11 Rules to Master Timeless Style

Wouldn’t you love to look back 20 years from now and actually love the outfits you wore? Some women just exude timeless style, as if they didn’t try but somehow look polished, sophisticated, and chic. That outfit they are wearing would look just as good in a year as it does now, and that is the power of mastering timeless style.

Parisian women, especially, are known for their fluency in timeless style and it doesn’t have to be an impossible goal to master it for yourself.

These women don’t have a natural fashion instinct that makes them superior, but rather they have a set of basic fashion rules they stick with to achieve this effortless and sophisticated look.

What is timeless style?

Timeless style is an elevated classic fashion style that ceases to go out of style or look dated. It consists of elevated basics, sophisticated centerpieces, and streamlined outfits that avoid being identified by a particular fashion trend or fashion decade. It usually consists of moderate scales and silhouettes with balanced points of interests.

How can I get timeless style?

Timeless style is mastered by creating a foundational wardrobe of classic silhouettes that have versatility and longevity. It stresses signature pieces over fads and usually embraces a clean makeup/hairstyle with limited accessories. Focus on building a closet that fits your body type, is neutral-colored, and has classic silhouettes.

11+ Tips To Master Timeless Style

1. Invest in great basics

Timeless style is all about having a flexible wardrobe that speaks to your style goals and owning great basics is essential to this.

You need a foundation of fashion pieces that can be easily mixed and matched and will not look run down or out of style in a year.

We may earn a commission from you clicking a link below. And as an amazon associate, we earn on qualifying purchases. Full affiliate policy, here.

Part of mastering this sophisticated look is about wardrobe flexibility. You need those great staples to add easy chicness to any outfit.

Must-have wardrobe staples for timeless style:

Wool Coat – I love a great camel wool coat for winter
Crewneck cashmere sweater in a neutral color
A classic white button up- I own both a fitted shirt and an oversized one in my closet
Wide Leg Trousers- These are flattering for most body shapes and never go out of style. I prefer a medium-weight fabric like light wool, tweed, gabardine, or linen for summer.
Jeans- neutral wash with no rips or wear marks. I love a charcoal gray slim (not skinny) fit for my most flexible jeans. My favorite sustainable brand jeans are these.
Turtleneck- Audrey Hepburn was onto something! Turtlenecks are an easy and sophisticated layering piece
A great t-shirt- A flattering t-shirt that is not see-through is essential for timeless style. I prefer a slightly boxier cut, like this one.
Simple gold hoops- Hoop earrings never go out of style and are a great flexible jewelry staple. Be sure to size them correctly, we don’t want large hoops or huggies. These are my favorite.
Silhouettes that easily match your body type

Now, there are certainly other wardrobe staples you will need for timeless style, but some of those pieces will depend on your lifestyle needs. For instance, as a Mom you might opt for a loafer or classic white sneaker as your go-to shoe instead of a pointy heel.

2. Avoid Fast Fashion

I understand the purpose of fast fashion. But for timeless style, you will want to invest a bit more into your wardrobe and clothing.

Fast fashion, typically, does not have longevity and often lacks proper fit. And while that is fine for a trend that will be out of style in 3 months, we are aiming to have a closet full of long-lasting items that fit us perfectly.

You don’t have to go bespoke, but you should be devoting a bit more money to your pieces so that they last and they fit you flawlessly. Long term this is the best strategy for timeless and sustainable style.

If you struggle with bad shopping habits, check out my podcast episode on how to improve your shopping strategies so you don’t fall victim to impulse purchases:

3. Pay attention to fit

The easiest way to date an outfit is poor fit and silhouette. If you have a sloppy silhouette or items that don’t fit you well, the outfit will be a failure. And it certainly won’t be something you should wear again.

Your outfit needs to be balanced. While oversized and fitted pieces waft and wane in popularity, a great outfit will feel balanced.

In the below outfit, you can see that I pull for two different fit categories so the outfit feels “right”. The sweater is fitted and tucked in fully, while the pants are wide-leg and loose. The monochrome helps elevate the style as well, to create a more timeless outfit

Too many oversized items, or conversely, too many fitted pieces will end up dating any outfit to a specific year, and we want to avoid that.

4. Limit focus on trends

Most trends have roots in fashion history, however, they also change and evolve each time they are re-introduced. So, if you want a timeless wardrobe it is best to limit your exploration of trends.

If you try too many trends and are inexperienced in your style, you will end up with a closet of mismatched pieces that won’t be very versatile over time.

That being said, an easier way to integrate a trend into timeless style is to take a moderate version of the trend, and ideally a neutral-colored version of it.

For instance, if you love the boxy blazer trend but are worried about its longevity, opt for a tan or black boxy blazer instead of a print or neon-colored version. And pair it will some elevated basics to keep it more timeless.

You can see below how the boxy blazer can be styled both with a timeless fashion look and with a trendy approach.

Also, opting for a neutral-colored version of a trend is an easier way to make it less dated as time goes on, or in hindsight. For instance, knit tops are very popular right now, but the monochromatic white outfit maintains its sophistication and won’t look overly dated in a few years.

4. Recognize what works for your body

Knowing your body shape is a huge factor in timeless style. Trying to force your hourglass shape into a dress best suited for rectangular bodies is a recipe for ill-fitting clothes and unflattering proportions.

If you need assistance dressing for your body shape, this post will help. Or you can explore the Kibbe Style System for a more holistic view of your style lines.

Dressing for your shape is what allows your clothes to look easy and “made for you”- all of which in the larger picture will help you master timeless fashion.

This also helps with your confidence and your relationship with clothes, which will be key if you want to continue to improve your fashion sense.

Once you have a handle on your body shape, consider exploring the 4 pillars of good outfits so that you can repeat your success for every outfit in your daily lifestyle.

5. Start to have an outfit Rolodex

Having a few killer outfits in your back pocket is a great way to combat any fashion frustration or fatigue.

This should be a two-part system. You should have a pinterest or mood board of outfits you like and are inspired by. Especially, any outfit you like and already have the pieces for in your closet.

The second part is to start snapping pics of outfits (ie, daily outfit photos) you love on yourself. Save these images in your phone and it will be a great reference point. When you need a great outfit you can peruse this album and this practice will also help you evolve and improve these go-to fits.

Consider developing a style statement as well, so that you have a style mantra that applies to all outfits and can guide your personal aesthetics.

6. Streamline the Accessories

Statement jewelry, loud handbags, or super-trend shoes should all be avoided for timeless style. I’m not saying you can NEVER wear these items, but the majority of your wardrobe and closet should be pieces that won’t feel dated in a year.

Having a few, high-quality accessories like a watch, a pair of gold hoops, a simple gold link necklace, and a black handbag will be much more impactful for your sophisticated style goals. Plus, they can become your signature pieces which will instantly improve your style.

This doesn’t mean you can’t choose bolder pieces, but they should all feel in line with your signature style and create a harmonious look. If you stick with shapes and materials that have more longevity, bolder pieces can be seamlessly integrated. The above photo is a great example of this.

7. Know your dominant fashion style

So timeless style is often linked to classic and minimalist fashion styles. However, it is good to know what styles you tend to gravitate towards most so that you can evolve your personal preferences to be more timeless. Because, first and foremost, your fashion is about you.

If you don’t know your dominant fashion style, take this free style quiz (no email sign-up required) to figure it out.

8. Keep a neutral palette

Colors come in and go out, just ask Pantone, whose job it is to decide such things. The easiest way to exude a timeless look is keep your wardrobe more neutral-based.

This means opting for blacks, navy, tan, whites, and simple prints. While you can add some color to your looks I find it best to keep the color to a secondary piece in the outfit.

Decades often get assigned certain color palettes, which is why neutrals have such longevity. Just think about the 70s and how greens, oranges, and browns come to mind. Or the 2000s when bubblegum pink, neon, and black and white were all the rage.

If you prefer to wear colors outside of traditional neutral colors, consider determining your seasonal color palette and using that instead. This allows you to shine and create a cohesive wardrobe.

9. Classic Outerwear Silhouettes

A great coat can make an outfit. Coat silhouettes like the trench, the wrap coat and the box jacket are all great examples of timeless outerwear.

These simple layering pieces add depth to an outfit and help it feel more complete. They have also stood the test of time and have the fashion seal of approval from every classic style icon.

10. Pay attention to the details of a look

The details of an outfit down to styling techniques like the French tuck, and the style of shoes you wear, can make or break an outfit.

Timeless fashion always feels complete. It’s not overly done or lacking. And the reason it is so successful (besides all the things we mentioned above) is that the outfits are “done”.

Don’t be afraid to throw a sweater on over your shoulders, try a French tuck, add a simple crossbody, or slick back your hair. All of the details, down to your makeup and hair will help you achieve sophisticated easiness.

We also want to pay attention to the scale of our outfits. We generally don’t want any one thing to “pull focus”. So opt for moderate-scale accessories, prints, and silhouettes to keep a more cohesive and timeless appearance. If you go bolder in one area, it’s best to lean into that look so it continues to feel at an equilibrium.

11. Hair and Makeup

Timeless hair and makeup are usually more classic essence leaning. It tends to stay in the moderate range. We aren’t leaning into huge curls and volume, but we aren’t doing pin-straight hair.

Embracing your natural hair with a bit more polish is usually the way to go. So if you have naturally curly hair, you opt for the curly girl method and keep your hair looking bouncy and fresh. If you have natural waves, you polish them up with simple heat styling techniques like using the airwrap.

Makeup should also be more in the moderate range. Touching up your face and making your features shine is fantastic but too much makeup can more easily “date” a look, which is the opposite of achieving timeless style. We want to be able to look back on our photos and think “wow, that look was great!”.

12. Avoid too much slouch

Slouchy details can be fun, but they are usually more prevalent in the faster fashion trends. So avoid silhouettes that are too relaxed, or that don’t have any structure to them.

For instance, slouchy bags, slouchy cardigans, and relaxed coats can look un-polished and can date your outfit easily. For instance, waterfall cardigans were big 10 years ago, but they aren’t around anymore… However, a classic cardigan still remains stylish, despite the decades that pass.

Athleisure pieces can be used sparingly and should be used in more classic silhouettes. Opt for a crew neck sweatshirt in a neutral color, instead of the graphic hoodie.

We all want to have a timeless style that will speak for years to come. A fashion sense that will continue to serve us in family photos, in the work environment, and even during the holidays.

Timeless style makes you appear put-together and confident, and can drastically help you with your relationship with your closet.

Now, go put together sophisticated, effortless looks that exude a timeless approach and will be fawned over in 20 years.

Pin the below image because this advice will serve you for YEARS to come: