Knowing When to Break the Fashion Rules

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There’s always a fine line between creating a look deliberately and looking too messy, which is why fashion bloggers and celebrities are mixing up silver and gold in a new way. Add stackable bracelets to the arm to finish off any look, and be sure to use varying shades and widths of silver and gold bangles to keep the style fresh.

Mom was always full of great fashion advice—never wear white after Labor Day, keep bright colors for spring and summer and never wear too many accessories. Fashionistas everywhere will often agree on one thing: there are no rules in fashion! There are always going to be trends that should be avoided–scrunchies, anyone?–fashion is about finding what you love and wearing it with confidence. Many of the old fashion rules don’t hold much weight anymore, and, in fact, with a few tweaks even wearing white after Labor Day is no longer a fashion don’t. In today’s world, it’s safe to say that breaking fashion rules is always stylish!

Wearing white after Labor Day is one of those perpetual fashion rules that often elicit confusion about what the proper etiquette is. For some fashionistas, the unofficial end to summer means putting away brightly hued attire and white pants or blouses, but don’t be too quick to part with white. White denim or a sheer white blouse is the ideal accent to darker fall and winter clothing and brightens up any drab wardrobe. Still not comfortable wearing white after Labor Day? Look for warmer, creamy hues or off white to balance out a cozy outfit, or go for a white accessory—a handbag or clutch is always in fashion!

The idea of horizontal stripes is another treacherous territory for some, but beautiful stripes should never be discounted! Alhough some fashionistas are convinced stripes create the illusion of ten additional pounds, there are plenty of ways to embrace the horizontal pattern so it fits and flatters every body type. Instead of thick bands of color that wrap around a garment, look for blouses or sweaters that feature a skinny stripe. Smaller stripes offer a chic nautical look that’s always in style and complements the body. Another fashionable way to wear horizontal stripes is to pair a striped blouse or sweater with a blazer or denim jacket. This additional layer polishes the look, complements the horizontal stripes and visually keeps the pattern to a minimum.

Do you avoid wearing certain colors together…say navy and black? This is one fashion rule you can toss out the window. While this color combination has been avoided for years, it has recently been ruled obsolete by such fashion house icons as Prabal Gurung and Carolina Herrera. Combining these two deep shades provides a chic, classic look and can be something as simple as pairing black tights with a beautiful navy blue cocktail dress or tucking a silk navy-colored blouse into skinny black slacks.

One of the newer fashion rules to be broken is mixing prints, such as polka dots, stripes and floral motifs. While breaking this rule is often left to the more adventurous fashionista, it can certainly be done by anyone to create a stylish, street-casual outfit. While breaking fashion rules is fabulously chic, there are still some things to keep in mind when implementing the combination of patterns into a look. First, always mix patterns within the same color family to keep the ensemble from becoming completely chaotic. Another way to mix patterns is to do just that—mix it up! Pair leopard with polka dots or stripes, or complement a floral pattern with horizontal stripes. Mixing patterns doesn’t mean you need to wear a floral blouse with a plaid skirt; create a fashion-forward look by keeping it simple, such as choosing a patterned scarf or accessory to wear with a solid blouse and patterned skirt or pants.

Fashion rules don’t just apply to apparel, either. Accessories are an entirely new avenue in which to break some aged fashion myths, such as pairing gold and silver jewelry. There’s always a fine line between creating a look deliberately and looking too messy, which is why fashion bloggers and celebrities are mixing up silver and gold in a new way. Add stackable bracelets to the arm to finish off any look, and be sure to use varying shades and widths of silver and gold bangles to keep the style fresh. Not a fan of bracelets? Use the same concept with rings and dare to go even further away from this old-fashioned rule by incorporating other metallic hues, such as the always-stunning rose gold!

When it comes to fashion, many of the so-called rules we are familiar with are outdated. Creating new eye-catching looks or mixing and matching colors and patterns is a fun way to create personal style and stay unique. Want to wear white after summer? Do it! Love mixing red and pink together or combining polka dots with a small floral pattern? Go right ahead. Fashion, by definition, is subjective, so get creative and adventurous with those fabulous garments and accessories in your closet.

Sources: whowhatwear.com, glamour.com, stylecaster.com