A few months ago, I found myself sitting in math while listening to a story on Emma Chamberlain’s podcast Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain. While I’m sure my geometry teacher would be upset to hear my little testimony, her talk struck an interesting idea in my head: the argument over trendy vs. timeless.

While I do think fashion is for one’s interpretation, I think that is a concept that works across the board. That fact is some pieces will work forever and some just won’t, that’s that. 

Initially, to decide what fits into trendy and what is timeless, you must decide how long you see yourself styling it. How many outfits can I really make work with this? Is this all over the internet? If it is, how long do I think it will stay there? The unfortunate answer is, probably not very long.

First, I would like to discuss the revolutionizing of fast fashion and its impact on style in general. Honestly, it destroys fashion at its roots.

I can admit to buying into quick trends—and in many cases—the small price tags attached to SHEIN and other fast fashion brands make them much more appealing to consumers. And no, I am not stating that all SHEIN pieces fall into the category of trendy–not to say many of them don’t. 

Personally, I don’t foresee basic tanks falling out of style anytime soon based solely on their practicality. I do see length varying, as full-length tanks and low-rise jeans edge their way back into our world, I am struggling to predict what style will outlast the other. If SHEIN is where you find your basic tank, then I don’t classify this as buying into the trend. 

However, tanks or shirts that cinch at the sides, or have the full-length, front-weaving cross, I do foresee leaving the cultural runway in the near future. While they are a fine choice for now, once we have been there, done that, it seems to already be moving on. 

Denim. Denim. Denim. While the cut or style may vary, I don’t ever see denim leaving its rightful place at the top of the leaderboard in everyday life. It can be dressed up and down in jeans, shorts, and jackets as well. The outlier of the family—the ugly duckling of sorts—is the jean skirt. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate it. But if given the choice, almost any other style of mini skirt will be chosen first; they never stick for long. 

Summer jewelry is something that I can’t choose a category for. Now, I bet most of you know what I’m talking about. The big beads, the shells, more bold pieces than we regularly see.  

Here’s the thing. First, it was that black choker with the white pearl, then the puka shell, and last summer, the big white beads with flowers and smilies laced between them—I know you know what I’m talking about.

So while I think each summer will be accompanied by its own signature piece, I think it will continuously change with the year. 

Along with the new yearly piece of jewelry, a pattern tends to trend annually. 

I have never been a fan of this.

When I was little, it was ombre—I hate it. We have seen checkers and cow prints, butterflies, angel babies, and even zebra. My point is, it is forever changing. We can’t settle on a pattern, so there will always be a new one. I find it a waste of money to buy into these quick trends. 

My suggestion would be to stock up on some basics. While earth tones like green, beige and brown have recently surfaced and heightened in their popularity levels, I don’t think this will forever stay in. Instead, blacks, whites, and even some pastels—the season of year permitting—will probably always work. 

As I build my closet, I seek to buy almost everything so I can make use of it for as long as possible. Of course, all of my purchases are not successful in this endeavor, but as long as my clothes fit the correct occasion, I am ok with that.