Style Type #4: Classy Classic

Illustration by Sue Tait Porcaro

Classic. The very name evokes a sense of harmony and balance. In the Personal Style Counselors (PSC) System, the Classical-Traditional style archetype sits at the balance point between the three yang (Dramatic, Natural, Exuberant) and the three yin (Romantic, Youthful, Ethereal) archetypes. You could think of it as the center post that holds the opposites together.

That certainly doesn’t mean that everyone has some of this archetype. But it does mean that everyone can wear something in this style. If you’d like to learn more about that read my post: Why Classical Style Has Something for Everyone.

Aside from cut, drape and silhouette, Classic works for everyone. That’s because most of us have occasions or environments that require some degree of modesty such as a workplace, a first meeting between strangers, or a rite of passage (wedding, funeral, graduation, etc.) Even if our personal style is more showy or extreme, most of us feel pretty elegant and pulled together when we add something from the Classic style archetype to our wardrobe. We might say that Classic is synonymous with classy.

So, how would we describe the elements of classic fashion? In a nutshell, they are Western culture’s simple, understated, timeless silhouettes. They are the items that look as appropriate today as they did decades ago: a simple white shirt, a trench coat, or a well tailored suit. They have a luxe quality to them, as demonstrated in this photo of the (mostly) Classic Kerry Washington.

And how would we describe someone who intrinsically has a lot of this style type? Grace Kelly was a perfect example. First of all, they tend to have very symmetrical faces. That means there isn’t a very noticeable difference between the shape and placement of their eyes or the shape of the two sides of their mouth. Regardless of ethnicity, they tend to choose to wear their hair in a fairly traditional Western style.

There just isn’t anything extreme about Classic types. In fact, subtlety could be their trademark. (You won’t find them wearing antler headgear or a lampshade at the office Christmas party.) Indian writer Anita Desai here, has a lot of the patrician quality of repose you see in Classic–Traditional archetypes.

So, now let’s look at a couple examples of classical style in fashion. Classical archetypes can certainly wear sneakers (which have become a classic in their own right) but you’ll most likely see them in simple, minimally adorned pumps or flats and carrying handbags made of smooth, rather than sueded, fringed, or blinged-out leathers.

The cashmere cardigan, pencil skirt, and pearls are a Classic “uniform” that never gets old.

Still, in the ever-changing world of fashion the whole concept of what is Classic and Traditional is undergoing something of a change in the industry. I doubt these new trends will permanently replace the things we have come to know as classics but here’s one example of how it’s getting reinterpreted – the eternally chic trench coat. When we think of the classic trench coat, this is what comes to mind.

And this is how it was recently interpreted by Burberry! Same designer, same basic construction and silhouette, but zowie! That ain’t no ordinary classic! (You definitely need to have a touch of drama and either Bold or Bright coloring to pull off one of these.) Yet in spite of the bling-y fabric, they still read as tailored and refined (and I’m guessing they’re pretty pricey.)

I believe the trend toward a contemporary Classic minimalism, which started with Eileen Fisher, has now been fueled by the Millennial “minimalist” movement through such companies as Everlane, Ayr, Cuyana, and COS . They’re bringing a freshness to the basics, taking them slightly outside the box but never abandoning the fundamental principles of simplicity.

So, when you think “Classical” you can stretch your thinking. It’s certainly not stodgy or predictable. Classics can be interesting, sexy, and a little mysterious, simply because a lot of other types of clothing these days leave nothing to the imagination. And, having some mystery makes any woman a little more attractive. Just ask French women of any age.

For the entire month of June I’ll be offering examples and more information about the Classic style archetype on my Facebook page. (If you’re not already following my Facebook page you can click on the “f” icon below.) It’s great fun and my readers seem to love it because they learn a lot. And it expands my own knowledge to post something new every day.

Speaking of readers, if you sign up for my blog by adding your email address in the sidebar here you’ll receive five free tips from my book Shopping for the Real You. And of course, I’d love it if you’d buy a copy of my book, either here or on Amazon. It will give you a greater depth of understanding about your own color harmonies and individual style facets. 

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