10 Items You Need To Achieve A Classic Look
Getting dressed is all at once the most accessible and most challenging part of the day. In one sense, it is easy to wake up, wear clothing, and go on with the day.
At the same time, choosing how you want to present yourself to the world with your outfit can be difficult. There is an inherent pressure to be trendy. That’s why we’re here to show you how you can rock a classic look every day.
According to iconic designer Karl Lagerfeld, “Trendy is the last step before tacky.” So, what’s a millennial to do if stores are filled with nothing but the latest trends for cheap? The key is to search for classic pieces that are timeless and beautiful. The answer to this dilemma is simple: channel Audrey Hepburn and fill your closet with these ten items to achieve a classic look.
1. White button-down
A white button-down is crucial to any classic closet. You can wear it to work with slacks, to brunch with skinny jeans, or out on the town with a mini skirt (or no pants a-la Risky Business). Fitted or oversized, there is a white button-down to flatter every figure, making it a go-to for those trying to achieve a classic look.
2. Black pumps
Black is a classic, and so are heels. Heels lengthen, tone the legs, pulls outfits together, and makes a statement all at once. You can wear them with a bit of black dress (like Audrey!) for dinner or a pencil skirt for a meeting, and they complete your classic look. Wearing black pumps is an excellent way to dress up an outfit if you have a date after work or want to look extra polished for a Monday-morning meeting with your boss.
3. Black cigarette pants
Cigarettes may be going out of style, but the pant-versions aren’t. Black pants are a dressier alternative to jeans and are much more versatile. You can wear the same black pants to work, to the movies, to drinks, to the grocery store, to brunch, and bed without anyone wondering if they’re the same pair (unless you wear them to bed, then people might notice).
When it comes to black cigarette pants, it is best to invest in a nice pair—you don’t want to purchase them only to discover at a work event that they are see-through.
4. Pearl earrings
Princess-like pearls? Yes, please. Pearls are fantastic for several reasons: they are both simple and eye-catching, they match every metal (making jewelry choices easy in the morning), they go with everything, and they can be found for a shockingly low price.
A pair of pearl earrings will also last forever, making them a great gift. My grandmother got me a pair for my sixteenth birthday, and I always wear them. They are, after all, a classic!
5. Little black dress
“Little black dress/ Just walked into the room/ Makin’ heads turn/ Can’t stop looking at you.”
All One Direction jokes aside, the LBD is both iconic and timeless, making it a crucial part of a classic wardrobe. A lovely LBD can be found for a very reasonable price, and there are countless styles. It is impossible not to find an LBD that you find both comfortable and flattering. If you’re like me, you’ll want to buy black dresses all the time and want to wear them even more.
6. Power suit
A power suit is always the perfect choice—even if you’re walking the dog. Power suits can be worn to work and for drinks and be perfect for both settings. Wearing a suit says,s “I am fierce, I am professional, and I’m not going anywhere,” just like the classic look.
7. Cashmere sweater
If you’re looking for classic and cozy, cuddle up in cashmere! Cashmere is pricey, but for a good reason—a nice cashmere sweater will last for decades. A simple-yet-elegant sweater is a must-have for the classic look since it can be worn everywhere with anything, and you can wear the same one for years and still look stylish.
8. Striped turtleneck
Stripes are a part of the classic look that everyone can appreciate. Prints sometimes go out of style (paisley?), but stripes never do. Turtlenecks are great for keeping warm, and they look effortlessly stylish.
Oversized or fitted, tucked or untucked—striped turtlenecks can be adjusted to flatter any form and add pizzazz, pattern, and color to a classic look.
9. Trench coat
The trench coat: an easy, stylish classic that comes in every color, cut, and size imaginable. Although trench coat styles may vary slightly, they generally all have the same look—making inexpensive versions ever appealing. You can wear a trench coat over your pajamas every day of the week and still look trés chic. The trench coat is an excellent closet addition for those seeking a classic look.
10. Versatile Flats
Flats are a must-have item for a classic look. Whether you love a good loaf or a ballerina in flats, a pair of simple, high-quality flat shoes is necessary. They can wear a beautiful dress or jeans and a wide button-down. A masculine style can tone down a full, feminine skirt. In contrast, a lace-up ballerina style can add elegance to a slouchy outfit, helping make even trendier pieces fit into a timeless business.
Next time you’re unsure what to wear, reach for one of these timeless pieces. Easy has never been more elegant, and a classic look will never go out of style.
