Timeless Fashion in the Age of Influence

Graphic by Wendy Zhu

Before Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest, our exposure to fashion came from our immediate circles, strangers on the street and celebrities. The cameras were on a small population, and the trends were set by the fashion designers, models, actors, singers, public figures and the like. Now, the cameras are in our pockets, and anyone can make themselves and their outfits seen. 

 Now that fashion has become so accessible, it’s tempting to adopt multiple styles and buy the items that reappear on our social media feeds.  After an aesthetically pleasing Instagram ad led me to buy yet another top, I asked myself whether what I bought was even my style. And perhaps most importantly, whether I would even want it in a few months or years. Hence the question that now guides my wardrobe, shopping habits and style – what stays timeless?

Perhaps it is a question without a definite answer, as no item of clothing is without an origin story that tells us the particular time and place it came from. Silhouettes, cuts and patterns can all be dated. But clothing does not have to be devoid of markers of its time to be timeless.

Immediate descriptors that come to mind when I think of timeless fashion: simple, versatile and non-specific. One of the first lessons we learn about dressing is to own the basics: a well-fitted pair of jeans, trousers or slacks. The most classic tops — tanks, tees, long sleeves, turtlenecks, button downs — all in neutral colors. A little black dress. A suit. A leather jacket, peacoat and trench coat. Loafers, white sneakers, strappy sandals and chelsea boots. Gold and silver jewelry. There’s a reason why these essentials are considered the foundation of a well rounded closet. They serve as a base to start with before filling your closet with more unique pieces. They are also easy to layer and style differently to create a variety of outfits. While they may seem simple, these are likely the items that stay with you the longest. 

Photos courtesy of Denimology, WorthPoint, and Hearst Apps

When we think of timeless clothing, it’s easy to exclude items that are currently on trend because they are seen as temporary fads.  However, being trendy and timeless are not mutually exclusive, and there are ways to differentiate which on-trend items will have a long life in our closets.

Photos courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar and Elle

Trendy pieces can escape impermanence if they can adapt as styles change. Jeans, for example, are perhaps one of the most easily dated items based on their cut. Bootcut jeans of the 70s gave way to the mom jeans and straight leg jeans of the 80s and 90s, followed by low-rise jeans in the 2000s and skinny jeans in the 2010s. Even if particular cuts can be dated to the time they were most popular, jeans will never be out of style.

This fall, the platform loafer is very popular. While loafers fit the very particular dark academia aesthetic of 2021, they have always been considered a timeless shoe. Even if the chunky platform is the most popular version now, it is still a classic that will always pair well in your wardrobe, regardless of what decade it is.

Photos courtesy of @champagnemani on Instagram and @maraas_ on We Heart It

Similarly, the white sneaker has seen countless trendy variations. Perhaps most recently, the chunky “dad shoe” has reappeared to make its mark on modern fashion. While some may say that they’ve had their time, they are, at the end of the day, a version of the white sneaker –and the white sneaker has outlived even the oldest Americans, as they rose in popularity after being worn by athletes in the 1920’s.

Photos courtesy of The EverPretty Blog and GQ

What makes clothing timeless is longevity. These days, hyper specific microtrends oversaturate our feeds and stores, making it easy to purchase clothing that won’t stick with us. Some examples are beaded bracelets, necklaces and chunky colorful rings. Knit dresses in pastel shades and swirling designs. Colorful crocheted tops. These are only a few of the recent trends that are not likely to appear as a staple in fashion down the line. And while multiple factors contribute to this, these items are very specific and do not resemble the clothing that has already stood the test of time and continually reappears and evolves through the years.   

As young people, it can be especially difficult to dress timelessly when current trends are so heavily marketed to us—especially in the digital age. Keeping in mind what you’ll want to keep in your closet in a few years is a way to limit filling your closet with items that won’t stay there long and reduce the impact that hyper-specific microtrends have on the environment. By thinking timelessly, we can make an impact that goes far beyond ourselves.