Neoclassic Fashion: How Anti-Trend Fashion Is Cool Again in 2023

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(Image credit: @iliridakrasniqi)

Right now, my shopping list has pieces scribbled on it, including ballet flats, a watch finished with a gold bracelet, a top-handle leather tote bag, and a boatneck midi dress. The common thread? They are all decidedly classic, anti-trend pieces that somehow feel cool and of-the-moment despite their timeless qualities. 

While some of the pieces may fall under the umbrella of "quiet luxury" to an extent, I wouldn't necessarily group them in the same category. The ballet flats I'm after are made of bright-blue tweed and are distinctly Chanel with the fashion house's signature Cs printed on the toes. The watch is a recognizable piece from Cartier with a gold bracelet, sapphire crown, and the brand name clearly printed on the front of the face. Instead of being about logoless "if you know, you know" pieces, neoclassic fashion, to me, signals a renewed interest in designs and silhouettes that have stood the test of time. Ahead, see the neoclassic pieces that are currently on my shopping list. 

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Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.