In an effort to be more sustainable, and avoid buying into the ~aesthetics, -cores and TikTok microtrends that dominate social media, we’re often advised to invest in “basic”, “classic” clothing pieces that will “NEVER go out of style”. From plain white t-shirts to jeans to trench-coats - What does classic even mean?
Classic, in the context of fashion, refers to clothing pieces that will remain appealing regardless of changes in society or time. In theory, investing in such a wardrobe should be a step in the right direction in sustainability, since we’re less likely to discard these pieces after a season. In the 90’s, it was baggy and loose mom jeans; in the early 2000s, it was distressed denim and bootcut jeans; in the 2010’s it was skinny jeans and jeggings; - and then mom jeans came back in style during the 2019 VSCO-girl mom jean era. While classic styles are often championed as ~timeless and ~sustainable, a closer look reveals that this isn’t quite true and our modern consumption patterns might be compromising their potential longevity.
Specifically, while fashion trends are considered cyclical, such that older styles have previously resurged in popularity every 20 years (see the resurgence of the 90’s and Y2K clothing styles in the past decade), trend cycles are becoming increasingly shorter with the rise of social media and TikTok fast fashion hauls. Further, despite the appeal of classic styles, the idea of "classic" can itself be influenced by trends. Companies often reinterpret classic styles to align themselves with current trends and aesthetics, which can lead to the following paradox: these supposedly timeless pieces are frequently updated and marketed as new, encouraging continued consumption.
Even classic pieces are subjected to this cycle of overconsumption. Garments that might otherwise last a lifetime are discarded sooner, simply because they no longer align with current trends.
The point is, many of these so-called classic pieces are just trendy clothes repackaged to align with the current fashion trends. I’m not telling you to NEVER follow trends, I’m just suggesting you focus on developing your own personal style and buy pieces that you genuinely love. This will ensure that the pieces are timeless for you. By partaking in mindful shopping practices, focusing on quality over quantity, and focusing on developing their own personal style, it will make these clothing pieces timeless for YOU. If possible, focus on purchasing pieces that you actually love instead of trying to determine if it’ll go “out of style”. Consider buying versatile and durable pieces that reduce the need for frequent replacements.
Comments