If you decide to invest in quality, you can now – in the sale – make your move. Look for clothing that you can wear for a longer time and let yourself be inspired by this list of looks that have proven to be timeless for decades.
the Ladylike Look
Thanks to
Dior, who launched the New Look in 1947 with features like a super-slim waist and a wide circle skirt. Style icons like Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy were examples of good taste, and through them, this look became the norm for well-dressed women.
Why is this look timeless?
The wide skirt camouflages wide hips and accentuates the waist. This creates the ideal hourglass silhouette. You highlight your sexy features in a simple way that is never over the top.
How to wear it now?
To avoid this look appearing too feminine, opt for a skirt with an abstract pattern this season. Of course, the top you wear above should fit nicely on your body. Dresses in this silhouette are plentiful this summer in beautiful floral patterns. Just make sure that the skirt length is always just at or over the knee. Shoes are flat, think of ballerinas or an open sandal. As for jewelry, I personally prefer simple vintage earrings.
Wild animal prints
Thanks to
The Europeans who brought back the skins of leopards, snakes, tigers, and zebras in the 18th century after they began colonizing Asia and Africa. Those exotic patterns were quickly adopted on fabrics for clothing and interiors.
Why do these prints keep coming back?
The basis of these prints consists of neutral colors like black, white, and beige-brown shades. This makes it easy to combine and also seasonless. An animal print can give your look that little extra, but watch out for the Nel Veerman effect. Too much is really a serious fashion faux pas! If in doubt, limit yourself to pumps or a bag that can be just as eye-catching.
How to wear it now?
This season, animal prints are more graphic or enlarged. (DvF). Cavalli gives the print a new impulse by adding color. Dolce & Gabbana have been loyal to the most original versions of tiger and leopard prints that you see in almost every collection. Tip: keep the rest of your clothing and accessories a bit simple when wearing an animal print.
the Boyfriend look
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Madame Coco Chanel, who made trousers for women popular in the 1920s. She also introduced clothing with more comfort by using fabrics like jersey and knits. Women could look beautiful and still move easily, a revolution in fashion history. No one, besides Coco herself, embodied the tomboy look like actress Katharine Hepburn, who was seen as a pioneer around 1930. In 1977, Diane Keaton set a trend with the clothing she wore in Woody Allen's Annie Hall: the men's vest, wide chinos, and the white shirt. In the 1970s, singer Patti Smith added a bit of rugged rock ’n roll and became the inspiration for Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester.
Why does this look remain a classic?
Clothing influenced by men's fashion is often considered extra sexy. It’s a look that can be worn a bit safely if you have a job where you need to look presentable, but you also look great in boyfriend jeans for a casual look. The main reason is that you can move comfortably in this clothing.
How to wear it now:
Besides the boyfriend jeans model, the jackets and trousers – just like in men's fashion – should fit slim, à la Jort Kelder. If you prefer wide trousers, choose a quality that falls nicely and can be extra wide. Ensure enough feminine accents with extra high heels and beautiful jewelry. For a night out, a tuxedo jacket and narrow trousers with a tie print is an unexpectedly chic yet comfy combo.
Floral prints
How it started:
With Mother Nature, boring but true. Floral and decorative patterns go far back in history: one of the first expressions of printed flowers on clothing can be seen in Japanese kimonos around 794, which depicted blooming branches. On the lifelike paintings of old masters like the painter Ingre (around 1850), you can see which floral patterns were worn back then.
Why do floral patterns keep coming back?
A flower is considered a symbol of femininity. There are countless interpretations suitable for different tastes: from romantic pastels with watercolor petals to abstract full-on flower power, as worn by 1960s model and It girl Jean Shrimpton.
How to wear it now:
With so many types of floral prints, it’s important to choose a pattern that fits your taste and style. Floral patterns can vary from graceful and delicate to large and bold, from realistic to abstract, each with its own personality and character. Once you’ve chosen a print, combine colors that also appear in the pattern to create a cohesive look.
Military Look
Where and when it started:
During World War II. Civilians, even ladies, wore trench coats (the trench coat that was prescribed in England by the government for British officers but later appeared in other countries and in other variations) as everyday outerwear. In the Vietnam era, youth emerging from the anti-war movement wore camouflage prints, military jackets, and cargo pants as symbols of protest. It didn't take long for the fashion elite, like then-top model Lauren Hutton, to embrace this sporty look.
Why this look keeps coming back:
First and foremost, it is comfortable and functional. Like the menswear look, it has a tough androgynous appearance. The somewhat muddy color army green has proven to be a classic that can always be combined with surprising colors (for example, with pink, mustard, or turquoise).
How to wear it now:
Remember: it’s an outfit, not a uniform. Look especially for clothing with military details like cargo pockets, epaulettes, and emblems like Boy Scout badges. Avoid too much at once.
