Timeless Style

Been thinking this week about trend-defying style. About women who do their own thing regardless of what's in fashion. Joan Collins' kitsch-y glamour hasn't really changed much since her Dynasty days - and I admire this decade-defying look, and the confidence required to stick with it.

There's a great Andy Warhol quote that sums the phenomenon up perfectly:

'When a person is the beauty of their day, and their looks are really in style, and then the times change, and ten years go by, if they keep exactly their same look and don't change anything and if they take care of themselves, they'll still be a beauty. You have to hang on in periods when your style isn't popular, because if it's good, it'll come back and you'll be recognised as a beauty once again.'


Here are some of my favourite stars of timeless style:



Grace Jones takes the life-as-performance approach to fashion.



Mary Quant and her timeless bob



Jane Birkin, always effortlessly chic.



Caryn Franklin. A sharp dresser with fabulous hair.





Who do you think has timeless style?

Year-round style

August. The month when That's Not My Age has one eye on the dishevelled sale rail (so what if it's jammed at the back of the store right next to the toilets, I have no shame when it comes to a bargain) and the other on the shiny new autumn/winter collections. Fashion is a topsy-turvy world and, when the seasons change over, it's best to stick to timeless styles that work all year round. Which is why I love this outfit from Hobbs (A/W2010). A Breton top and maxi skirt - OK that's a sweater in the picture but it could easily be a t-shirt - look just as fabulous teamed with plimsolls in summer, as with classic brogues and argyle socks in autumn. Talk about easy style.

And, sorry can't get Kristen McMenamy, 46, out of my head - Hobbs' gorgeous shearling coat instantly brought the middle-aged crush du jour to mind. As seen in the latest issue of Dazed and Confused.




Not sure about you but think I prefer the Vogue fashion story.


Do you have any transitional fashion favourites?