We all have this idea that fashion is ephemeral. And in some regards it absolutely is. We buy something that catches our eye in a magazine, in a store, on style.com, we wear it a few times, and then it goes into fashion purgatory never to be worn again. Or never to be worn until it gains some vintage cred or stages a comeback a decade later.
But when I was working at Barneys I knew I would be spending a large proportion of my disposable income on clothes, and I wanted to be smart about it. If I was going to splurge, it had to be on things I would wear for a long time, not just a season. And so I trained my eyes to look for classic pieces. And suddenly I saw them everywhere – a perfect army green safari jacket at Givenchy, a navy crew neck sweater at Celine, a black wool a-line skirt at Alaia, brown leather jodhpur boots at Balenciaga. Eighteen months later, I still wear nearly every single piece of clothing I bought during that time, despite living on a farm in the middle of the English countryside.
In fact, this method of buying great quality classic pieces made by the world’s best designers has stuck with me. When I look at runway shows, or fashion magazines, or racks of clothes in boutiques now, my eye starts scanning right away for the timeless pieces in the collection. I tend to skip right over the prints and the ruffles, and look for that perfectly simple piece that will last a lifetime.
I like the sofia's style
Love your blog Amanda- especially the bits about your new life in the country. Now…where was that cream shirt from that you were photographed in? Is it Celine?
The cream blouse is made by Olatz and you can get it at Barneys. xx
All the photos are wonderful, yours too, one of the best, but the clothes and settting Tonne and Grace made me feel as though I were there, soul sister, er I mean soeur d'ame
Love this.. I am all about timeless style ( Although I like to dapple in the fun and outlandish designs every now and then 😉
xo – JJ
http://goldengilt.blogspot.com/
Perfectly written and explained. I agree, well chosen classic pieces will forever be timeless. I too have recently discovered this.
Thank you for sharing.
You are so right, nothing highlights the beauty and the personality if a woman that her own but classic style. And these women with an understated style look much smarter and accomplished than the overdressed crowd at every fashion week!
Agree with you about Sofia Coppola – she's a wonderful dresser!
Wonderful images. You are so right!
Hi Amanda, I completely agree. Though I can't afford to shop top, top designers I do try and look for classic pieces. I'm still kicking myself
when this past summer I was in my local vintage shop and I saw the lovliest wool skirt. Classic.Perfect for fall. Upon inspection I saw that it was a Missoni with a Made in Italy tab. $15.00. I passed and then thought the better of it only to return the next day and it was gone. On the upside I bought a beautiful Ralph Lauren suit 15 years ago (grey wool/cashmere) that cost me $1000.00 at the time (A FORTUNE to me!) Every winter when I have occasion to wear it, I get the most wonderful compliments. I feel so confident when I wear it ! Even my son looks and says "Wow, you look great ". And… I take very good care of it.
That is exactly what I'm trying to do. There's no point in buying hundreds of clothes as I see that I tend to wear the same classic pieces over and over again. I only buy clothes four times a year and I make sure to buy only timeless pieces and not trendy ones.
Hi Amanda. This is interesting. From what I've read and seen pictures of you so far, you seem to really experiment with fashion and not really play it safe. You look great in everything though but i didnt think you would gravitate towards just the classic pieces.
Can you please provide us with who made the white shirt with blacking piping.
Thanks!
It's the silk pyjama blouse by Olatz. You can get it at Barneys. xx
I love your book – always recommend it, and I love your voice and sense of style. I am a Tomboy Classic and I agree, classic clothes endure — $$$ well spent.