I didn't mean to get tangled up in the "passing along" part of this concept. I was typing the post late at night , kind of free-associating ....and sometimes what's in my head doesn't translate well on-screen

Anyways , I am still interested in seeing what part of my wardrobe I can turn into "forever pieces" (not literally but bought with an intent to wear as long as possible and not be purged for being out of date or because I am tired of it) and what will remain flexible. I have always liked looking current and aware, but I think as I get older and my world changes, I am less interested in what's trending and more interested in dressing in a way that projects "me". When I sit and people watch, it's the younger women who are dressing in the linen sets, super-chunky shoes , whatever the current look is........and that's fine. They can have at it.

And to comment on a recurring theme posted above : yes to natural fibres.

Peri - I'm with you on fashion feeling like a necessity rather than a hobby. I tend to get overly wound-up about wardrobing and fashion - despite it being my life-long "passion" and my career /adjacent for most of my adult life. I don't like puttering around trying on clothes and making up new combinations and /or tidying my closet. I don't like the planning and thought that's needed . It's all quite the contradiction for me.

I have come to really resent that word ‘timeless’ and its association With privilege and somehow ‘I’m better than you’ sentiment if I wear timeless pieces (admittedly this is mostly on Instagram and not in the context that you stress talking about.)

I actually have many, many timeless pieces because I thrift for quality and workmanship - I just LOVE the feel of a well made, well cut garment.

BUT my weight shifts a lot and almost all of these pieces are not actually timeless because I can’t wear them through body changes (except my bags, which I treasure.)

I also think that assuming for a timeless wardrobe is hard if you want to look current - and this is becoming more important to me as I get older. (A 20 year old wearing ‘timeless’ pieces looks young; me, at 46, in all timeless pieces can look staid and older.) you have taught me that, actually - your important injection of modern style through jewelry and shoes is a lesson I have taken too.

LJP, a little less literally, this is a great way to view your wardrobe and future purchases! The goal is to keep more items for longer - which is key. GO FOR IT

I believe that is how I view my own wardrobe, style, and future purchases. I am equal parts classic/retro and trendy. I am strict about keeping this balance. Trendy on the bottom, sometimes on top, and classic almost everywhere else. The classic and retro items in my wardrobe tend to have the longest lifecycle if the quality holds up.

(As per your response to Peri, it IS an interesting contradiction )

There are a few pieces I have that I've had and worn for 10+ years that I don't see going out of the closet. Aside from my grandmother's ring (which I wear everyday as my own wedding band), there are these proud and few in finds. Accessories fall more into the category of LITERAL forever pieces for me, since they get lighter wear.

I always have dark wash denim, ballet flats and loafers in neutral colors, black and navy blazers, and chambray button-downs, but the cuts and styles evolve as I wear things and wear things out and replenish with updated versions. The Chanel look is not for me.

I'm excited to pull out some old mid-heeled booties that have been in storage now that hemlines are dropped and bootcuts are back in fashion. But the jeans themselves will be new: for me, one way to return the old trend with confidence is NOT to wear vintage.

This is something I also have been thinking about a lot lately. And I have many thoughts
2 of my favorite fashion people have a wardrobe of pieces they have had forever. But for both of them, they keep the older pieces looking current bc they mix in a lot of new pieces. And I mean a lot. Both have very large wardrobes so nothing gets worn out and they can and so hold things for years without wearing them.
There is another person I follow who has a very classic style and pulls our older pieces often. She doesn’t post a lot of outfit photos, more so she posts outfit and item idea photos. So it’s hard to say, but my overall sense is she rarely looks modern instead she looks the same but with nod to current
So 2 very different ways to approach a timeless wardrobe. But both ways imo require a lot of thought and work. If you want to maintain older piece’s whatever you bring in new must be well thought out and with purpose. Both require a lot of outfit effort How will these new pieces integrate with what you’re already got. Which older pieces still fit, which need to be altered and or need maintenance (loose buttons, sagging hems etc).
I’m personally aiming straight in the middle of these 2 ideas. Wish me luck

kkards that's really interesting. I'd love to know who the folks you follow are if you feel comfortable sharing (assuming they are social media people and not people in your everyday life).

I'm intrigued by the discussion about changing priorities/aspirations with age that's bubbling up here. In the interest of not hijacking I'll start a new thread.

SarahD8- lol, nope not people I know…the 1st 2 are Trinny Woodall and Carla Rockmore. The other is Preston Davis, her blog and IG is keepitchic. And as I write this, it strikes me that these 3 women also have an extensive background in fashion, and each possess an understanding of how to dress other people as they have done that professionally.

Thank you kkards!

Hah! @ kkards and SarahD8 I was thinking Alyssa Beltempo - definitely holds onto things a long time (I’ve seen wear marks on her fave (designer) footwear. She’s much more about styling her (older)stuff in a modern way vs buying new.

Preston Davis is one of the women I was referring to as well. And she's in a bubble of privilege so far out of my norm that I stand back in a combination of awe and amusement. Blue chip all the way with her. But ......I love the pieces she posts, even if I am never going to buy them. Carla Rockmore is fun to watch but she scares me with her shoes and accessories - lol. Gorgeous clothing though and a wealth of knowledge and taste .

Yes, Alyssa Beltempo is aiming for a timeless closet, but for some reason in this conversation I didn’t even think of her.
Lisa, Preston Davis is way outside of my norm and my budget, but I like to see what she’s thinking about and then look for/think about these items in my more mid tier budget. Carla I just watch because she’s so clearly having fun, and because she is just so full of knowledge. Trinny, well she’s just a master class in fashion, and business.

I remember Ports International! I had a dress and sweater way back when I was in my twenties from Ports.
Interesting discussion.
I like the idea of timeless, classic pieces that I plan on keeping for a long time. Forever is maybe tricky to judge. My size and taste don't change much, and I don't worry about looking trendy.

These are some of my pieces that are staying for the long term:

I have a few vintage handbags that I would put in this category. I rarely buy new bags but look in consignment stores for older ones in good condition.

My Burberry trench coat (purchased 18 years ago). It is not going anywhere.

Woolrich sweater (gift 1985). Love it.

Jesse Kamm Sailor Pants (2017). They are probably going to stick around for a while.

Brown Leather Jacket (purchased 20 years ago).

Theory Cognac Wool Coat (purchased 15-plus years ago).

I think a forever piece needs to be 1. True to the wearer above all 2. Very well made (agreeing about the natural fibers) 3. Either classic Or beyond trend- the kinds of things Brooklyn called Iconic. Agreeing that your McQueen scarf would be one!

I definitely think there needs to be a balance between the pieces that feel timeless and ones to add to have a refresh. Thinking of the French 5 Piece Wardrobe idea *disclaimer- I tried, failed, and forgot about it til just now or a purchase number limit (as opposed to $ limit).

I forgot about bags! I’ve had some bags for 15 years! And I love a worn in leather tote. I’ve only added one to my collection about three years ago, so all the rest… seven maybe… are about ten years old, and could qualify as forever items as they are great quality and stitching, still in use, and enjoyed.

And then there’s raw denim which I have purchased with a “forever” in mind because it only gets better with age. It’s only body changes that have figured in my jeans being more temporary than I’d like in the last 20 years since I started wearing rigid denim again.

What an interesting discussion. Thanks for starting it, Lisa.

I have little to add that would not just echo others, so I'll echo Brooklyn, with her concept of "iconic" pieces, and Angie on the value of mixing classic items with more current or trendy items. Like Roxanna, I find it more important to add currency to my closet now than I used to, as I age. But that may be (in my case) because left to my own devices I would choose all boring classics -- the result of a frugal upbringing and also -- well -- a genuine preference for preppy classics (at least some of the time.)

I tend to purchase the "icons" the way Brooklyn does -- I know I may not wear it a lot, but I know I will love it, and it is worth it to me. My Rag and Bone gilet is one of those.

Classic items can either be very high quality -- the best I can afford -- which includes my Reiss blazer -- or less expensive -- like some layering tops in very classic style.

Nothing in my closet will last forever and I don't plan to pass anything down to my kid, who would not fit it or want it. I do offer some items to my stepdaughter now, though -- we're a similar size. My classic items can and do last up to 10. years, maybe longer. But most don't last that long because they wear out. I need to replace and upgrade them.

Very interesting topic, I loved reading everyone’s thoughts on this. I very much agree with Suntiger’s three points above.

For myself, I do aspire to longevity in my wardrobe, and generally tend to keep things for a long time (even if not necessarily "forever"). I have noticed that there are certain garment categories where I tend to have more success than other’s in finding long lasting pieces though, and where I would willingly spend more money, namely coats, knitwear, bags and smaller accessories. I have several wool coats (some bought new and some vintage from the 60’s and 70’s) that I’ve had for more than a decade and that I can’t imagine I will ever get rid of. I have knitwear that my grandmother knitted for herself in her younger days that I have been wearing since high school and that still looks as good as new (while others have not aged quite as well, like some oversized 80’s acrylic sweaters), and simple crewneck cashmere sweaters bought vintage that I’ve had for years and years. The bags that I wear daily are also all more than a decade old (both new and vintage). Other garment categories I don’t expect to last quite as long, like tops, trousers and shoes. Both because they get much harder wear, and also because those are pieces that I tend to use to update my style and keep it more current - like changing trouser silhouettes for example.

I think in general it’s getting harder and harder to find that forever quality though, no matter the price point. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that most of my oldest (to me) pieces are vintage. The last thing I bought new that I feel has the potential to be a forever piece was a forest green wool and cashmere coat I got in 2015 that has been in heavy rotation every winter since. It was a true impulse purchase that cost around $500, and I think it was part of the debut women’s line of a local brand, so they had a very small production at the time, which I think contributed to the high quality. That coat has been part of every winter collection since, but sadly the quality looks worse each year while the price increases.

Like some others have said, I think those forever pieces are often serendipitous, but if I were to plan for them there are a few things I would consider: fabric (natural fabrics, and thicker, sturdier fabrics tend to age better), production (like I touched on above, I think brands that have a smaller production can produce better quality), knowing my own taste and the parts of it that has stayed consistent over the years, and if it’s not an iconic/statement piece I would try to aim for a degree of timelessness and restraint by avoiding exaggerated shapes (like very oversized or fitted, too flared, too strong shoulders, etc), and too much detailing.