Timeless vs. Classic

3 looks that will never go out of style. pic.twitter.com/C84mYfT8R4

— Pedro Mendes (@TheHogtownRake) June 4, 2015

Last summer, a prominent men’s fashion magazine tweeted something about “must-have timeless looks” that “won’t ever go out of style”. I tweeted back the above pictures. You will never, I hope, see me use the word “timeless.” I am all for investing in quality, which partially demands garments that are not trendy so that they won’t go out of fashion in a few years. To do this we must be moderate in our choices. But it is a fallacy that we can find items that are “timeless.” Everything is of a time and we cannot avoid that. However, if we want a wardrobe that is somewhat permanent (at least for the next couple of decades), the best we can do is avoid being too much of our time.

While working on a book about the history of Canada’s oldest custom tailor, Walter Beauchamp, I found a series of design books from the late 70s. They are filled with looks which, at the time, I’m sure were considered “timeless.” These outfits were conservative but looking at them today, they all have hallmarks of another era. Downward slanting low gorges, long jackets with large pocket flaps and bold accessories.

However, there is something subtle in these designs that does last until today. And it’s defined by a term that I use a lot: “classic.” These are features that have stood the test of time (but only the last century or so) and remain a part of men’s style today. These include combinations like contrasting sport jackets and trousers; colours like grey and brown for two or three piece suits; or the elegant shape of a double breasted blazer.

And that is why some of these designs could work today, though modified. And that is key: the modifications (pocket sizes, button styles, accessories) are of the time. The deeper sense of style, the foundation from which you are working, those are classic.

But they are not timeless.