Hello FFA!
The idea of “classic” or “timeless” items comes up pretty often around here. Often that’s in the context of someone who is about to do a wardrobe overhaul and wants to avoid buying things that will quickly look dated, or arguments that spring up when someone suggests an particular item might be going out of style.
So that got me thinking: When we argue about whether or not an item is “classic” or “timeless”, is part of our disagreement that we aren’t all using those words in the same way?
More specifically:
-
When we say an item is “classic” or “timeless”, do we mean that it will never look dated, or do we mean that it will always look good, even if it looks dated?
-
Or is it neither of those things – do we mean that it goes in and out of style often enough that even if it looks dated for a few years it’ll be trendy again in the blink if an eye?
-
Is a classic item something that will always be available, even if it’s not in style? For example, the popularity of biker boots will wax and wane, but it’s not like you can’t find them anywhere during their “down” years.
-
If something is in style for 10 years, does that count as “classic” or “timeless”? Does it need to be 20 years? 40 years? 50 years? I think we can all agree that timeless doesn’t literally mean timeless, but I’m really curious what time range people have in mind when they use the word.
-
-
If so, does this mean that calling something classic is essentially saying “I predict that this will be in style for the next X number of years”?
-
-
When we talk about classic or timeless styles are we really just talking about really slow-moving trends? For example, was something that was classic in the 1990s still classic now? Or does each fashion era have it’s own classics the span the era?
-
Related to the above: Are “classic” items usually tied a specific, distinctive style (e.g. New England Prep or punk?)?
-
What level of detail do you go to when judging whether or not something is classic? For example, one could argue the “little black dress” is a classic, while others will argue that the exact cut, length, neckline, and fabric of an LBD dates it to a specific time.
-
Is an item that becomes saturated (really popular and mainstream) more or less likely to be and/or become classic?
-
Without referencing specific items, what criteria do you use for judging something as classic or not?
Edit: Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the great discussion!
