I love me a good trend (did I mentioned I’m addicted to statement pants? Ad.Dic.Ted… remember this?). Peplums, neon and floral prints have also all made their way into my wardrobe already this Spring…. BUT there is also something to say for classic style. A well cut blazer, a pretty, girly frock and an amazing pair of heels are ALWAYS welcome in my style books and are often the first things I recommend my clients have in their wardrobe.

The age-old question….

So recently, when I sent a snap of the cute little stunning floral blazer I just bought to The Boy, this was his response, “It’s nice…. But how long will it be in season for? I had a conversation with a girl at work about her floral blazer she got from Dejcuba…. And that she can only wear it once a week because it stands out so much… Whereas Caitlin will wear a plain white blazer and go the cheaper option of accessories, etc. You’d be proud of me!! Up to you to work out the cost per wear”  (thanks to The Boy for the use of that quote xx)

OMG I was SO proud of him, I’ve taught him well (and yes, normally I would suggest to wear a simple, classic blazer and dress it up with trend accessories) but have I gone too far into the classic-style abyss that I can’t rock a trend any more? I hope not!

So here are some tips for choosing when to wear (and purchase) trends vs classics.

1. It really is all about cost per wear.

Let’s take the blazers for example. My cute little floral blazer from Dotti was a steal at $79.95 AUS (buy her here, oh and go down at least a size… I bought an 8! Normally a 10 in a blazer). She is TOTES on trend and waaaay cute! And most importantly, she was very affordable – everyone has brought out a floral blazer this season from BIG W to Witchery to Sass & Bide.

On the flip size, a classic, well-cut black blazer will last YEARS and not go out of fashion, so it’s ok to spend a little more on a good one. I’ve had this great piece from Sacha Drake for yeeeeeears and still get heaps of wear out of it. (Buy a similar one here from Trelise Cooper). It may not have been the cheapest thing in my wardrobe to buy, but it’s lasted me a good five years already, and I can see it going strong for another five! By then it will be practically free!!

Sacha Drake blazer – a classic to keep!

2. Make sure you buy trend pieces you can wear different ways.

Realistically, I’m probably only going to wear my awesome new blazer a handful of times – The Boy is right (don’t tell him I said that), it does really stand out, but I think that is ok – it’s a cute blazer! I also have a few different ideas on how I’m going to wear here. It will look cute with a plain white singlet and jeans, or all black underneath (dress, or top and fitted pants) or over a summer maxi in a block colour.

Statement pants are another great example of wearing a trend in different ways. I’ve worn them dressed up with heels and a jacket for events, or with converse trainers and an anorak for a trans-tasman plane flight, or even with just simple sandals and a denim jacket for a weekend stroll to Bondi.

LOVE my statement pants, and I’m making sure that I’m getting good use out of them!

If you can’t get good cost per wear over the long-term, make sure you can get it during that season.

3. If something really suits you – it SHOULD be a classic in your wardrobe.

If you find a cut of jeans, a shape of a dress, or a colour that REALLY makes you look and feel amazing – stick with it! Classic pieces are classic because they had whether the test of fashion trends and still come out on top.

I have a little black dress that I have owned for SEVEN YEARS! Now if you know how fast I rotate fashion in my wardrobe, you may have just spat out your coffee all over the computer (sorry about that, my bad). Once again, it’s a Sacha Drake dress – and Sacha hates  me telling people that my dress is that old – but it is! It has lasted the test of time… and more importantly fashion, because it FITS me. More importantly, I feel incredible when I put it on, that is how a classic piece should make you feel – amazing EVERY TIME you put it on.

The Iris Dress from Sacha Drake…. a MUST HAVE LDB…. and a classic! (click the image to buy)

4. Turn a classic INTO a trend…. or visa versa.

Accessories are my favourite thing to change up the look of an outfit. Want to make a simple, little summer frock look a bit more edgy? Swap you cute little ballet flats for a more on-trend ankle boot – that will spunk up that look. Neon is huge right now and will add that touch of trend to any classic look – jeans and a white tee, a LBD and neon actually looks amazing with creams and tans – so will make a classic trench coat POP!!

pop of neon and a black blazer, trend and classic styling in harmony

On the other hand, try wearing a classic blazer over a maxi dress this summer rather than just with the standard jeans and top. Blazers are on trend right now (as well as being a classic… confused yet?) so you can get away with wearing them in many more situations than normal.

REMEMBER: the most important thing to remember in all this talk about trend vs classic – DON’T WEAR A TREND JUST BECAUSE IT IS A TREND!!! This would make you, what we call a “fashion victim” (it’s ok, we’ve ALL been one at some stage). Only wear a trend because you love it, and if it suits you!

I hope that helps? Now where is that neon skull ring I love (and I will totally I have for years…… yeah right)

Cait x