Investing in the Classics for a New Season
By Sharon Mosley
As a new season slowly begins to peek out from the chill and the daffodils and closets get prepared for sunnier days, it’s time to separate the classics from the trends. Think about new ways to take those basic pieces that we return to year after year and mix them up for a whole new lease on fashion life.
“Trends now cycle so quickly that forgotten dry cleaning is considered ‘vintage,’” says Kendall Farr, one of my favorite fashion stylists and author of The Pocket Stylist. However, Farr reminds us that there are some common themes that consistently recycle in every new fashion season.
“They resurface with frequency in new guises,” she says, “because they give designers and us an accessible way to mix pieces, to add contrasts to a look, to expand conventional ideas about masculine and feminine attire, or to add surface interest to an outfit.”
So before you get too busy clearing away the clutter, check out a few of these “classics” that you can count on keeping in your closet this spring:
A Lace Skirt: A great basic, especially in black or an unexpected color, a lace skirt can be dressed up or down, according to Farr. “Pair it easily with a turtleneck and boots and a leather jacket as well as a soft knit top and sexy heels for cocktails.”
Slip Dress or Skirt: Another year-round piece that pairs well with textured cardigan sweaters and as underpinnings with all weights of tailored or tough jackets and coats.
Camisole: The ultimate layering piece in soft silk, cotton or lace, camisoles have become a must-have basic for all seasons of the year. They are also a great way to add a pop of the latest color to any outfit.
The Leather Jacket: As classic as a good handbag, leather jackets with a nipped waist or refined sporty shape in black or dark brown will go with just about everything in your closet.
Military Looks: Whether its inspiration is Army, Navy or safari, the military-inspired jackets and coats have stood the test of time, particularly if they are classic in style and don’t have an abundance of exaggerated details; i.e. huge lapels, cuffs or buttons. However, wearing military-inspired pieces head to toe is too much of a good thing.
Sheer Tops: Another great layering classic to have in your wardrobe, especially the solid chiffon shirt in pastels or primary colors. Layer these over stretchy camisoles in a tonal color combination. Or wear a sheer top under a jacket for work. And remember, the “bra-under-sheer” thing is passe, says Farr. “It has a kind of American-Idol-contestant quality that is best avoided. Not to mention the visual miscalculation of slicing your upper body into thirds. Keep the line underneath long, unbroken, and fitted by wearing a stretch camisole with an underwire bra cup built in.”
Metallics: A great way to make your wardrobe shine. Farr’s best bets for longevity: A skirt in a classic shape such as a pencil or slight A-line, a seasonless coat, a fitted jacket, sweater knits, and accessories. And of course, be sure to go subtle with the metallic. “Keep the tones understated and they’ll pair better with day-to-day staples like jeans, white shirts and lightweight knits that will give the look its daytime edge,” she says.
Textured Knits: If your wardrobe is full of solid colors, then add some texture to perk up your pieces. But beware of getting too bulky with chunky sweaters, says Farr. “The more heft to the texture, the more volume it will add to your body. Pair your knits with smooth, lightweight wool, silk, linen or denim.”
Prints: Add a touch of the latest fashion news with a trendy print. But again, pay attention to the scale of the pattern. “Good bets for all body sizes,” says the stylist, are “midscale prints in tonal color combinations on medium to light-hued grounds, graphic black and white combinations like blown-up houndstooth or geometric patterns.”
Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.
Photo courtesy of www.anthropologie.com