Timeless Over Trendy: Which One To Choose
We’ve all been there: staring at that trending piece that’s dominating your feed, wondering if it’s actually your vibe — or if you’ll cringe at it next season.
Trends take over the market, and once they’re there, it’s hard to look away.
In this blog, we’ll explore the difference between trendy and timeless fashion to help you make your style choice!
Trendy vs. Timeless: What’s the Difference, Really?
Let’s clear this up from the get-go.
Trends are typically fast. They pop up, dominate your feed, and vanish just as quickly. One minute it's the hottest item on the market, and everyone is rocking them out and about, and the next minute, it’s crumpled up in the back of your wardrobe, because no one is wearing them any more.
Timeless style, on the other hand, doesn’t rely on algorithms to stay relevant. It’s slow fashion at its finest — tailored silhouettes, classic shapes, neutral tones, and well-made pieces that outlive hashtags. You won’t need to explain them in five years — they’ll still make sense.
Trends That Have Become Timeless
Before we completely bash trends, let's acknowledge that some items actually have become timeless pieces that never go out of fashion.
Denim Jackets
For example, denim jackets. These first hit the scene in the 1800s as a rugged outer layer for American workers.
Fast forward to the 1950s, the denim jacket became the signature look of Hollywood's Bad Boys, as these were often worn over plain white t-shirts.
Then by the 1970s and 1980s, we saw various subcultures adapting this jacket to suit their style. From punk rock inspired denim jackets to hip hop and streetwear styles.
Striped Breton Tops
The Striped Breton Top is another fantastic example, as it was first introduced as French naval uniforms in the 1850s.
However, thanks in part to Coco Chanel’s 1917 nautical collection, this look soon became one of aspiration rather than occupation. Of course, with the help of fashion editors and Hollywood stars, this fashion piece soon became a staple in everyone's wardrobe.
Penny Loafers
Now, this one is quite ironic! Because, well, it is the very foundation of G.H.BASS. But penny loafers were also a trend once.
In 1936, G.H. Bass introduced the Weejun, inspired by a slip-on shoe style worn by Norwegian farmers. These shoes were smart, sturdy, and easy to wear — and they quickly caught on in America, especially among Ivy League students who dubbed them “penny loafers” after slipping a coin into the slot of the strap (supposedly to use for emergency payphone calls).
By the 1950s and 60s, penny loafers became part of the preppy uniform — worn sockless with chinos and button-downs, or sharply with suits.
Today, loafers are widely worn by people from all walks of life and all fashion styles. Prep, whimsical, academic, corporate - all enjoy the ease of a loafer, and its ability to be dressed both up and down.
The Key To Making The Choice Between Trendy & Timeless
As you can probably tell at this point, there is no right or wrong answer. It’s up to personal preference.
Ideally, it’s always good to avoid waste - and this is a common occurrence with fleeting trends, that encourage you to panic buy items merely just to fit in with the ‘in crowd’; only for those items to end up collecting dust at the back of your closet, a few months later.
But some trends do have the potential of turning into timeless pieces.
Here’s our open, honest advice: If it makes you feel confident and good, then yes, go for it! But, if you’re doing it just because it’s a trend, then we’d say give it a miss.
In the end, your wardrobe should feel timeless to you, not because it follows a rulebook, but because it reflects your personal style with staying power.
Stuck On Where to Begin?
How about with a pair of timeless G.H.BASS loafers? They worked for icons like Michael Jackson, James Dean, and countless others who understood the power of effortless style, and we’re certain they’ll work for you too.
Because when you start with timeless, everything else falls into place.
