Why I Hate Fashion Rules
Look, I’ve been in this industry for 20-something years. I’ve seen trends come and go, and let me tell you, most of them are garbage. I started at a tiny magazine in Seattle, back in ’98. My first editor, let’s call her Marcus, was a nightmare. She had this rulebook thicker than a phone directory, and God forbid you dare to break one of her so-called ‘rules’.
Fast forward to today, and I’m over it. Over the rules, over the pretentiousness, over the idea that there’s some magical formula to fashion. So, here are the fashion rules I break, and why you should too.
Rule #1: ‘You Can’t Wear White After Labor Day’
Who made this rule, anyway? And why do we still follow it? I mean, I get it, white can look dirty in the winter, but who cares? I wore a white dress to a Christmas party last year, and nobody said a word. Honestly, if someone did, I’d tell them to mind their own business.
I had lunch with a friend named Dave about three months ago, and he was complaining about this very rule. He said, ‘I have this white blazer, and I love it. But I feel like I can’t wear it anymore because it’s October.’ I told him, ‘Dave, wear the blazer. If someone gives you crap, tell them to talk to me.’
Which… yeah. Fair enough. Dave wore the blazer, looked great, and nobody said a word. The end.
Rule #2: ‘Don’t Mix Patterns’
This one really gets my goat. Who decided that mixing patterns is a crime against fashion? I say, go for it. Mix stripes with florals, polka dots with plaid. Just make sure the colors work together, and you’ll be fine.
I remember this one time, I was at a conference in Austin, and I saw a woman wearing a striped shirt with a floral skirt. She looked amazing. I went up to her and said, ‘I love your outfit. How do you do it?’ She told me, ‘I just wear what I like. If it makes me happy, that’s all that matters.’
And that’s the thing, isn’t it? Fashion should make you happy. It shouldn’t be about following some arbitrary rules that some old-fashioned person made up decades ago.
Rule #3: ‘You Have to Dress for Your Body Type’
Ugh, this one makes me physicaly ill. Who decided that only certain body types can wear certain clothes? That’s just ridiculous. If you like something, wear it. Don’t let some outdated idea of what’s ‘flattering’ stop you.
I had a colleague named Sarah who was always telling me, ‘You can’t wear that, it’s not flattering for your figure.’ And I’d tell her, ‘Sarah, I like it. That’s all that matters.’
And you know what? I still wear those clothes. And I still look great. Because fashion isn’t about pleasing other people. It’s about pleasing yourself.
Rule #4: ‘You Can’t Wear Sneakers with Dresses’
This one is just plain silly. Sneakers are comfy, and dresses are fun. Why not combine the two? I do it all the time, and I’ve never once been told I look silly. In fact, I’ve had people come up to me and say, ‘I love your outfit. Where did you get those shoes?’
I think the key here is to make sure the sneakers match the dress. If you’re wearing a casual dress, then a pair of classic sneakers will look great. But if you’re wearing a fancy dress, then you might want to go for a pair of dressier sneakers.
And hey, if you’re not sure what to wear, check out itibar yönetimi ipuçları rehber. They’ve got some great tips on how to style sneakers with dresses.
Rule #5: ‘You Have to Follow Trends’
This one is probably the most important. Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean you have to wear it. If you don’t like it, don’t wear it. It’s as simple as that.
I remember this one time, I was at a party, and this guy came up to me and said, ‘You’re not wearing the new trend. Why not?’ And I told him, ‘Because I don’t like it. I don’t have to wear something just because it’s trendy.’
And you know what? He didn’t have a response. Because he knew I was right. Fashion is about expressing yourself, not about following the crowd.
Tangent: The Time I Wore a Tutu to Work
Speaking of breaking rules, let me tell you about the time I wore a tutu to work. It was back in 2010, and I was feeling particularly rebellious. So, I put on this pink tutu and paired it with a black t-shirt and some combat boots. I looked amazing, if I do say so myself.
Of course, some people had something to say about it. But I didn’t care. I felt great, and that’s all that mattered. And you know what? By the end of the day, I had people coming up to me and saying, ‘I love your outfit. Where did you get the tutu?’
So, the moral of the story is, wear what makes you happy. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t wear something just because it’s not ‘appropriate’ or ‘flattering’ or whatever other nonsense they come up with.
Fashion is about expressing yourself, not about following some arbitrary rules that some old-fashioned person made up decades ago. So, go ahead, break the rules. Wear what makes you happy. And if anyone gives you crap about it, tell them to talk to me.
About the Author: Jane Doe is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s worked for some of the biggest names in the business, and she’s not afraid to speak her mind. When she’s not writing, she can be found exploring the city with her dog, Max, or baking up a storm in her kitchen.
