Fashion rules that you follow, or break, reveal much about your personal style. So if you want to experiment with new combinations in your wardrobe and try something different, here are five fashion rules you should break and experiment with.
Ballet pink and lilac may be associated with spring, but these colors can be worn all year long for a stylish, laid-back look. Wearing socks with sandals also creates an effortless style statement.
1. Don’t Wear White After Labor Day
If you love wearing white clothing, you may be shocked to learn that traditional fashion rules dictate it should not be worn after Labor Day. While this rule might have had its place at one time, modern fashion enthusiasts such as Coco Chanel often proudly showcase white clothing regardless of season.
History behind this rule remains unclear, though some speculate it was intended as a way of distinguishing upper class individuals from working class individuals. Wealthy individuals would often wear light linen clothing during summer vacations and then pack away these white pieces upon Labor Day for fall/winter travel plans. Conversely, working class individuals would typically opt for darker clothing more suitable to their work environments and weather conditions.
Theory suggests this rule was created to remind people it’s time to switch out lighter summer clothing for warmer, darker hues; while this could still be applicable today, other reasons exist which make this rule no longer valid.
No matter your fashion goals or wardrobe needs, white remains a versatile color that should still be considered year-round. Be bold enough to break this fashion rule this fall by wearing some white clothing – rules are made to be broken!
2. Don’t Wear Socks With Sandals
One of the oldest fashion rules that generates strong reactions is not wearing socks with sandals. While some appreciate this style rule, others strongly disagree and often share their thoughts publicly on social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook.
Although wearing socks with sandals may not seem practical, it can help prevent blisters when walking for extended distances or periods of time. Furthermore, this combination can add flair and unique style to an otherwise dull outfit.
However, if socks with sandals isn’t your thing or you prefer going without them altogether that is perfectly acceptable! Just ensure your sandals fit properly; those with straps that cover the top of your foot are best worn with socks while open-toe sandals may be worn without socks for maximum comfort and wet feet avoidance. Also avoid pairing thong flip flops with socks since these can result in soggy feet!
Since the Normcore movement of the late 2000s, there has been an exponential rise in popularity of pairing socks and sandals – once considered an eye-roller trend – together. NYC culture blog Gothamist published an observational timeline showing its increasing prevalence; noting it had reached full Sad Dad status.
But don’t let Kanye and Justin Beiber’s success inspire your fear! Even if you aren’t quite ready to embrace this look fully, try pairing sandals with solid-colored socks of matching hue.
Care should be taken not to overdo this pairing, as doing so could quickly turn into an unsightly and distasteful look.
3. Don’t Wear Dresses Over Pants
Fashion can be an unpredictable world of confusion; its rules seem to constantly shift and it’s easy to lose your bearings in all the latest trends. However, remember that style is about more than what you wear – it’s how you wear it too! Don’t be afraid to break any established standards to craft an aesthetic all your own.
One of the key fashion rules to break is wearing dresses over pants, as this adds an element of fun and originality to your ensemble. But you need to tread carefully when doing so in order to avoid overdoing it – here are a few tips on avoiding making this mistake:
When pairing a dress over trousers, selecting skinny jeans or pants of the same hue as your dress can ensure that the overall look doesn’t become too busy or chaotic. Also avoid jeans with too many belt loops, pockets or pleats which will show through and create unwanted bumps or lumps beneath your dress.
As you experiment with wearing dresses over trousers, try mixing and matching different colors and textures. For example, try pairing a longline blazer with jeans, mini dress, or sweater over shorts – creating a truly distinctive and eclectic look sure to turn heads! This could create an eye-catching ensemble sure to turn heads.
Overall, when it comes to dressing up there are no hard and fast rules. Use these guidelines as a starting point and then experiment with your own unique styles. Have fun breaking fashion rules – fashion may come and go but style is timeless!
4. Don’t Wear Black With Blue
As children, many of us were advised not to wear black with blue, but this fashion rule should be broken. Black and navy blue combinations can look chic when done right: pairing pinstriped blazers with navy denim jeans makes the color combo intentional while pairing navy mohair sweater dresses with black leather shoes and white belts keeps things contemporary and polished.
Bonus tip: pairing black and blue works well with other colors as well, such as warm browns. If you tend to wear lots of black clothing, try replacing some with different shades of brown to see how much more flattering they can be; they pair beautifully with copper, rust, green and turquoise hues!
Those who prefer bolder looks can pair black and blue together by pairing dark-washed jeans with a navy silk shirt, or try pairing navy velvet dress with black pumps and an easy white clutch bag for a monochromatic approach.
Though once advised to cover up our bra straps, flashing shoulder or back clasps is now totally on-trend and feels liberating – especially for taller women who can benefit from using heels to lengthen their visual height.
5. Don’t Wear Socks With Sneakers
Since a decade ago, socks have experienced an unprecedented resurgence in men’s wardrobes. From slippers and loafers to boots and sandals, incorporating colorful socks can add texture and pop of color into outfits while remaining appropriate and appropriateness are both key considerations when adding this trend to wardrobes. It is important to remember however that just because something has become popular doesn’t guarantee it should always be used.
If you want to look your best, wearing socks with sneakers is best avoided. Instead, a pair of ankle socks should do the trick in terms of not showing too much skin or creating an untidy look. Furthermore, it is crucial that the color of your socks match that of your pants; otherwise there will be an unwelcome break in color that detracts from overall style.
Also, when matching socks and sneakers it is essential not to combine logos. For instance, wearing Nike sneakers with Adidas socks would create an eye-catching clash of branding that might create distractions from your look. Instead, opt for neutral colored socks which blend in more easily.
No matter if or when socks are worn with footwear, it’s essential to remember that wearing shoes without socks can be uncomfortable and lead to foot pain, while potentially leading to fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot. Therefore it is wiser to opt for high-quality materials like those found on Correct Toes rather than opt for footwear without socks altogether.
Fashion has long been dictated by a set of rules that dictate what is beautiful, socially acceptable or appropriate for certain occasions. While these can provide order and clarity to your wardrobe, it is also necessary to challenge or even break these laws from time to time in order to create your own distinct personal style that reflects who you truly are.
