Balancing trends and classics
The last six months of 2019 I didn’t buy anything except for few replacements. I stopped using Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration and didn’t check any online stores. A good thing, right? It also means that I neglected this blog but I do have some future posts in mind so hopefully that will make up for it. Removing myself from all online style and/or outfit inspiration also means that I missed out on a few items that, in hindsight, I actually would have wanted to buy.
While I was making this list, I realised that most of the things on it aren’t considered timeless but rather trendy. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, I’m sure you know that I’ve talked about ‘classic’ and ‘timeless’ pieces over and over again. But let’s face it, sometimes you’re just attracted to a particular trend. With a basic wardrobe such as mine, it’s easy to incorporate trends but should it be something that I want to do? I honestly don’t know. Although I feel that fashion should be fun and something to enjoy, there’s also that feeling of guilt when I no longer like a piece of clothing that I kind of knew wouldn’t withstand the test of time. But let’s get to the list:
- I gave up on Isabel Marant years ago. Too expensive, the quality was no longer the same etc. But a short visit to the Isabel Marant store a few weeks ago instantly rekindled a long lost love affair. Mind you, I still find most of the clothes and accessories too expensive. I don’t mind paying for quality, but within reason. I’m not going to shill out €1000 for a coat. But instead, I will consider something if it goes on sale. In this case I was looking for the Gabrion coat that I first spotted in Karen’s video or the shorter version, the Gaston coat. Well, long story short, they’re both sold out everywhere and quite frankly, I cannot justify another coat. Instead I found this Mango jacket that’s very reminiscent of that collection and could work as a more casual jacket for indoors. Naturally, it’s also sold out.
- The same goes for this particular beanie. Also sold out and nowhere to be found. So I might go for Dutch brand Le Bonnet which sells beanies in a wide range of colours. I could opt for black, beige or another subdued colour but I’m actually contemplating maybe a bright orange or red. But I need to consider; am I going to invest in a bright coloured wool beanie that may only be fun for this season or do I stick with safe, classic neutrals?
- Yes, I can most definitely buy a random €15 hair brush. And it will probably do the job but I’m stubborn and want to find out for myself if this classic Mason Pearson hair brush is everything everyone is raving about on the internet and in real life.
- I tried on a similar wool-blend hat in the Isabel Marant store and low and behold, it actually looked really good. Don’t you hate it when that happens? I may consider it with further price reductions. But as I only saw it for the first time three weeks ago, I’m going to need a little more time to see if it really sticks with me. Is it too trendy, I don’t know.
- Arket does pretty bags from time to time. But again, just another thing I don’t really need. It isn’t even that practical. It’s small and I prefer cross body bags.
- Oh this will definitely be a future purchase. It’s a shame that I’m not wearing my favourite red lipstick right now because I still need to buy a lip liner. It needs to match Chanel’s Pirate but I think they no longer sell that Rouge Profond lip pencil that was a good match. Hopefully this one works as well.
- Another Isabel Marant inspired item; the Regina slouchy jeans. Do these even look good on anyone except models? I need to know so I tried to order them two times now and for some reason they keep sending me the wrong size. Zalando, the last time I wore a size 34, I must have been 16. Come on now.
So there you have it, a list of things that are sold out, I don’t need or I can’t seem to order in the right size LOL. My apologies, it’s probably not that interesting to read. But writing things down sometimes helps to get them out of my head. And I also like to use this blog as a way to document my style over the years. Although it doesn’t seem to have changed that much.
As for balancing trends and classics, I don’t have a clear answer. I will probably always find myself drawn to certain trends. Some I ignore. Some become staples in my wardrobe long after the hype is gone but I also own a few things that I won’t wear for years to come. Right now, I try to maintain a balance of 85-15% between more timeless pieces and things that will spice up my wardrobe for as long as they last.
What are your thoughts on trends and a timeless wardrobe? Is that something that you strive for?
The thing about our closet, sometimes we never know what we end up doing with our lives. For all the “timeless, classic” attire—I’ve barely touched in over 2 years because my lifestyle changed, 3/4s of my closet I don’t even get to wear. And the very classic basic pieces, I ended up selling off. I feel blah in those clothes now. Yet I have crazy things in my closet that have been there for years, because they are unique, no one else is going to have these clothes. For ex: whenever I carry my Vuitton Noctambule bag circa early 2000s, people stop me, because it is a striking design. As much as I like the classic monogram Neverfull, I just can’t justify having the same bag as every suburban mom in my area that blatantly advertises its maker and price from across the room.
That said, basics are the foundation of my wardrobe. Certain things like pants, tops, jeans, and fine jewelry–I keep fairly simple.
So if a trend really resonates with you, makes you super happy, go for it. I think unique, innovative designs while not “The Classic Classics” are definitely timeless. I strive for a timeless wardrobe, but not necessarily a classic one.
Mango, I love their style. Reminds me of Zara over 10 years ago. But I have to admire them from a far as their sizing does not work for me.
Also KarenBritChick! I love her! In her most recent NY video, she stopped a handsome man wearing an orange beanie, so go for it!
Good point, P! I love that; a timeless wardrobe but not a classic one. Although I think the difference between you and me is that you actually ‘invest’ in quality, innovative designer clothes. I have a hard time spending a lot of cash on something that doesn’t feel classic (I know, it’s just in my head) so I usually go for high street brands. Just to be safe, so it doesn’t feel like a lot of money lost when it doesn’t work for me anymore. I wish I dared to buy beautifully made designer clothes that aren’t necessarily classic and had the patience to sell online.
Karen is wonderful, isn’t she? I’ve been following her for years and love that she’s able to mix vintage, high street and designer stuff so effortlessly. And those street style videos are lovely. Almost completely free of today’s trends and just about personal style.
oh my clothes are high street too (h&m, old navy, target, f21, thrifted etc…) especially in the last 2+ yrs i sadly dress like a gross slob 5 days a week for work. my clothes end up filthy or ripped. coupled with skin issues, unruly hair, and already being a person of color it really wears down on my self esteem to feel so unkempt everyday. so i need inexpensive clothes that i wont cry over. my days off i really overcompensate wearing my niceish things. but im certainly not wearing head to toe designer clothes nor do i aspire to!
im referring to my very classic conservative basics like brooks brothers sweaters from my business casual life, ive sold off.
Ah sorry for the confusion, I still remember your wonderful Rick Owens outfits from your blog 🙂 But I can imagine that for some jobs, inexpensive clothes are the better option. Sorry to hear you’re feeling a little down. I wish I had the right words to say but I can only admit to feeling the same off and on again. Thank god I went to the hairdresser two weeks ago and I finally bought a hair brush yesterday 😮
I agree, I’d much rather wear the unique one of a kind clothes. It’s a no-brainer to combine them together but what I reach for when I look in my wardrobe are the fun things, not the basics.. I do need basics like everyone else does but I don’t find them a motivation to wear something easy, I find them too boring. I like that you have defined that timeless style is not always a classic style. I can’t agree more
Yes, I loved that as well… a timeless style is not always a classic style. So true when you really think of it and definitely an approach I need to keep in mind when I start doubting myself again.
Good to see you back! I feel like 2019 was the first year in a while where I really wanted to try out things that I could identify as a new-ish trend that I expected to get somewhat dated fairly quickly: (1) a satin-y or silk-looking slip skirt, which didn’t work out in the end, and (2) some colorful croc-embossed letter items, which I got in a pair of shoes and a wallet. With both types of items, I fell really hard for the idea of them, kept thinking about them over several months, so I’d like to think that I’d still like and wear the items even after the trend has faded. I didn’t think either type of item would get to the point where they felt so dated that I wouldn’t be able to pick them up after the trend was passed (which happened with those large, colorful statement necklaces – crystal collars and bubble necklaces – that I bought into hard for a while in the early 2010s).
Come to think of it, I’m not sure why I find myself so unable to wear those large statement necklaces again, because I’m normally the type to let go of most trends very late. (Among other things, I still haven’t left behind skinny jeans in favor of the many other more fashion-forward silhouettes that have come and gone since then.) I guess those necklaces where just too loud and distinctive?
Ah you fell for the silk slip skirt trend as well haha. I tried it, didn’t work for me either. I think I know what you mean with those necklaces. They’re quite in your face whether they’re a trend or not. It’s hard to predict which trends will withstand the test of time. I think skinny jeans won’t ever go away although I rarely wear them myself these days. A more straight fit looks better on my body now and I even occasionally enjoy a flared jeans. Never would have guessed that when I last wore them in the first year of high school.