6 Items I'll Never Get Rid of Because They'll Always Stay in Style

I recently hit the seventh year mark since I joined Instagram, a wild thing to think about. What began as an innocent photo-sharing app has become an essential resource for my career, but also an unintentional photo album commemorating all of the moments I've chosen to share. I recently decided to take a stroll down memory lane via my profile. In tandem with cringing over my choice of photo filters (I was regrettably a consistent fan of Nashville), I noticed there were a few items of clothing that have made cameos in my feed year after year.

I don't need to remind you how easy it is to get swept up in the short lifecycle of trends. Zara pieces have come and, quickly, gone, but there are some closet staples I own that have transcended my ever-evolving approach to style. They'll be rejoiced to know I have no intentions of shipping them off to a resale site anytime soon. While these classic items are far from groundbreaking, together, they make up a useful list to consider when working on creating a well-rounded closet. Ahead, check out the six items I recommend you hold onto. 

Fitted Cardigan

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I don't know how I ever once thought cardigans were best left to my grandmother. Since getting this fitted Aritzia cardi over a year ago, I've worn it down to its last thread. It's one of those pieces I find a way to wear every season; as a light layer in fall, worn over a plain black turtleneck in the winter, with nothing but a bralette come spring and summer. Luckily the cardigan is still available to purchase prompting me to buy another two as backups for when this one inevitably unravels from wear.

Vans Authentic Sneakers

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I've waxed poetic about my love for Vans for years. While my (shamefully) massive collection includes a range of the brand's Sk8-His, Old Skools, and more, it's the Authentic sneakers that magically pair well with everything in my closet.

Croped Denim Jacket

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I own a legion of cropped denim jackets, but the vintage one shown here has been with me since 2011, and I don't plan on tossing it any time soon. To make sure your denim jacket will still look good in the years to come, choose a classic fitted or cropped fit and avoid any trendy frills like colored denim, acid wash, added hardware, etc.

Wool Camel Coat

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I'm pretty sure I picked up this H&M Studio coat three years ago, which, at the time, was a major splurge. Coming in around $200, it felt like an investment piece. But if we're playing the cost-per-wear game, it probably comes out to pennies. This coat has been my go-to piece of outerwear every fall through spring, has seen plenty of travels abroad, and has been worth every repair I've subsequently paid tailors for.

T-Shirt Midi Dress

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This yellow dress was also a vintage find, but it's a silhouette I've been hoarding ever since. Now my summer wardrobe consists of a rainbow assortment of short-sleeved column dresses. Where some dress shapes come and go—I can't look at a skater dress without being warped back to 2009—this more simplistic cut transcends the seasons. 

Basic Black Belt

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Chain belts, slider belts, sequin belts, D-ring belts—I've been through them all. The sole belt that's made it through many rounds of Marie Kondo–esque cleanouts is this simple-as-day leather belt. It may not spark joy, but it certainly has never looked dated. 

Up next: 4 ageless trends you, your mom, and your grandma can wear.

Contributing Editor

Ray Lowe is a contributing editor for Who What Wear. She's spent the last decade living in New York, but now that she professionally works from home, she's slowly been going back to her roots by splitting time between NYC and L.A. A year ago, she left a four-year stint as a fashion editor for Refinery29 to explore the freelance life. Nowadays, she does just about everything from penning online articles (for Who What Wear, Refinery29, Elle, Cosmo, and many more) to writing scripts, styling, and finding ways to fuse her love for both Disney and fashion. Her main beat is fashion (trends, emerging brands, affordable finds, you name it), but you may find her dropping in with a beauty story every now and then. As for her personal style, she'd best describe it as a balanced blend of basics and contemporary trends, often with a dash of Mickey Mouse thrown in for good measure. In her spare time, she can be found coddling my pets (a French bulldog and a rescue cat), curating travel itineraries for her friends, scrolling through Instagram for up-and-coming brands, and watching so-bad-they're-good films.