

I.D., New York City

Charlene Chua

A:"Individual style" and "timeless" are now fashion mantras. But your mom's generation came of age in a time when fashion's "in" and "out" rules were still largely in force. Tell your mom's friends that the silhouettes, colors and necklines that look best on them should be the anchors to their wardrobes. They can always add trendy accessories.

Of course, there are some fashion "outs" everybody can agree on—usually, the most extreme styles of an era: exaggerated shoulder pads, oversized pants on men, Farrah Fawcett flips.

Yet some vintage styles are never out, like my gold distressed leather zip-front vest by Donna Karan from 1988. Whenever I wear it—tarted up with skinny jeans and high heels—fashion sharpshooters quickly identify it, marveling at how the cracked leather looks better with age. The same goes for my 1990s peplum jackets from Thierry Mugler. Such signature pieces provide a fillip to your look, so hang onto them forever.

—Email askteri@wsj.com

Write to Teri Agins at teri.agins@wsj.com