Style rules I break
There are countless lists to be found on the rules to follow for cool, flawless styles. One of the most important factors of people with style in my observations, is that they know when to break the rules. Beauty is nothing without personality and no interesting signature style was built by coloring solely inside the lines. There is a fine line between being boorish and going overboard though. Pick your poison and wear your rebellion with grace. These are the rules I personally can’t be bothered to follow:
- Don’t mix gold and silver jewelry: Growing up, all the coolest women I admired mixed stones and metals of their jewelry. It just looks more effortless and real in my opinion. As if you inherited half of it and collected the rest during your lifetime. Just like the great advice of the best interior decorators I say; buy (and wear) the pieces you love and they will fit magically fit together somehow.
- No white after labor day: Stop listening to the peanut gallery. Nothing is more chic than a cream jean with an equally pristine sweater during the colder months. Add ankle boots and a navy- or Camel coat and you will give the all-black army a run for their style money.
- Accessories make an outfit: I can’t deny the truth of this statement for some cases. But I’ve never been an accessories kind of girl. I wear the same jewelry, shoes and bag with just about everything and I can still create a great outfit and come across as well dressed now and then. Friends of mine who debate bracelets and shoe nuances give me a headache. Proportion, color and contrast can also make an outfit. And when you are lazy like me and don’t work out the accessory details, this is really what you have to work with.
- Buy the classics (without incorporating personal style): When building your personal style- and wardrobe, inspiration lists of classic styles can be very useful. Don’t however be swayed into buying a list straight of the bat. Just because Audrey Hepburn wore pearls, they may not suit you. Aviators may smolder on some while making others look like they are wearing a Top Gun costume. A classic Camel coat will look fantastic on people with warmer coloring. However, if you are very pale and/or cool colored, a light Taupe or even a navy version might have a more flattering effect on you. You get the gist; you simply can’t cheat your way to style. By all means try everything out, but know when it works and when you should say; “thanks but that’s not for me”. Classic in history does not necessarily mean classic for you. Pick a handful of classics that work for you to avoid looking like you borrow other people’s clothes on a daily basis.
- Minimalistic is always a safe bet: Do not confuse minimalism with timelessness. A glamorous leopard coat is more classic than a minimalist black one in a trendy shape. Modern and simple does not equal timeless appeal. If a banana printed velvet pajamas from the 70s has stood the test of time still look cool today, it’s probably just cool, no matter what decade we live in. Or it suits you so well that you make it look timelessly cool, which is even better.
What style rules can you not seem to make yourself follow? Really curious about hearing from you guys on this one.
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