The Top Fashion Rules That You Should Break
Thanks to What Not To Wear, we have fashion rules engrained in us that we don’t even know why we follow them. Although they can be helpful guidelines, fashion is all about breaking out of the box and creating your own unique look. So breakaway from old fashioned fashion rules and start owning your style.
1.Don’t Wear White After Labor Day
As an already very pale person I don’t typically wear white, but recently I’ve been finding more pieces that are white that I absolutely love and I want to wear them year round, and I will. White is a color that goes with everything, so it’s a staple in most peoples closet but we’ve been told we can only wear it for a few months in the year, and that’s just wrong. White can be made to fit seasons other than summer. Pairing white pants with a tan sweater and cheetah booties makes the look neutral but still in season. I found a white corduroy skirt from J.Crew and I plan to wear in in every season possible because it is just that cute. The corduroy helps to make it fit in better with my winter turtlenecks and the white makes it versatile enough to pair with a denim jacket in spring. With the versatility that white offers us in our wardrobe, there is no reason to constrict it to the hotter months. Wearing white in winter is the perfect way to celebrate the snowy season.
2. Short People Can’t Wear Long Dresses
Listen, I am a shortie. 5’2 and not getting any taller and I stuck to this religiously when I was younger because I was very self-conscious about my height, but as I got older and more into fashion I wanted to try out the trend and I loved it. I was afraid that I would just appear shorter than I already am if I wore a long dress. I just found the right styles for me that made me feel confident in what I was wearing. I’d throw on a cute pair of wedges so the dress wouldn’t drag, or knot it not the side for a high low look. When Midi dresses started being really popular I stayed away again, afraid it would make me appear even shorter but I have never felt more confident than when wearing a midi length. I feel so timeless and trendy and don’t care how tall or short I look. I don’t usually go for a full-length dress, but I don’t let my height be the reason for not wearing it.
3. Tall People Can’t Wear Heels
Just like the rule above, your height does not dictate whether or not you should wear something. Heels are flattering on everyone, it gives your legs a nice look and elevates any outfit you’re wearing. It dresses up jeans and is most every girls go to when wearing a dress. You should wear heels because you want to and just because you’re tall shouldn’t take away from that. You have cute red heels that would make your red lips pop, wear it! The top models in the world are typically super tall and they strut the runway in 6 inch heels, and tall girls should do the same in their everyday wear.
4. Dress For Your Shape
Let me tell you do not dress for your shape because some fashion magazine told you you had to, dress however makes you feel comfortable and confident. The whole; pear, apple, hourglass, triangle body shape thing is beyond confusing because every persons body is different. Saying you have a pear body type verses an hourglass insinuates that one is better than the other, when they’re not. Knowing that certain styles may flatter your body better can be helpful, but if you want to wear a mermaid style dress and aren’t a curvy girl, do it. And if you want to wear a ballgown dress but are tall and big chested, do it. Find what styles you like and what flatters your individual body not what the fashion rules are saying should flatter your body.
4. Don’t Mix Patterns
I get the concept behind this, too many patters causes a very busy look and can look tacky rather than trendy. But you can have a put together look with different patterns and still look cute. This can actually create a really unique look by mixing patterns, the way to pull off this look really we’ll is to make it look planned and not thrown together. Mixed patterns can appear sloppy and not thought out, so when you mix prints having one be more subtle while the other steals the show makes it your own look without looking messy. Another way to pull this look off is to wear complimenting colors in different patters. A black and white pinstripe top with a black and white polka dot skirt. Or an emerald green and white stripe pan with a patterned top of varying greens. Sticking to a specific color scheme can help this look turn heads, in a good way.
5. Stick To One Jewelry Metal
People always think that if they wear gold earrings, they can’t wear a silver bracelet. Or that gold necklace won’t match the silver rings. But sometimes you want to wear your bold silver hoops and a dainty gold bracelet and you should be able to. Just like all fashion, jewelry is an expression of who you are and what your style and interests are. Mixing metals can actually make your look more unique and layering metals can make the look very classy. Stacking silver and gold bangles then having a gold necklace and silver earrings ties your entire look together and shows you aren’t afraid to step out of the norm.
6. Monochrome Is Boring
Monochromatic looks are anything but boring. Monochromatic looks are bold and super easy to pull off since you don’t have to worry if it matches because it obviously doesn’t, it’s all the same color. I love having the same color shoes as my shirt, it makes me feel so put together but being able to do that with an entire outfit makes me not only feel put together but chic as can be. I’m super into suiting right now too so picking a cute suit color, and pairing it with the same color top and shoes will make you feel like you’re walking on air.
7. Don’t Mix Red and Pink
If the Emmy’s tough us anything this year, it’s that red and pink may be the most feminine color combination you could create. Many shy away from this combination because it’s colors seem to represent Valentine’s Day but his color combination together is both bright and beautiful. It can come off as tacky if you don’t style it right, but color blocking is everyones friend and if you do it right you’ll look just like every TV star did at the Emmy’s, chic and stunning.
8. Sheer Shirts Are Trashy
Sheer shirts have become a phenomena in bars and going out with friends for drinks. Most girls these days own a sheer shirt or two for casual occasions like that, but they are far from trashy. Sheer shirts are versatile and can be used for going on and pairing with denim shorts, but pairing an opaque top with dress pants or a high waisted skirt can make your look elegant. So, next time you’re looking for something to wear, and your same three shirts aren’t cute enough; throw on that sheer shirt and a lace bra with those paper bag pants you have for a standout look. Plus, for as much as we pay for bras, they should be seen.
9. Sweatpants Are Only For Lounging
So, I am not a huge fan of sweatpants, which most people thinks makes me insane.I get it they’re comfortable and cozy but they are never the first thing I grab to wear. But recently I’ve been seeing a huge trend in sweat pant outfits where girls are wearing sweats and a matching crop top or sweats and a matching sweatshirt and I love it. I am still trying to figure out how to pull the look off myself, but sweatpants are super practical and keep you warm and comfortable. If you don’t want to get all dressed up for brunch the morning after your best friends bachelorette, why should you? Throw on a matching sweatsuit, ditch the heels that gave you blisters and put on your gym shoes for a comfortable and fashionable look.
And while we’re on the casual athlesisure subject. Leggings are pants, and always will be pants, and no one has a right to try and take our beloved leggings away.
10. Don’t Over Dress
Oscar Wilde said it best, “One can never be over dressed or over educated”. And he was absolutely correct. Fashion is all about what you feel confident in and what make you feel the best, and if that means wearing a a matching shorts and blazer to your sisters preschool graduation, then so be it. I absolutely love dressing up, and that’s probably why I usually don’t wear sweatpants but just like the sweatpants look, people always have an option of whether it’s right or wrong. I have many times gone to events where I am the most dressed up person there, but I never felt out of place or felt that it was inappropriate. I felt comfortable because I was showcasing my own style and personality. The same way the girls who rock sweatpants at brunch do. Overdressing just shows that you care about what you are wearing and that you probably also care about fashion. I always I’m to be well dressed, and if that means I’m a little over dressed, I’m okay with that. I’d rather go somewhere thinking I should have dressed more casual than the other way around. So regardless of what you’re doing or where you’re going, put on an outfit that you love and showcase that confidence when you wear it.
Which fashion rules do you break? What other fashion rules do you break? Comment below and tell us!
Featured Image Source:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/751890100271292797/
MARIA HEHMAN IS A GRADUATE OF THOMAS MORE COLLEGE, WHERE SHE OBTAINED A BACHELOR'S OF ARTS IN ENGLISH, WITH AN EMPHASIS IN CREATIVE WRITING. SHE WORKS AS A MANAGER IN RETAIL AND DOES FREELANCE WRITING IN HER SPARE TIME. HER WRITING TOPIC WITH SOCIETY19 VARY, BUT FASHION IS HER GREATEST INTEREST. YOU CAN FIND HER MOST DAYS DRINKING ENTIRELY TOO MUCH COFFEE WHILE WATCHING HER FAVORITE SHOW, FRIENDS.