Fashion is a fickle beast. Wear the thing that was cool and trendy from one year and you’ll get laughed out of the room the next. And yet, despite the unfeeling and ever-changing nature of the fashion industry, some styles just seem to catch on—and then stay caught on. If you want to invest in a wardrobe that’s impervious to the winds of change, stock up on these timeless trends.
- Chuck Taylors
In 1917, Converse, then a humble footwear company in the Boston suburbs, introduced a basketball shoe to the American public. Five years later, at the behest of an American semi-pro basketball player who had some design ideas, the company tweaked the shoe into, well, pretty much what it is today ($55). That player’s name? Charles “Chuck” Taylor.
- Levis Jeans
They’re indestructible. They’re endlessly versatile. They’re form-flattering on anyone, of any gender, and have been since practically the dawn of recorded history. (Levi Strauss sold his first pair in San Francisco in 1853.) It’s no stretch to say that the Levi 501, the company’s signature fit, is the most timeless pant in history.
- Camel Topcoat
There’s a reason the camel topcoat has survived the fickle tastes of fashion: It works with everything and on everyone. (Indeed, as a color, camel might even be more versatile and match-friendly than white.) Back in the day, they used to be made from literal camel hair, hence the name.
- Aviator Sunglasses
Originally designed in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb to help pilots protect their eyes and maintain their sight while flying (that’s where the name comes from) Aviators eventually became the signature model for Ray-Ban—and the go-to shades for a certain impossible-mission-tackling action star.
- White Shirt
You more than likely have your fair share of t-shirts, ranging from ones sporting your favorite band’s last tour dates to ones that proudly display your pick of beer. But there is something to be said for a timeless white t-shirt. Frankly, everyone should have at least one amazing white tee in their closet that can pair with everything from jeans to suits.
- Tweed
Tweed fabric has been around since the 1830s when a London merchant apparently misread the word “tweel” on a label. It remained a popular material right up until Chanel made it a signature part of their fashion house. Elle explains, “There is nothing quite as iconic as a classic Chanel tweed piece. If you have had the honor of wearing one—a jacket, a dress, a skirt—you know that its texture, its weight, and its very aura are the things magic is made of.”
- Analog Watch
Say what you will about the increasingly popular (and stylish) wearables trend: nothing beats a classic analog watch. Whether you are blowing your bonus on a Rolex or saving up for a Patek Philippe, owning a nice watch is not just about owning a nice watch. It is an investment in your future—and your kids’ future, and their kids’ future. You have an heirloom now.