Classic?

OldGoat

I have a question to ask. I've frequently seen references to 'Classic' dresses but what IS a classic? What makes a classic? How is classic defined? Is every little black dress a classic or just some of them?
In a mans suit a classic is one that does not kowtow to passing fashion trends and styles but is still never seen out of place. It's a suit you can wear with confidence at any time and know it look well, year after year after year.
Is it the same for a dress? Is there a classic that still looks hot year after year after year?

Dinkie

To me a classic dress is one in a neutral colour, so the colour does not go out of fashion.

It is also a fairly neutral style - not too short, not too long, and a style versatile enough to wear to numerous different events (work, dinner, etc) by just adding accessories, changing shoes etc,.

My classic dress is a navy pinafore dress I have (v-neck). I wear it with a shirt under it for work, have worn it on first dates, to a wedding (added a ribbon belt and jewellery) and have even worn it to a funeral. I have had it for years and it has never gone out of fashion.

I keep meaning to get the style copied and another one made in a different colour!

insert-gear

Classic to me would be a dress who's tailoring/colour never goes out of style and doesnt have any "trendy" features. Dresses in 40's/50's styles always seem to pop up again and again and in my mind they had the most elegant cuts.

Simple bandeau dresses and prom dresses also never seem to go out.

Novella

A classic imo is yeah, pretty much a dress that isn't a fleeting fashion trend. It won't be covered in multi-coloured sequins, it won't be floral or have big shoulders etc. All of these things come and go. Black and neutral colours are never going to be out of fashion, although the nude palette is having a bit of a 'cool' revival atm.

Something simple is usually a winner in my book. I have two little black dresses. One is just so plain but fits like a glove, great shape, really well made. The other has a really low back but is all covered up at the front, no cleavage on show. With both of them you can change how they look with shoes and accessories so that's why I call them classics. They're not wear once dresses and then throw them in the back of the wardrobe. These can do day wear, transform to night wear, be casual, be dressy, they're everything dresses, a staple.

Stella777

My deifnition would be clothing that you could imagine people like Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O., Steve Mcqueen, Sophia Loren etc wearing back in the day, but could also be worn by someone today without looking dated.

chocgirl

I think "classic" refers to something stylish but independent of fashion.

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chocgirl wrote: »

I think "classic" refers to something stylish but independent of fashion.

i agree, there is a difference between stylish and fashionable.
i bought a burberry mac in black a couple of weeks ago.
i was happy to spend the money on it because i think it's a classic and even iconic piece of mens clothing that will stand the test of time.