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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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?
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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?