Fashion Rules to Live By (And Sometimes Break!)
Fashion is all about self-expression, but there are some golden rules that can guide you to slay your look every single day. Whether you're dressing for the office, a night out, or a lazy day at home, these fashion commandments will help you stay stylish and confident—while leaving just enough room to break them when the mood strikes.
- Comfort is King No matter how stylish something is, if it’s uncomfortable, you won’t look your best. Confidence and comfort go hand-in-hand. Invest in pieces that make you feel good and allow you to move with ease, because there's nothing worse than squirming in too-tight pants or hobbling in painful shoes.
Break It: Sometimes, it’s worth a little discomfort for a show-stopping outfit. Those sky-high heels? Maybe just for that special occasion where you’ll be sitting more than standing!
- Fit Matters More Than Size We’ve all been there—obsessing over the number on the tag. The secret? Forget the size and focus on the fit! A perfectly tailored piece can make you feel like a million bucks, while something ill-fitting (even if it’s your "size") can throw off your entire look. Clothes should hug your body in all the right places, making you feel comfortable and confident.
Break It: Oversized clothing can be incredibly chic! Just make sure there’s balance. If you’re going big on top, go slim on the bottom (or vice versa).
- Denim Goes with Everything Need a no-fail, easy outfit? Reach for your favorite pair of jeans. Denim is one of those magical fabrics that goes with just about anything. You can dress it up with a blazer and heels or keep it casual with a T-shirt and sneakers. A good pair of jeans can take you from brunch to date night without missing a beat.
Break It: Denim-on-denim can totally work, despite what you’ve heard. The trick is to mix different shades or textures—think a light-wash jacket with dark jeans for a stylish contrast.
- Play With Prints, But Don’t Go Overboard Prints are an amazing way to inject personality into your look, but mixing too many busy patterns can get a little wild. If you’re rocking a bold print, keep the rest of your outfit simple to avoid visual overload. Let that print be the star of the show!
Break It: Feeling bold? Go all-in with print mixing! The key is to keep at least one color consistent between the prints, or try mixing patterns of different scales (like a large floral with a smaller polka dot).
- Accessories Make the Outfit A great outfit without accessories is like cake without icing—it’s just not complete. Accessories are where you can have fun and show your personality. From oversized hats to statement earrings, sunglasses, scarves, and belts, the right accessory can take your look from basic to brilliant in seconds.
Break It: While accessories are fun, sometimes a minimalist look works wonders. Let the clothes speak for themselves with no frills attached.
- Always Have a Go-To Outfit There will be days when you feel like you have nothing to wear. For those moments of wardrobe panic, always have a trusty, go-to outfit on standby—something that makes you feel amazing and requires zero thought. Whether it’s your favorite little black dress or a chic jeans-and-blazer combo, keep it on hand for those “I have nothing to wear” days.
Break It: Try rotating your go-to outfit seasonally. Keep it fresh by adding one trend-forward item to your mix, like a new pair of boots or a statement jacket.
- Invest in Timeless Basics Trendy pieces come and go, but timeless basics like a crisp white shirt, tailored blazer, and classic black pumps are forever. These are the wardrobe workhorses that will never fail you, and you can easily mix them with trendier pieces for a modern twist.
Break It: Feel free to experiment with bold, “out-there” pieces once in a while. Fashion should be fun, after all, and trends can be a great way to express yourself.
- Dress for the Occasion Showing up to a wedding in sneakers might not be the best look (unless it’s that kind of wedding!). Always consider the occasion when putting together an outfit. A great rule of thumb: it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. At least you’ll be remembered for making an effort!
Break It: Feel like showing off your unique style? Bend the dress code rules just a little to put your personal spin on things. Maybe wear those sneakers, but pair them with a chic dress or tailored suit for a fun, unexpected twist.
- Color is Your Friend Don’t be afraid of color! Wearing color can brighten your mood and make you stand out in a sea of neutrals. Experiment with different hues to find what works for your skin tone, and don’t shy away from bolder shades like red, cobalt blue, or emerald green.
Break It: Neutrals are a classic for a reason. If you’re not feeling the color one day, opt for a sleek, monochromatic look in black, white, or nude tones. Sometimes, less really is more.
- Confidence is the Best Accessory No matter what you’re wearing, the key to pulling off any outfit is confidence. When you feel good, you look good. So strut your stuff, own your look, and remember that the best part of any outfit is the person wearing it.
Break It: Just kidding! There’s no breaking this rule. Confidence is always in style. --- Fashion is meant to be fun, so while these rules are helpful, don’t take them too seriously. The best style is one that reflects you, and sometimes, the most memorable outfits come from breaking a few rules along the way.