Fashion is fickle...except when it's not. For every flash-in-the-pan crop-top moment, there is a chic and timeless animal print. Take a glimpse back to see why these looks keep moving forward.
Ladylike
In 1947 French designer, Christian Dior, ushered in the lavishly feminine New Look with a nipped-in waist and a full skirt.
Why it keeps coming back: It complements curves and looks polished but never over-the-top.
How to wear it now: Sophistication lies in the details. Bow-tie kitten heels or vintage jewelry can effortlessly class up your jeans.
Try separates rather than the traditional fit-and-flare dress. A blouse-and-skirt combo looks even more modern. For evening wear that is equally glamorous and comfortable pair a wrap shirt with an embellished, twirly skirt.
Animal Prints
When Europeans began colonizing Asia and Africa in the 18th century, they brought home the skins of the leopards, tigers and zebras that they found there. Those exotic patterns were soon reproduced on fabrics (for the uber-rich, of course), leaving their mark on clothing and décor.
Why it keeps coming back: Animal prints are like neutrals--they're made up of brown, beige, and black, after all. They're seasonless, and you can wear them with almost anything. Plus, they add a little edge to your wardrobe.
How to wear it now: Hit the spot in small doses if you fear the print will swallow you whole; animal print accessories, like those shown here, can be just as eye-catching.
This season, you'll see animal prints that are more graphic or magnified. Try a patterned piece with a solid jewel tone to keep it out of retro territory. An ocelot pattern like this coat's is plenty wild, so stick with a silhouette that is simple, sleek and tasteful.
Menswear
Thank designer Coco Chanel, who popularized pants for women in the 1920s. She also gets points for making sportswear separates, like jersey jackets and cardigans, that were designed to be stylish and comfortable on the go.
Why it keeps coming back: Menswear is flattering on almost any shape or size, and it works in or out of the office.
How to wear it now: Dapper touches, like a fedora or a chunky watch, easily swing the other way and mingle with frilly dresses.
Choose fitted, not oversize, cuts. And contrast seriously sharp tailoring with fun, feminine accents. Daring jewelry and colorful high heels will do it. For a night out, a tuxedo jack and tie-print pants are unexpectedly posh (and relaxed).
Minimalism
French designers Andre Courreges and Pierre Cardin made mod shift dresses in the 1960s (model Twiggy was a fan), and Halston kept the streamlined silhouette going in the '70s with monochromatic jersey dresses and stretchy jumpsuits.
Why it keeps coming back: Clean lines and functionality have always been hallmarks of American style. Audrey Hepburn's capris are a classic example of this intersection of elan and ease.
How to wear it now: Pick one powerful piece (a geometric scarf, a sculptural cuff) and let it pop against something basic.
Pieces are still pared down but have bold details (like the asymmetrical seam seen here). Look for a striking hem or neckline and sharp cutouts. And when black and white collide, you get major impact--meaning no need for a lot of accessories.
Florals
With Mother Nature, really. Flowers-as-adornment is as old as the hills. But in terms of being painted or printed on clothing, blossoms were seen on Japanese kimonos around the year 794 and on rich Genoese velvets in the 1400s.
Why it keeps coming back: In a word, pretty. And there are countless interpretations to appeal to any taste--from soft, watercolor petals to full-on flower power, as worn by '60s model and "it girl" Jean Shrimpton.
How to wear it now: For a subtle approach, spruce up any old cardigan with a lively brooch or scarf.
What's fresh? Less lavender, more aubergine. Florals are cropping up in deeper autumnal tones which makes them appropriate no matter how ungirlie you may be.
Mix patterns? By all means. Just make sure there's one color, like black or navy, that links both prints together.
Military
During World War II, civilians, even ladies, took to wearing government-issue trench coats as everyday outerwear. And in the Vietnam era, young people in the antiwar movement appropriated fatigues--camouflage, army jackets, cargo pants--as symbols of protest. They became trendsetters in the process.
Why it keeps coming back: It's functional for one thing. And, like menswear, it has a tough, androgynous appeal. Who knew something called "olive drab" could be so versatile and rich?
How to wear it now: Adding an accessory or two is all you need to get a casual outfit into high gear.
Remember--it's an outfit, not a uniform. Look for details like cargo pockets, epaulets, and insignias (think high-style Bot Scout badges). But avoid too many at once.
You want to look contemporary, not literal. A dashing cape, like this one, is best layered over slim-fitting styles.
