Fashion Rule Dark on Top Light Bottom

Your mama always told you never to article of clothing blackness with brown or white after Labor Mean solar day—but manner rules are meant to exist broken, right?

We're giving you lot permission to break all 50 of these quondam school rules.

50. Red and pinkish clash

Somewhere along the mode, these two shades got a bad reputation, only when paired purposefully, they can actually look quite modern and eye-catching. To intermission this fashion rule, keep the red truthful, and add any shade of pinkish, from pastel to fuchsia.

49. Don't wear white after labor mean solar day

Lame! Every bit endless designers have proved during the past few seasons, white isn't but appropriate when the weather gets cold, but as well amazingly fresh and mod-feeling. Ane matter to keep in mind when tackling the white-in-winter trend: It'southward all almost the material. Lighter textiles such equally white cotton, linen, canvas, and seersucker will surely look out of place during the chilly months of autumn and winter, then be sure yous're reaching for white wool, cashmere, mohair, flannel, silk, and leather.

MORE: The All-time Street Style from Paris Style Week Fall 2017

48. Don't vesture white shoes after labor solar day

Some other style dominion to interruption, equally several "It" designers including Céline, Mulberry, Pringle of Scotland consistently showcase white boots, loafers, and flats in winter-white leather and suede. Even fast-style spots similar Zara are starting to roll out white boots for fall, and then get on it!

47. Take off one accessory before leaving the business firm

Why? As fabulous women similarIris Apfel have proven time and time once more, piling on the bling tin can be fabulous and totally idiosyncratic.

Photo: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

46. Navy and black don't go together

This fashion dominion still has its fair share of subscribers, but let u.s.a. make it clear: Navy and black await super-chic together. The combo first started making waves during the Fall 2012 collections, as scores of designers including Carolina Herrera, Miu Miu, Gucci, Prabal Gurung and Céline incorporated blackness and navy into runway looks,while It-gals like Alexa Chung, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were quick to team upwards the hues. Even if it'due south only adding a pair of opaque blackness tights to a navy blue dress, it's a rule worth breaking.

45. Shorts are only for summer

Imitation. In that location's something incredibly cool and fuss-gratuitous about rocking a pair of shorts in the wintertime paired with opaque black tights and ankle booties. Stay away from shorts in summery fabrics like eyelet and cotton, simply go ahead and rock shorts fabricated from  leather, wool, jacquard, fifty-fifty denim cutoffs, which await super-absurd paired with ankle boots, tights, and a chunky sweater come fall and winter.

44. Mixed prints are too decorated

Really, mixed prints can expect extremely fresh, and elevate your look from ordinary to street-style set up in no fourth dimension. Street style pros know that anything goes when information technology comes to melding motifs (florals with stripes! polka dots with Ikat!), only beginners should start with this tip: Treating leopard like a neutral is the easiest way to pause into pattern mixing. Any colored print you choose, add a leopard belt, shoe, bag, blouse, or anything else.

Photograph: The Styleograph

43. You have to wear silvery or gold jewelry, non both

Equally we've seen on countless bloggers, street style stars, and celebrities, mixing metals when it comes to jewelry can look fresh and very now. The trick? Make it look deliberate every bit opposed to haphazard. The easiest fashion to do it is to up your arm-swag game by stacking bracelets in varying widths and shades of silver and aureate. Same goes for rings: layer several in argent and gold that are both thick and thin. To actually become for it, toss some rose aureate in the mix, likewise.

42. Petite girls tin can't clothing maxi skirts

It'south common style folklore that small women simply can't habiliment floor-grazing skirts and dresses, but luckily that's been proven entirely false. In fact, a well-cut maxi skirt tin can actually requite you the appearance of looking taller, every bit evidenced by petite gals likeRachel Bilson,Rachel Zoe, andMary-Kate Olsen. Choose solid versions that skim the length of your body, which volition create a long vertical line (forego anything with thick pleats or too many layers.) Be sure to keep your top fitted—a tucked-in T-shirt and a cropped leather jacket, for example—then equally to not drown in fabric. Also, make sure the brim'south hemline is equally long as you can go without tripping, and add a pair of wedges or heels underneath.

41. Or midi skirts

Skirts that autumn below the knee merely higher up the talocrural joint are ofttimes considered a don't for women who aren't long and lean, but if the proportions are right, they tin add a hit, oft retro appeal to any expect. Midi skirts with a slight flare can be super-flattering on smaller girls, and then long as they're paired with a dainty pair of heels and tucked-in or slightly shrunken tops, so as non to get swallowed upward in fabric.

Photo: Atlantic-Pacific

xl. Horizontal stripes make you expect larger

Horizontal lines making yous look wider is a pretty cliché "rule." Aye, a peel-tight shiny Spandex bodycon dress emblazoned with horizontal lines might simply look good on a model, only pieces that are fabricated well and fit well—recall a archetype cotton fiber Breton striped shirt tucked into nighttime jeans, or a ladylike full skirt with horizontal stripes—flatters every woman.

39. "Classics" accept to cost a ton of money

Most women can't or prefer not to drop a ton of cash on dress every flavor, fifty-fifty on the staples we're told will always exist in way. That's why off-price retailers such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Century 21 are and so swell for scoring real designer pieces at a fraction of the cost. Fifty-fifty several fast-fashion stores similar Zara and Uniqlo are upping their game and quality, offering an array of timelessly chic fashionable pieces such equally wool overcoats, leather Chelsea boots, wool and cashmere sweaters, and silk blouses at wallet-friendly prices.

38. You can't article of clothing red to a wedding

This somewhat ridiculous way rule was put into place during more conservative times when crimson was thought to exist a way-also-sexy, attention-stealing colour. Yep, y'all might want to stay away from wearing a peel-tight red plunging spandex gown to a wedding, but you probably don't want to wearable that in any color. These days, there are tons of high-style carmine dresses that look perfectly acceptable at weddings.

37. Fake fur and leather are tacky

Today, so many fashion-obsessed gals are also quite socially conscious, and retailers accept taken observe. Whereas faux fur and leather were one time cheap-looking and tawdry, many of today'southward pieces look virtually identical to the real thing.

36. Sneakers are only for the gym

Equally contempo trends have proven, the right pair of sneakers tin can take y'all way beyond the gym. Betwixt wedge sneakers, sideslip-on sneakers (a huge tendency for fall), and the rise of top bloggers and fashion insiders rocking sporty Nikes, New Balance, and Adidas kicks with everything from sleek skirts to leather pants, information technology's articulate that when styled with dressier pieces, sneakers can add a modern twist to an outfit that's not comprised solely of sweats.

Photograph: Camille Over the Rainbow

35. Every women must own a trench coat. Or ballet flats. Or a black shift clothes.

Don't those types of fashion rules feel wildly out of date these days? In that location's no mandate that says every woman has to own (or even similar) the "classic," by and large bourgeois items that constantly bear witness upwards on style insiders' essentials lists. Ballet flats not your thing? Suspension the "rule" and wear the flats you like instead.

34. You need shampoo to wash your hair

As curly girls well know, shampoo can actually strip thick and spirally hair of necessary oils, and be way besides harsh for delicate hair. Oftentimes, water and the right conditioner is enough, but if yous feel you take excessive product buildup, attempt using a piddling apple cider vinegar beforehand.

33. "Dry make clean only" tags are always correct

If a garment says it needs to be dry-cleaned, it won't injure to follow conform, simply that tin get pricey—particularly since some items technically don't demand to be professionally cleaned. Many high-finish brands that industry items in washable fabrics will often say "dry clean simply"  to go along up the higher-finish vibe. Furthermore, sure fabrics such as cashmere actually hold up better when they're washed by paw as opposed to getting dry-cleaned.

32. Dresses and pants don't mix

While y'all might not clothing a gown over a pair of trousers, there's something very modernistic about pairing a swingy mini-apparel with skinny jeans, or a flowing chiffon midi dress with leather leggings, a expect we've been seeing on runways and on street style stars lately.

31. Denim on denim is a manner false pas

Also known as a Canadian tuxedo, the easiest play a joke on to rocking double denim without looking like you got lost on the mode to the cattle ranch: Pair pieces of varying washes together, such every bit a light denim shirt with nighttime denim jeans, or a nighttime denim jacket with a lite-wash pair of denim shorts.

Photo: Mauricio Santana/Getty Images

29. You should always match your shoes, purse, and belt

That might have truthful in your grandma'southward day, only it'south total a non-issue in this mean solar day and age. In fact, matching all your accessories perfectly can make you look dated and matronly, whereas mixing things upward looks fresh and mod, and adds interest to an outfit.

28. Scarlet lipstick is but for evening

At ane time, bold beauty choices—a cerise lip or a smoky eye, for instance—were considered way too "evening" for daylight, just a brilliant ruby lip (or orange, pink, or deep plum) can human activity as its own accessory and liven up any daytime expect. If you practice become with a argument-making lip or eye while the sun'south out, be certain to keep the residual of your makeup minimal, and your outfit polished.

27. Tall women shouldn't clothing heels

This mandate isn't only featherbrained, just a piffling sexist, too. Stemming from a whole agglomeration of blowsy notions including arable tiptop isn't feminine, and a woman shouldn't describe extra attention to herself, this rule is one no adult female should e'er follow if they don't want to. We know enough of women who are almost half dozen feet tall and all the same stone three-inch heels with grace (and we're jealous).

26.  Sweatpants can never be worn outside the business firm

As recent sportif trends have showcased, a well-fitting pair of sweatpants tin can actually look very cool when paired with things like peep-toe booties or heels, and a structured blazer. Encounter how hither.

25. Only wear one bold color at a fourth dimension

If we've learned anything from the contempo color-blocking phenom, information technology's that a bold saturated hue tin expect even better when paired with another assuming saturated hue. Wearing an emerald dark-green silk blouse? Don't be agape to wear those fuchsia suede heels or carry that sunny yellow leather clutch—you'll look super-mod and striking.

Photo: Mr. Newton/Harper's Bazaar

24. Pastels are only for Easter or for springtime

This is so not truthful, specially in the wake of fall/winter 2013'south mega pastel overcoat trend, and general pale-pink-in-wintertime obsession.

23. One time a garment is ironed, it won't wrinkle

Actually, y'all should never put a garment on immediately later on ironing, every bit this can really cause new wrinkles to form. Instead, permit information technology sit for five minutes to set the printing.

22. Sunglasses have to be neutral

Blackness and tortoise frames will forever be in style, simply lately, trend-setting designers such asKaren Walker andStella McCartney,too as fashion-forward gals have ditched the super-night frames in favor of cool pastel styles. The shapes are varied—archetype wayfarer, round, cat-eye, square, hexagonal—and the shades are sweet (tangerine, mint, pink, lavender) or bold (cherry, yellow, or print.)

21. Actual menswear is merely for men

Apparently, yous're not going to pick up a suit at Rochester Big and Tall, simply you'd be surprised by how many fabricated-for-men pieces tin can work for you. This is specially true at common outposts like Forever 21, H&M, J. Crew, and Zara, whose men's stuff—think slim-cut button-downs, sweatshirts, sweaters, and utility jackets—often aren't as trendy equally their for-women counterparts, and offer a slightly slouchier fit.

20. Glitzy fabrics like sequins can't be worn during the day

A modern flim-flam to looking like the nearly effortlessly fashionable girl on the street: Pair dressy bottoms like a beaded brim, or sequin pants) with coincidental staples like a white shirt, a grey crew-cervix sweatshirt, or a black blazer.

Photo: Streetpeeper

xix. Sweatshirts are strictly casual wear

Once strictly for athletes, gym-goers, and errand-runners, the humble sweatshirt has risen to become such a very stylish staple. Need proof? Top designers like Kenzo,Phillip Lim, Cynthia Rowley, and Karen Walker have been showcasing versions that are embellished and printed, while street style stars starting pairing their sweatshirts with swingy skirts, skinny trousers, and statement necklaces.

18. Clear heels are for strippers

Lucite heels have a bad reputation for being common stripper fare, but several designers have embraced the clear heel mentality to create interesting shoes. The trick to look chic, not cheap? Make sure the heels are thick and boxy (or a wedge, like Maison Martin Margiela ten H&M's notable lucite wedges) and there'south no platform.

17.  Always buy the same size in clothes

As any adult female who'due south shopped high-way and fast-way knows, sizing can vary tremendously according to store, brand, and detail. Cheaper habiliment typically runs mode bigger, making it mutual for a adult female to wear, say, a size large pants at Forever 21, but however be a size 2 in Stella McCartney. Don't sweat the number, just rather pay attending to how things expect on your body.

sixteen. Clutches are only for nighttime

It seems the later on-hours staple is fast moving into daylight, as we've been spotting countless influencers using modest strap-free numberless during the 24-hour interval at Manner Week, on various style blogs, and right here in New York Metropolis on any given day. While some are fairly casual, like oversized leather clutches, others are dressy (i.due east., shiny gold clutches and beaded clutch bags), and all wait fabled with things like faded jeans.

fifteen. No curt skirts after 40

To be honest, we find the idea of age-advisable dressing quite slow. Indeed, nosotros agree that well-nigh women past the age of sixteen probably shouldn't wear certain things (One Direction T-Shirts, for example), but to tell a women she shouldn't wear a miniskirt because she's over 40 is ludicrous. Just make sure the skirt is paired with chic staples (and tights in the winter). Cheque out how good 42-year-sometimeSofia Coppola looks!

Photograph: Getty

14. Brown and black don't mix

This has long been a way rule that'south made to exist broken, equally black and brownish actually go together quite well. For case, how chic does it look when you wear blackness jeans, a blackness overcoat, and your trusty brown Chelsea boots? Or a brown leather skirt with a black turtleneck and black tights?

xiii. Fake diamonds are a fashion simulated pas

While fake designer bags are a hugedon't, simulated diamond studs in a reasonable size are a hugedo. Why? Because faux stones are hard to spot to the untrained eye.

12. An quondam coat is a lost cause

If you take an overcoat whose details are starting to wait dated, a practiced tailor can completely alter the length, swap out the buttons for something more mod, replace the lining with something heart-catching, like a pattern or a vivid colour, and sew on additions like a vintage fur collar.

11. Keep your shoes in shoeboxes

Nearly closet experts will say the opposite: Line shoes upwardly on the floor of your cupboard, or on shelves if you have room. This takes up less space and ensures y'all're always aware of what you have. If you're anxious about protecting them, invest in dust bags.

10. Don't wear socks and sandals

This is probably one of the biggest fashion rules out there, but lately it's being broken left and right past the way set, who rock socks and sandals with everything from jeans to swingy skirts. Sandals and tights also piece of work!

Photograph: ImaxTree

9. Jewelry boxes are best for storing your all your jewelry

The best way to store fashion jewelry, including Sterling Silvery, is in Ziploc bags. This helps pieces retain luster and reduces tarnishing and scratches.

viii. A shower is the just way to go rid of likewise much perfume

If yous spritz too much perfume on yourself, use unscented, oil-based makeup remover to remove excess perfume. Your co-workers will thank you!

7. Loose styles flatter plus-size women most

It's a myth that loose, flowy styles flatter a big bust or a plus-size woman. The area merely nether the bust is a adult female'southward smallest torso measurement, and then emphasizing it with a structured waistband that hits higher than your natural waist will make you wait a size smaller.

6. Jeans should be washed every bit much equally your other clothing

Denim aficionados know that raw denim can accept up to six months to suspension in and shouldn't be done until and then. Why? Jeans really practice accommodate to our bodies, and when yous wash them, most of the shape is lost. Most jeans today, yet, are treated (pre-washed to achieve a faded expect) and don't need to exist broken in. These you lot can launder more frequently, butonly when they're stained or when they kickoff to sag. To zap odors, hang them in the bath while you're showering or freeze them in a plastic purse for a day or two.

5. Overalls can't e'er be chic

We've seen this rule continually be cleaved by models, bloggers, and street style stars who regularly step out in slim-plumbing equipment denim overalls, or versions in modern fabrics like leather or silk, and pairing them with sleek staples similar blouses, wool overcoats, and classic pumps.

Photo: Street Fashion Seconds

4. Sheer tops tin can't be worn to work

The sheer trend has been gaining steam during the by few seasons, and while we wouldn't suggest wearing a see-through blouse with nothing underneath merely a bra to the role, pairing that blouse with a silk camisole at piece of work is perfectly advisable. Own a sheer T-shirt? Try layering it over a solid button-down for a very Céline-y styling play tricks.

3. Just dry clean your clothes after storing them, not before

Faux! If y'all're storing clothes in a storage unit of measurement, basement, or attic it's imperative to get the garments dry cleaned start, as moths and other pests are attracted to our everyday scents like perfume, food, deodorant, and fume. Same goes for numberless: Empty the contents earlier storing, equally crumbs tin concenter bugs, pens can leak, and lipsticks tin melt. Ew!

two. High-waist pants are always unflattering

High-waist bottoms get a bad rap (probably thanks to an unfortunate Jessica Simpson style mishap)—only when worn correctly, they can play tricks the eye into thinking y'all're taller and leaner by elongating your lower body. The about slimming item to choose areslightly high-rising slim-fitting jeans that hitting your ankle, or simple high-blackness black trousers.

1. Fashion rules are meant to exist followed and taken seriously

As yous tin come across, they're not. Habiliment what makes you feel awesome!

MORE: The Street-Style Guide to Wearing Yellowish

Originally published November 2013. Updated March 2017.

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