Classic clothing never goes out of style
“That’s a great retro belt you’re wearing,” a much younger colleague said the other day. If she only knew the truth; the belt is older than she is.
Come to think of it, a lot of my wardrobe has logged more years in the work force than a number of the young folks working down the hall from me.
I face the same challenge many women of a certain age do when getting dressed. I want to look modern and chic, but I also want to wear clothes that are appropriate for a middle-aged career woman. Low-slung pants, cropped tops and anything that exposes my knees (or more) are out of the question. Been there, done that and don’t want to wear it to work.
I’m not saying I never update my clothing or accessories, and I’ve always enjoyed the hunt for the perfect outfit. But somewhere between the return of mini dresses and the advent of thongs, I gradually discovered there wasn’t a lot out there for a woman of a certain age who grew up admiring Jackie Kennedy’s great style and lusting for a Chanel suit.
Rather than forking over my clothing budget on something that’s just too darling for all but the very young and well-toned, it’s back to my basics, especially when it comes to dressing for work.
A dyed-in-the-wool fan of dark colors, I often note that the majority of my clothing is black, with gray and navy running a close second. No matter if I suffer the indignity of spilling coffee or splashing sauce at lunch, basic black never announces the misstep.
When perusing my closet, it appears I have a wardrobe full of dull suits and sensible shoes. No matter. I always have something suitable to wear, even if it’s seen more seasons than “Seinfeld.”
There may be nothing exciting about a navy suit and pumps worn with a white silk blouse and a string of pearls, but at least I know my outfit is appropriate for all but the most frivolous occasions. And I highly doubt I’ll be invited to any heavy metal concerts anytime soon, so no worry there.
There are a few tricks to making clothing last through years of wear. First and foremost is to buy classically constructed outfits. The occasional trendy piece is fine, but it won’t hold its value.
Next is maintenance. Clothes need to go to the cleaners on a regular basis, and a good seamstress is worth her weight in gold thimbles.
And it’s always a good idea to rotate outfits. Sometimes I’ll put a suit away for a couple of years, then haul it back out. Add a new scarf or blouse, and it becomes fresh again.
Of course there is also the case of personal maintenance. Ten pounds can take a woman into an entirely different size range, so maintaining healthy habits pays off in ways salespeople at the local gym would never fathom.
The advice about hanging on to things because they’ll be back in style someday is excellent. So when I uncover something in my closet that may not be the latest, I know I can wait it out. Already leggings and tunics are coming back into fashion. And any day now, I know those big ’80s shoulder pads will be touted as the latest trend.
No matter what the fashion designers claim is the next “in” thing, I know it’s in my closet somewhere.
