Tank Top | T-shirt | Denim Shirt | White Blouse | Button Up | Green Sweater | Brown Sweater | Cardigan | Vest | Blazer | Blue Jeans | Black Jeans | Navy Trousers | Tan Trousers | Skirt | Dress | Trench | Earrings | Necklace | Sunglasses | Gold Handbag | Black Handbag | Tote | Boots | Mary Janes | Ballet Flats | Loafers | Sneakers
Every time I have done a “what is my style” type of test my ranking was always highest in the classic category. This always baffled me because I never considered my wardrobe classic.
I always viewed classic style as rich women in trousers, cashmere, Chanel, and pearls. I always thought mine was maybe edgier or slightly outside the box, nothing like my preconceived ideas of what a classic is.
We’ll get into what trying to fit yourself into one category is bad for your personal style later.
These preconceived ideas of what different categories are would really box us into specific looks, which we actually want to avoid.
But then over the last few years when I really started digging deeper into style and took the fashion styling program, I started to make connections.
These connections were that at the root of my style, I am drawn to classic styles because of their versatility and longevity.
These are pieces that stay the same for years with minor changes in proportion or silhouettes but nothing that can’t be paired with other pieces to modernize them.
That is why I always got classic.
Because I was selecting things for my wardrobe that I was not only drawn to, but I knew were pieces that weren’t going to age or trend out of my closet in a season or two.
Then I saw Amy Smilovic talking about her style and her adjectives of chill, classic, and modern, and I started making connections.
Her style was anything but classic, or the preconceived idea of what I always though classic was, but when you really dug deep, you could see it.
It was when she paired it with her other two adjectives that it truly changed to become hers.
And this is where I will reiterate why understanding your style and nailing down your style adjectives is so important.
It is understanding who you are because if I am being honest, style is a very big part of our personality.
When we flounder in this area we feel uncomfortable, unconfident, and often we feel lost.
So lost that it can be exhausting and confusing in how to begin even finding ourselves again. We get into ruts and find ourselves with a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear.
It is the same few pieces worn every day like a uniform, except without intention that someone who truly understands their style uses if they have their own uniform.
Classic style is a timeless fashion that emphasizes simple, clean lines, and understated elegance.
It is usually characterized by neutral colours such as black, white, navy, and beige, and timeless patterns such as stripes, plaids, and polka dots.
Classic style is focused on quality over quantity, with high-quality fabrics.
The key pieces in a classic wardrobe are blazers, trench coats, shift dresses, collared shirts, and high-quality denim.
Accessories are minimal in their style.
This is the root of a classic wardrobe and if you don’t have style adjectives and just classified yourself as a classic style, this is what your wardrobe would mainly consist of.
Those pieces and elements can fit into any wardrobe and when you add on the other style words you start to see it build into something more.
I added some colour, and some edgier shoe and handbag selections to modernize this traditional style.
It doesn’t take much to notice a difference. It just takes you making your wardrobe choices with intention.
Think about each piece.
How it makes you feel is number one. Then think about how it will integrate into your wardrobe and a minimum of 3-5 different ways that you can wear it before you purchase it.
This cuts down on impulse purchases and bringing in items that are one and done pieces.
One and done are items that don’t have versatility. You may love them and want them, but you have no idea how to wear them or integrate them into your wardrobe.
With practice, recognizing items that will work in your wardrobe will become second nature.
You will notice that you have fewer clothes but an abundance of things to wear. Your confidence will increase, and getting dressed will become easy.
I want you to feel good, confident, and comfortable with your style. I want you to get excited when you get dressed and come up with new ways to wear things.
And most of all, I want you to know who you are, what your style is, and be happy with the end result.
Modern Classic Outfit Ideas
Tank Top | T-shirt | Denim Shirt | White Blouse | Button Up | Green Sweater | Brown Sweater | Cardigan | Vest | Blazer | Blue Jeans | Black Jeans | Navy Trousers | Tan Trousers | Skirt | Dress | Trench | Earrings | Necklace | Sunglasses | Gold Handbag | Black Handbag | Tote | Boots | Mary Janes | Ballet Flats | Loafers | Sneakers
You might also like:
An 80s Inspired Capsule Wardrobe
Using Your Style Adjectives to Build a Spring Capsule Wardrobe
The Ultimate Spring Capsule Wardrobe and Spring Outfit Ideas
A Spring Capsule Wardrobe on a Budget
A Romantic Capsule Wardrobe for Spring
The Modern 90s Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe for Spring
An Edgy Spring Capsule Wardrobe With Style Adjectives
An Easy Spring Capsule Wardrobe with Some Spring Outfit Ideas
The New Year Wardrobe Overhaul and a Transitional Capsule Wardrobe
The Art of Dressing Like Yourself: A Personalized Capsule Wardrobe
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sara, you have such a way with words to break down these kinds of details. it’s overwhelming when you realize just how many factors can come into play when you’re sorting through your personal style journey. i also appreciate the time you take to put outfits together to show examples of what you’re talking through with us. for me, i’m stuck at the point that i can look at what i’ve saved on pinterest and see a very clear theme. but when it comes to actually sourcing those items myself, or trying to go through my closet and see if i already have something that will work, that’s where i’m coming up short. i’m either drawn to something like a ridiculously priced sweater from the row, or it sends my head spinning trying to sort through the options online at places like & other stories or zara, since we don’t have either of those stores as a b&m option near us. i feel this frustration moreso when i’m trying to plan out my packing lists for travel, but i know i’ll get it together eventually with your guidance!
Thank you! I think people underestimate how hard it really is, and how much style is tied to your identity. This is something that is so much easier to manoeuvre when you are wealthy because you can afford to make style mistakes and take a gamble on items. Plus, the more expensive pieces like The Row are so much easier to source out because all of their pieces are quality. When you are shopping with a much smaller budget you have to really search for gems in the overwhelming amount of lower quality pieces. That makes it doubly frustrating. That’s why they say money can make you fashionable but style is in your DNA. It’s a life long process so there is no rush.