When you think of timeless fashion, what comes to mind? If it’s Levi’s jeans, Converse, white tees, or even a little black dress, you’re spot on. Timeless fashion is simple and minimalistic - something we are seeing a lot of in recent fashion. Looking at recent favs, we have an obsession with neutral basics, quality denim, and a simple shoe. While we may see this as a trend, the polished but effortless look is nothing new.

Timeless pieces are always a staple in fashion, even when we circle back to old trends. For example, recently trends went back to Y2K with baby tees, low rise jeans, and matching sweatsuits. While the flashy Y2K look is seeming to fade away, we are still imitating looks that were in the heart of that era. Imagine a classic picture of Jennifer Anniston rocking denim with a fitted tee, leather blazer, and a black boot. You could easily see Kendall Jenner or even your favorite influencer wearing this today, probably styling classic brands like Levi’s and Doc Martens as many did years ago. This is because the sophisticated look transcends time. It was worn by celebrities 20 years ago, as it is today by you and me for its reliability, sustainability, and universality.  

We are especially drawn to embodying the timeless look in a retreat from recent years of micro-trends that were unsustainable, chaotic, and hard to keep up with. Sure, some were fun, but realistically how versatile are the animal print pants and neon baby tees? The hurry to order every colored pair of Zara jeans and various patterned sweaters, that would soon not be flattering in the weeks to come, have left people exhausted in their attempts to dress appropriately. It seems natural in the face of this that we would retreat to the simplest of styles. 

There is nothing wrong with participating in trends of course, especially when you truly like how they look, but many trends are not as reliable and elegant as timeless fashion. We should take advantage of this time of appreciating the sophisticated look, to learn how to identify what pieces can build our dream reliable wardrobe. That way, in the face of a new trend, you can pick and choose where to dapple and accent your staple closet, without the panic of having to purge everything and start over once an era is over. 

The main piece of timeless fashion is usefulness and universality. Part of what makes a piece timeless is how many people can access it and to what extent. A perfect example is a pair of jeans. Denim will always complement an outfit and be needed in anyone's wardrobe, ranging in size, style, gender, preferences, etc. Low rise jeans, however, are not as universally flattering, making them lack value to the majority of people and therefore longevity. A leather jacket too, will always be a quality, warm essential that pairs well with any basic and would flatter anyone. It is hard to get rid of something so essential, and with this we immediately look at it as elegant and necessary.

The universality and usefulness factor even applies to colors. Neutrals are easy to pair together in endless combinations, as opposed to pastel or neon. Having color is great, but even better with neutrals to pair with. Additionally, neutrals come in both cool and warm tones, making them easier to cater to your own liking. 

Many brands have become classic and known by everyone, like Levi’s and Converse, making their look appreciable throughout any time period. Converse is just one brand of a simple tennis shoe, as Levi’s is just a brand of denim. These brands are simply examples of the epitome of simple but sustainable and reliable types of pieces, that can be purchased any way we choose. 

Timeless fashion can be as luxury or inexpensive as one desires, as the sustainability comes from the universality of the pieces, rather than where they come from. Really, no one knows whether you bought your white tee from Aritzia or the thrift store - they each can create a strong foundation for your outfit. The investment in timeless fashion can come from the money spent if you choose, but it really lies in the confidence that the pieces will be versatile and useful, no matter where you get them, unlike the trendy pieces we feel rushed to buy from the media. By keeping this in mind, buyers can shop for which brand of jeans they find the most flattering and which blazer or pair of boots suits them best, and assuringly build their personal timeless closet.