Does a Timeless Wardrobe Really Exist

In a Capitalist Society, Can Anybody Really Have a Timeless Sense of Fashion?

By Allie Parker

The year is 2050. We now have flying cars and communicate through holograms. Many things have changed since 2023, but there are always some things that will never change—like corny spirit days during homecoming week at every American high school. The theme for this year’s homecoming is “A Blast from the Past.” Each day of spirit week you must wear an outfit from an earlier decade, and the final one is “2020s.” On Friday, you show up to school decked out in boot-cut jeans, a graphic T-shirt, and Doc Martens. Your friend is adorned in a corset, a mini skirt, and leg warmers, and another in all black clothing with smoky makeup and chaotic eyeliner. Nobody can quite decide on what the aesthetic of the 2020s truly entails. That is both the beauty and the downfall of the fashion world in 2023. 

Today, fashion is drowning in “cores”: fairycore, balletcore, gothcore, clowncore. I myself have fit into each of these categories at some point in the timeline of my fashion journey. While it’s completely healthy to change up your style, the speed at which fashion trends are evolving is not. So, can anyone really possess a timeless wardrobe?

First, we must ask, “What is a timeless wardrobe?” Obviously no clothing can truly be timeless considering how fashion has evolved since the beginning of human civilization. To me, something timeless is something that could fit in with fashion at any point within the past century. Within this short range of time in our history, fashion changed rapidly as the industry grew exponentially. Because of this, I believe it isn’t possible to have a timeless wardrobe. However, it is possible to own individual pieces of timeless clothing. These items are generally “staple pieces” which you can dress up or down, layer with other items, and wear with many outfits. Basically, the closest you can get to a timeless wardrobe is by owning a sustainable wardrobe that you can easily mix and match.

To me, this is the key to having a good sense of style. Being able to play around with more basic items takes more of an artistic vision and is so much more fun than purchasing fast fashion items. I’m not saying it’s necessary to completely reject current fashion trends, but it's important to recognize what trends you genuinely like and think you will wear for an extended period of time with other clothing items you already own.

Now for the fun part: What are some “staple” pieces you should include in your wardrobe? A white-button up is a classic. It’s easily layerable, which makes it the perfect piece for any season. You can essentially wear it in any setting—school, a job interview, a date—the possibilities are endless.

Another item you should have in your closet is, of course, a solid pair of jeans. Invest in a pair that will last you a couple years, and that doesn’t have any crazy patterns or cuts. Don’t be afraid to splurge a bit when buying a pair of jeans–it’ll be worth the price when you end up wearing them for years.

In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a pair of plain black boots. These are another piece that can easily be dressed up or down, and mesh with many styles. Whether you’re going for an edgy concert look, or a sleek look for a night out in the city, this is an underrated staple piece.

Leather jackets. Whether they’re timeless or not is up for debate, but they’ve definitely been a fundamental fashion piece for decades. They’re a great finishing touch for a variety of outfits, and also make for warm outerwear. I love that I can wear my leather jacket in 15 degree weather and still look stylish.

While these staple pieces are a must for many fashionistas, they may not be for everyone. Maybe your lavender fuzzy boots or fire engine-red sequined jacket are staples for you–so long as you wear an item consistently, you can create your own unique but versatile wardrobe. Sustainable is the new timeless.