Style Rules I Break

Are you a rebel without a cause? A renegade and a rule-breaker. I sure am.

I know I might not look like the rebellious type, but trust me, I’m crazy.

I have worn pink dresses to Christmas parties. White after Labor Day. And crazy colors all year round.

That’s just how I roll.

But these aren’t the only style rules I break. In today’s video, I encourage you to break some longstanding fashion rules because, let’s face it, some of them don’t make any sense.

I told you I was crazy.

There. I said it.

And now, for those rules:

Wearing my Hair Wet

My hair is long, thick, and curly, and that’s why, even though letting it air-dry takes up to 24 hours, it’s still my method of choice. It also makes my hair look better. I’m not willing to compromise on good hair and all of that wasted time just to dry it, so wearing my hair wet is a rule I definitely break.

Wearing Too Many Accessories

My favorite accessories are fun, funky, and make a statement, and they’re definitely not for everyone. Accessories are one of the ways we truly demonstrate our style, and they are intensely personal, which is why I love them so much. Choosing accessories that truly speak to you is an essential step in truly expressing your personal style, and when you do, it won’t matter whether anyone else loves your choices.

Wearing Navy + Black & Brown + Black

Many of the colors we were always told not to wear together are the trendiest combinations today. Pink and red, orange and purple, and now, even navy or brown worn with black, probably one of the hardest combinations for most people to accept. I think it’s an elegant and unexpected choice, so I wear these combinations whenever I feel like they add to an outfit.

Shopping at Young Stores

Style is where you find it, and I can find something that I love at almost any store. It’s kind of a gift. 🙂 I find myself spending a lot of time in teen stores with my daughters, and have found them to be a decent source for basics and accessories. I recently picked up a couple of pairs of earrings at Francesca’s, for example, that I love. They also tend to be more affordable.

I found this red and pink sweater and white mules at Forever 21 and the pink pants are from Boohoo. Both very affordable, but I chose pieces that worked for me and made them my own.

Being Too Trendy

It’s more important to wear trends as we get older, not less important.

If we stop wearing trends just because we are getting older, we end up with style that is stuffy, dated, and frumpy. Keeping your outfits relatively current is essential. Because I love fashion, I’m always interested in what’s new, so that means I’m always trying new trends.

Trends are only worth trying if they flatter you. The bodysuit and distressed jeans combo here is definitely trendy, but by keeping the shapes and colors flattering, I found a balance that works for me.

Wearing White after Labor Day

I wear white year round, and not just because I live in Florida. I love unexpected colors in the winter, and white is such a mood boost and a favorite of mine. As long as the cut and fabric work for the season, wear it if you love it and it flatters you.

Exception: In some conservative Northeast cities, like D.C., white is not seen that often in the winter, and this is true of some professional workplaces as well.

Mixing Metals

I often mix metals in my outfits and it’s an important part of my personal style. When Kevin and I got married almost 20 years ago, everyone was doing platinum or white gold for engagement rings, but for the last few years, gold and rose gold have been trendy. I don’t want to be limited to just gold or just silvertone jewelry, so I mix it up all the time. I have a moto jacket with silver hardware that I wear frequently with gold accessories. The only rule is this: If your style is funky and fashion-y, mix metals with abandon. If you want a very polished, upscale, or classic look, stick to one metal.

Do you have any fashion rules that you bend a little or maybe even break altogether? And how is this an extension of your personal style? Let me know in the comments!