Tips on How to Have a Timeless Look
CLASSIC. We’ve heard that word many times before. Classic car, classic movie, classic anything. The word itself originated in France where it was used for the first time in the early 17th century.
The “C” word defines something that is perceived over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind. But “classic” is really something that is timeless, something that you can see over and over and don’t get tired of because of its quality and beauty. In fashion, the “C” word could be replaced with the word “elegant” to give you a better idea of what it represents.
No matter what trends each decade brings us, the timeless look seems to be the one that always holds its place in the world of fashion. It’s also because trends don’t work for everyone and don’t necessarily create the best version of you. I wish someone told me this when I was younger because growing up in the 80s and 90s, I loved trends. Looking through my photos from 20 years ago, I can’t help but ask myself, “What was I thinking?”
I’ve noticed that some people still don’t quite understand the concept of classic style. They might think that their street-style is timeless while wearing cheap looking jeans and a white t-shirt. If it’s not elegant, it’s probably not classic.
I decided to break the style down into three simple categories because classic clothing without the right hairstyle and makeup will never look completed and right.
Classic Fashion
Classic fashion is mainly about simplicity in style and design. Pairing a nice white blouse with a black pencil skirt, in theory, could be it. Though it is a safe elegant look, it could be a bit boring and not so, let’s say, iconic. When you look at the fashion of the 40’s or 50’s, women paid attention to details. They wore gloves, scarves, and of course, jewelry. Their hair and makeup always fit the part. That’s why those women looked so put together and elegant. When choosing your staple pieces, be sure they don’t look cheap. They don’t have to be high-end luxury items, but they have to be well-made from quality materials. In a post somewhere online, I once read that classic colors should be black, white and grey. I disagree. Classic fashion is not about specific colors. You can even wear different patterns as long as the pieces look high quality. For instance, a trench coat is considered to be a classic staple piece. It can be black or leopard print, and both are equally timeless. Or, you can wear a short polka dot wrap dress paired with a red handbag, and the look could also be timeless. So, don’t be afraid of colors and patterns.
Classic Makeup
Classic makeup is very simple. It accentuates your features rather than over-powering them. The key element to this makeup is eyeliner, and there is a reason why women love to wear it still today. It makes the eyes more powerful yet natural. Classic eyeliner can be drawn on with black pencil, liquid or gel eyeliner. To draw a softer line, you can use a black eyeshadow. If you have hooded eyes, you can draw the eyeliner inside of the upper waterline and wing it out in a 45-degree angle. Lips can be red, but they don’t have to be. For everyday wear, red can draw too much attention to you, and you don’t always want that. Choose your lipstick to compliment your wardrobe and be sure it’s not matchy-matchy with your top.
Classic Hair
Forget your favorite beach waves for this look. To complete your classic look, you should make sure your hair is soft and shiny. A regular blow out is a nice, simple option. Hot rollers will also do the job. And if you use a curling iron, do regular pin curls and make sure the final hairstyle has enough volume. By brushing the hair out, you will achieve a nice, smooth look which you need to set with a light hair spray. If you have short hair, avoid any “spikey” looks. The hair can be sleek or lifted, depending on your cut and preference.
I hope some of this helped to clarify some of the misconceptions about what a classic look and style is. While you might find the classic 90’s jeans to be the 90’s classic look, it only works for that decade. In general, jeans are not considered to be classic fashion simply because they are not elegant.
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