesting to get everyone's feedback on this. I am not a student of fashion or fashion history. And I also am interested in personal style vs. trend (nice distinction, Gryffin). And Summer, I'm thinking the same thing about few embellishments, really understander pieces.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I think the coat is a classic, but not timeless. The width and shape of the collar, as well as the loose, boxy fit, will mark it as belonging to a certain season, if not seasons. BUT: that does not mean you can't wear it for many years, or that it will look out of place. It may not be trendy in seasons to come, but I don't think it will look dated, either.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Classic? Yes. But not timeless. The straight tailoring, inverted collar and single button are all quite Now, in fact.

The styling is derived from the classic men's Crombie coat (1) a form which Phoebe Philo started playing with at Celine a few years ago (2). The inverted collar was an innovation by her old mucker Stella McCartney (3).

That's not to say it won't have some longevity. If it's a quality coat that fits and suits you, then I say wear it for as long as you can. It's a nice coat

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

AM

Veteran

approprio: Thank you for references and history. To know more about what I like just makes this a richer experience. Again, thank you.

Staysfit

Veteran

That concept of timeless is tough isn't it! I guess if you keep anything long enough it defacto becomes timeless, but it may not look stylish anymore!

By the way, I love the collar on the coat. I found a blazer with a similar collar but the lapels are still folded instead of flat, and not overly wide. I love that look. If I can find another, that fits, I plan to snap it up!

kkards

Veteran

i want to go back to what gaylene said
I think the longevity of a style depends on your age, style, and environment
if i wore this to work it would definitely mark me as being of an older generation. now i'm not saying that people i work with don't know that i'm older than they are, or that i am trying to hide my age. i'm just saying that this would not read as timeless in my work environment.

Helena

Veteran

I second what Gryffin said! I also agree with Suz, nothing is truly timeless, although when I look for something timeless, I generally have in mind something that is going to withstand the trends for several years at a time - a veritable lifetime in the world of fashion!

AM

Veteran

Staysfit: Your coat sounds lovely. And it is so nice to hear distinctions regarding timeless and classic.

kkards: Yes and yes. Very interesting when you overly external forces. Glad you highlighted gaylene's comment.

torontogirl: Ten years sounds good. Okay, five. I have a very small wardrobe but I can see how YLF could change that! Yikes.

AM

Veteran

And referencing Caro's Kibbie post... And some short quizzes. I am a classic.

Helena

Veteran

AM, you are speaking my language ... my dad was raised in London in the ration years post-war; one of his great prides is wearing the same pair of sandals for 35 years. It's in my blood! In this day and age, I think 5 years is a great goal, but I would totally go for 10 if I thought I could!!! I know I have a few things at about the five year mark that I am not planning to get rid of this year ...

What quiz(zes) did you take? Love to try them

Anonymous

With this particular coat, I think the style is classic but the bouclé gives it a twist. (That's a pun I think.) So it wouldn't be timeless in that sense but an updated classic. In wool or cashmere, it would be more traditional. Oops ... another word. Maybe "timeless" and "traditional" are related?

Thistle

Veteran

I would call it classic. Not sure timeless applies to fashion.