“Timeless” Fashion: Historical Treasures or Marketing Myth?
From the early-2000s dress-over-jeans look to today’s bubble skirts, fashion trends evolve over time. Looking back at some styles has us questioning our judgment (yikes), but others are so compelling they make us wonder how they ever faded away. Amongst all these passing trends, both present and past, do some garments stay relevant forever? In other words, does timeless fashion really exist? To get some insight on whether any garments truly stand the test of time, we spoke with established vintage archivist and designer Raiden Francis of TheRaidenCo.
So, is timeless fashion a concept rooted in historical evidence, or nothing more than a term used in marketing to give products a mysterious allure? According to Raiden, it’s actually a bit of both. “Most [timeless] garments are reflected by their time and how important they were at that moment. For instance: Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire in 1951 with his white tee. I think of how important that white tee was right after that movie for the new male image. Before that time, it was an undergarment used strictly for necessity. After it was marketed by Hollywood, it was shown that this garment could be used to be more of an allure for sexuality. It was now an outfit,” he says.
“A garment needs to live within a moment in order to be branded and then marketed to masses afterwards.”
While the white tee may have initially appealed to male audiences, the allure of this unassuming shirt eventually captured the attention of everyone. Today, everyone has one in their closet. Don’t you? “Two pieces that I've always thought of as timeless are blue jeans, white shirt. It’s so simple. The relevancy still amazes me. No matter how much the industry changes, a blue jean and a white t-shirt will always be there in our closet. Any type of class or any type of geographic background, you have a white shirt and blue jeans in your closet,” Raiden says.
This idea that timeless pieces are rooted in history might soothe fashion skeptics who wonder why designers bother putting garments on the runway that people aren’t really wearing in real life. “Take a toga, for instance. We're not running around in linen togas, but we'll definitely see one on the runway next season,” Raiden suggests. This is because garments are not always rooted in practicality, like the classic combo of blue jeans and a white tee. A timeless garment can also be marked by the history and feelings behind the piece. “It’s not just about a garment looking classic or always being in trend. It's about how the item tells a story. A garment needs to feel immortal in order to be timeless.”
Beyond a garment’s history, there are a few other boxes pieces can tick to snag the coveted label of timeless. For example, Raiden says quality production is another big part of what makes garments and brands last. “Coach is a brand that has been in trend and out of trend for so many decades. No matter how much they're in trend at the moment, their quality is impeccable,” he says. “A Coach bag could be living in your closet forever, and you could still pass that down to your daughter, and she could pass it on to her daughter.”
Beyond craftsmanship, approachability can also contribute to a piece’s timelessness, because truly well-made garments tend to look good on anyone. “True timeless garments represent a true human body and form. Probably one of the biggest trends I can think of right now is barrel jeans. Do we think we're gonna see barrel jeans a few years down the line being represented as timeless fashion? I don't think so. They don't look great on everybody,” Raiden says.
Unlike trendy fashion, a timeless piece is not based on fleeting popularity. It’s all about a piece’s true value. “They live because they're pieces that are needed forever.”
A timeless item keeps appearing in the media, on runways, and in stores, no matter how long ago it was dreamed about and made. While timeless is a concept most often used in the Western world, it’s not an idea reserved solely for Western fashion. We may have coined the term, but the concept of timelessness exists around the world. “I think there’s always been timeless fashion. Look at a saree. It has been in fashion. They're traditionally gorgeous. I think about an ancient Egyptian robe or a crown. These are things that are fashionable and have always been in fashion, just simply because of tradition or uniform,” Raiden says.
Other garments that Raiden regards as classic? “I would definitely have to say a fur coat. It represents power, strength, and luxury. A fur coat really represents all of that.” Garments aside, Raiden can think of one designer in particular who also stands out to him as forever relevant. “A designer that pretty much will always hold dear to me is Tom Ford at Gucci. He will always be in style and in trend. I don't think there needs to be any further explanation about that.”
While luxury items like these are timeless, Raiden suggests that the most lasting garments of all are usually classic and clean-- and you don’t have to shop designer to get that. “You never know what you can find anywhere. I am a kid that comes from thrifting, that comes from looking at these items because I wasn't able to afford them. So it's so great knowing that there's truly timeless garments everywhere in the world that you could buy.”
It was genuinely such a pleasure speaking with Raiden about all things timeless fashion. We had such a lovely conversation and spun off into so many thought-provoking territories. That said, there is a part two of this story coming out soon! In the meantime, keep up with Raiden on Instagram @theraidenco, and check out his archive and own collections on his website. Hint: His new line of made-to-measure, ready-to-wear dresses and coats is coming out very soon, so stay tuned!
