The False Choice of “Timeless vs. Trendy”
It’s an old debate, but one that seems to have *really* kicked up a notch on TikTok lately: is it trendy or timeless?
The underlying assumption of this debate is that items deemed as “timeless” will always feel wearable and relevant, regardless of who you are or where you live. They’re not just smart purchases, but even virtuous ones.
And it is SO easy to get sucked into these videos, watching so that I can feel smug about my very, very smart and practical purchase of a “timeless” trench coat and silently judge anonymous others for their silly “trendy” purchases that’ll surely be pushed to the back of the closet by next season.
And look, I love the idea of putting things in boxes. It makes life feel so neat and easy.
But, there are two huge issues (IMO) with this breathless categorization.
The first - as I’ve seen some others point out - is that there’s a strong argument to be made that no single garment can be timeless at all! Everything to some degree is a trend. Sure, there may be certain categories of items that some version of is always in style. Let’s use the trench coat as an example.
I was told in the mid-2010s that THIS trench coat was utterly and completely “timeless” (millennials remember!). Cropped, with a very slim silhouette and tight inset shoulders.
But compare this to the trench coat that is in-trend less than 10 years (!) later: long, oversized, and with dropped shoulders.
(and, thank you to OG blogger Fashion Jackson for having a rich archive so we can trace trench coat trends through time, even on the same person!).
Do you see what I mean? COMPLETELY different! “Trench coats” as a category might be somewhat timeless in that there is always some version of a trench coat being sold in stores. But any individual trench coat you buy inevitably has some trend-based elements baked in that will come “in” and “out” of mainstream favor.
You might try to argue that this was just an anomaly. What we considered “fashion” in the 2010s was BAD, and thankfully we have since been enlightened. Whereas the tailored girl-boss aesthetic of the 2010s was trendy, the oversized clean-girl aesthetic of today is timeless.
But like…how are you so sure? I assure you that our impulse was to say the same thing looking back on the 2000s from the perspective of the 2010s, and in the 2000s looking back on the 90s, etc. Rinse and repeat, that’s capital-F FASHION baby!!!
So, what’s a girl to do!?
Well, the answer comes back to my second issue with the “timeless vs. trendy” debate, which is that we attempt to assign these as objective descriptions innate to the item. That any item can only be timeless OR trendy regardless of the owner.
This simplification is of course required by the format of social media content. It’s impossible to give truly personalized advice when the video needs to appeal broadly to thousands or millions of viewers. The “trendy vs. timeless” video is just another iteration of the “capsule wardrobe checklist”: one-size-fits-all advice that doesn’t end up helping any one person all that much.
(As a media literacy-driven aside: WHY does the binary “timeless vs. trendy” question feel so incredibly prevalent on social media? Because it drives debate. Everyone can have an opinion on whether skinny jeans are “trendy or timeless” and feel outraged at anyone with the opposite idea. And as we all know, the algorithm is fed on engagement. But, this is one of many places where social media can lead us astray: just because it’s a *polarizing* question doesn’t mean it’s a particularly *insightful* one.)
The truth is that whether an item is timeless or trendy is something that you decide for yourself.
Any kind of “timeless” trench coat might be a trend in your closet because it’s not something that vibes with your personal style long-term. Conversely, maybe you end up wearing your “trendy” Adidas Sambas into the literal ground (and, even re-purchasing again and again!) because YOU make them a signature and love wearing them even after everyone else moves on.
Don’t get me wrong: I DO think it’s worth trying to evaluate “timeless vs. trendy” before you purchase. It’s always helpful to be aware of any item’s intended role before plunking down your cash and making space in your closet. It just has to be an evaluation that is unique to you.
Realistically, this makes it more of an odds game than a sure thing. And, you’ll almost certainly overestimate what time will reveal to be truly “timeless” for you. That’s okay. It’s still worth considering.
Here are a few prompting questions I’ve found helpful to ask when considering my own version of “timeless vs. trendy”:
To gut-check the source of your desire:
Do I like the item itself, or do I like what’s *around* the item? e.g., maybe I’m just attracted to the model’s vibe or the visual aesthetics of the marketing campaign
If everyone owned this item, would I still want it? Because in the case of a mass market trend, it very well could happen!
To evaluate its usefulness to you and your closet:
Does this item offer a helpful tool to create balance and/or friction in my outfits?
Do I find this item easy to style with my other core pieces or does it always make itself “the problem” to solve? This is SO important!!! Problems rarely stick around for the long haul
Could I achieve the same feeling of relevance by styling something I already have in a new way? If so, maybe you don’t need the new piece at all!
(hint: I find using my digital closet particularly helpful at this stage, trying out different outfit combinations to answer these questions).
To (attempt to!) predict its long-term resonance with you as a person:
Are there elements of this item that are core to my personal style or identity? How does it tell a consistent story with the other “timeless” pieces in my closet?
Would I enjoy being “known for” wearing this piece as a signature? When I’m 50? 80? 100?
Am I willing to commit to re-styling this item with future trends to maintain its relevance?
That last question is ultimately what it all comes down to. Every item will move in and out of mainstream trend. So, do you love it enough to rock it even when its details are “out”? You don’t need to commit to wearing a full-on 2024 outfit in 2034. But, styled with other 2034 pieces, that 2024 trench coat will probably give your look more personality (and, you more joy!) than a full-on 2034 get-up.
Want to consider “timeless vs. trendy” in the context of your own closet? Download the Indyx app for free on iOS or Android to get started.
Devon is a co-founder of Indyx and currently leads Growth for the company from San Francisco. She enjoys admiring other people’s gardens and sleeping in with her French Bulldog, Reggie.
