Timeless fashion means an outfit you can wear again and again without it going out of style. Something your mother or grandmother could have worn, and that would still be fashionable in this day and time.

There are several things to think about when choosing an outfit for work.

1. Is it work appropriate? Yes, that black dress is certainly timeless, but it's not work appropriate (assuming you have an office job). Think more in the line of suits. Men will find this a lot simpler than women, since they only have to choose between suits. Women will have to determine if they want to go with a skirt-suit or pant-suit. Find a shape that flatters your figure; not everyone can wear pencil skirts, you know. Then find a tone you like. Remember that colors can have as much impact as the cut and outfit do. For work, go with gray or black. Possibly a navy blue. DO NOT pick flourescent orange. Trust me, it just doesn't work.

2. Accesorize. This includes the dress shirt, shoes, watch, bag/briefcase, etc. Women will have more possibilities for accesories, in that they have all sorts of jewelry and purses to choose from, which will change the entire look of an outfit. Gentlemen, peruse the tie section of your local men's store. And, please, no wild ties (unless given by your daughter/wife, in which case you are obligated to wear them at least once). The dress shirt is the single biggest way to change the entire look of an outfit, and is your place to have complete control in color choice. You can use even bright colors, and it will still look dignified with a standard toned suit. (Guys, make sure your tie matches your shirt.)

3. Make sure it fits properly. It may seem overly obvious, but too many people over look this. They think, well, I'll lose those five pounds, and then it will fit right. DON'T do this. It is much easier (and cheaper) to have clothes taken in when you lose the weight than to have them let out (or to have to buy a new suit) if you don't.

4. To determine proper fit for a suit jacket/blazer, raise both arms above your head. If you can do this comfortably, it fits. For pants, bend over and touch your toes (or as close as you can come); if the pants don't bite into your waist (or tear in the back), they fit.

In closing, don't fall into the fashion trends and pitfalls of today. Fashions change faster than most people have time or money to keep up with. Think economy and style, buying one good piece of clothing instead of 12 cheap items that will wear out. Since you are looking for classics, find old fashion magazines, and look for the outfits that would work today. Those are the fashions that have stood the test of time.

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