When Fashion Trends & Classic Style Align

Many people believe that fashion trends and classic style aren’t compatible, but believe it or not, we disagree. While fashion may change, it still has to get its inspiration from somewhere, and more often than not, the best source is from the past. Imitation is, after all, the best form of flattery.

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Some trends are exaggerations of old styles, like how the big and bold power suits from the 80s were basically the 40s Victory suit styles on steroids. That isn’t to say that all trends are this way, but chances are what’s in today was at least inspired from somewhere in the past. Even the slim styles we’ve seen over the past decade or so were clearly inspired by the Mod styles in the 60s, and elements or design features that seem to be completely unique can be traced back to classic style, even if their connection in the fashion family tree is a bit removed.

For example, windbreakers and items made from technical fabric and Hypebeast culture could be traced back to military innovations and fabric usage, just like how the peacoat, trench coat, and field coat all originally were designed to keep soldiers warm and dry on the battlefield, but later became classic and stylish pieces for civilians in their day-to-day life. So, while these reinterpretations are usually not a one-to-one of their predecessors, in terms of longevity or versatility, there is still some DNA of classic style in them.

“Rediscovering” Classic Style

Many trends are, in fact, revivals of much older style conventions. Neo-Edwardian fashions regained some popularity in the 1960s, thanks to the British influencers like the Teddy Boys and The Avengers–the TV show–not Marvel’s version.

Plush silk ties of the 1980s were intended to be evocative of the 1940s. 1900’s horizontal striped shirts reappeared in the 80s and 90s. One of our personal favorites was when the’ ’70s briefly brought back suiting that copied the styles of the 1930s. Right now, it’s the fuller cuts that seem to be reviving again. After years of seeing overly skinny trends across the board. Hopefully, this time, it’s closer to the 40s and not the 80s.

Classic style elements are often revived as trends, precisely because classic style is so versatile, flattering, and appealing.

Classic style has survived for decades and weathered many changes and trends. So, it makes sense–even if it’s a little ironic, that trend was drawn from classic style. 

Classic style prevents trendsetters from reinventing the wheel, and designers can have an effective canvas to work from when adding their own twist to these established formulas. Sometimes, these experiments even make a breakthrough and improve things for the better.

Believe it or not, we don’t always believe that older is always better.

Some Changes Can Be Good

It’s important to remember that Harrington, leather, safari, and field Jackets were once just trends when incorporated into classic style daywear rather than workwear. But they eventually earned their place in classic style as casual and business casual staples that are now timelessly appealing. Classic doesn’t mean frozen in amber, after all.

On the other hand, that doesn’t mean that everything that’s trendy will stand the test of time. We have a whole series on that idea, after all. But some innovations are genuine improvements over what came before. It’s no different with textiles either, where there’s no denying that suit fabrics have become much softer and much more comfortable than their scratchier predecessors.

And textile companies like Loro Piana are always trying to push for better insulation and protection from the elements with innovations like their Storm System line, leading to changes that improve the functionality of outerwear for all brands. And while not every idea will be a hit that sticks around, the ones that do become undeniably useful for the future of the industry.

At one point even Black Tie was the more casual, trendy version of formal evening wear that was intentionally worn in public by men who wanted to be trendsetters, breaking out of the mold of White Tie. Even though today it is difficult for most people to conceive a way of dressing that is more traditional, formal or established than Black Tie, it was, at one point, a trend. So while there’s a reason why certain items will continue to remain classic, some elements of classic will always be in flux.

Experiment with a Style You Didn’t Know About

How else can trends improve classic style, then? By encouraging experimentation. Trends can inspire you to try something that you wouldn’t otherwise attempt. Consider double monk shoes or Gurkha trousers; two of the trendier items in the past decade in classic menswear. These examples were popularized and pushed as hip items in the classic menswear space because of their particular characteristics.

Monk straps sought to capitalize on the casualization of leather dress shoes, offering footwear that didn’t have stodgy-looking laces but instead elegant, clean lines with visually interesting buckles. Gurkha trousers leverage a unique history and pedigree while being comfortable to wear, uniting the full lines of classic trousers with a plush drape and visually interesting hardware and the more convenient wearing experience typical of casual trousers. Both of these articles broke the mold when it came to some elements of classic style.

But while these trending style variations seemed like gimmicks, the classic style behind them weren’t inherently bad and became perfectly acceptable inclusions in a classic wardrobe. So many of us have come to love these items when we might have never known about them otherwise.

When these colors are used for their own merits and to add appropriate charm to ensembles, they can be worn long after the color is no longer the “it” item and still look great, regardless. 

We’ve even seen felt hats and particular collar styles promoted in pop culture through TV shows and movies, leading to others trying to figure out how they can replicate the look.

Remember when Peaky Blinders had folks experimenting with detachable collars? That trend fizzled fairly quickly because the neckwear-less look with prominent studs was just too blatantly vintage for regular wear of classic-style dressers.

Those who embrace a more period style of dressing, however, such as the vintage gents among us, were able to take this look and run with it, integrating it if they weren’t already doing so into looks that intentionally co-oped older style details.

On vintage gents, this look didn’t look affected or fake because they wore with genuine confidence and interest in vintage conventions. While those who were embracing the trend simply because it was a trend tended to appear forced and out of place. So, now the trend has passed, the gents who like this look have evolved this trend into a statement piece.

Moderate Trends

It is safe to say that the world of fashion over exaggerates things sometimes with cuts that are way too far off from their golden ratios to ever be timelessly appealing. You don’t have to look that far to see them, unfortunately. But some brands play into these trends with restraint and make it their own.

Tom Ford‘s wide lapels are still classic, even though they take heavy inspiration from suiting styles during the 70s. This is because the brand has been very careful to maintain a fine line between timeless appeal while still dabbling with trends of your elements and has found its own unique classic identity within the space because of it.

The massive class of brands that incorporate trends into their classic lineup is Ralph Lauren, which embraced the preppy vibe within both its marketing and clothing lines without becoming a late 80s parody. And they still consistently hold a timeless appeal to this day.

Showing how to walk the fine line between timeless and trendy better than most other fashion houses out there. Moderated versions of trends will often be more useful to you since you can find a flare of personality and cuts that best flatters you without looking like you just came off of an MC Hammer music video.

If you find yourself attracted to a trend but recognize that it is just a bit too flashy for classic style or your personal style, try toning it down.

Let’s imagine an example. What if corduroy trousers with extremely wide ribs, such as two-wale corduroy, suddenly came into fashion? These extremely wide ribs have a bold visual impact, which is typical of trendy attire. But it also makes them appear very dramatic and overly casual, like pajama pants.

Knowing what we know about classic style, we can make an educated guess that two-wale corduroy will not be inducted into the classic style Hall of Fame anytime soon. That doesn’t mean, however, that a more moderate version of this trend, let’s say corduroy trousers and a more conventional 8 to 22 wale, won’t catch on in their own right, essentially piggybacking on the more extreme trend.

So, by applying a little classic style common sense and taking advantage of the natural trend for trends to moderate, you can adopt more nuanced versions of trends and incorporate them into classic style more easily. And who knows, your moderate take on trends could become its own trend in its own right?

Conclusion

Fashion is cyclical, but it still has to come from somewhere, meaning that some trends will align with classic style hallmarks, and you can safely broaden out your own preferences and taste by remembering the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Any trends you’re seeing that you wish would stick around for good? Let us know in the comments!