During this season, we may want to practice an attitude of gratitude that reflects all the things we are grateful for and operates from a place of abundance rather than scarcity and fear. This is an unprecedented time when scarcity and fear seem to dominate the media. Even though it may be difficult, we can choose to focus on the positive and discover the silver lining in all circumstances.
Melody Beattie, an American author of self-help books says, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity.”
As an image consultant, I am grateful that we are no longer bound by fashion rules. This is an exciting time for designers, no rules rule the fashion industry! Creativity abounds!
From an early age, my mom selected my clothes: I was told what to wear and what not to wear. The old rules of fashion were instilled in us before we understood them. Now it’s common to see young children wearing mismatched articles of clothing to express their freedom and creativity. Today we can wear style that make us feel bold, confident, and ready to tackle any obstacle.
Let’s bid farewell to these 10 outdated fashion rules:
- No White After Labor Day – This rule may have started to differentiate the wealthy from the working class, but it is outdated. White can be worn year-round, especially in the warmer climates.
- No Sleeveless Dresses at the Workplace- As the temperature in the summer soared,
sleeveless attire wasn’t an option to stay cool. It’s hard to believe that this archaic rule prevailed until 2017 when congresswomen protested for the “right to bare arms.” It literally took an act of Congress to show a little shoulder in the workplace. - Hosiery with Dresses and Skirts – It was once a sign of class and respectability to wear pantyhose. This practice has done a 180 and now stockings are unfashionable. Thank goodness we don’t need to worry about getting a run anymore!
- Don’t Pair Black with Brown – This rule is now stylishly broken because many shades of brown look awesome with black. Plus, leopards look great donning this color scheme that now is a staple in the fashion world.
- Don’t Pair Navy with Black- This rule is obsolete because there are many ways to pair these two colors. Black shoes look great with navy pants and dark washed jeans. Give your navy-black look more life with a pop of color!
- Matching Shoes & Handbags– It was once the style to have your handbag and shoes match perfectly for each outfit. Now it’s more fun to have contrasting pieces!
- No Mixed Prints– Mixing prints is no longer a fashion faux pas. Designers have creatively
mixed polka dots and stripes as well as other prints and colors to make a splash. It’s a great way to stand out from the crowd! - Match Your Jewelry- We were once obligated to decide on one jewelry finish and stick with it for life. If our wedding band was yellow gold, we were restricted to yellow gold earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. These limitations no longer exist. Jewelry has broken the mold by mixing metals, and you can do the same. The best way to shake up an outfit is to accessorize!
- Women Can’t wear Men’s Clothes and Vice Versa- In the past women wore dresses and men wore suits. Katherine Hepburn was a trend setter who preferred menswear inspired outfits like collared shirts and blazers, trousers, and loafers. Today androgynous fashion that embraces one’s identity is common. Rules pertaining to how males and females should dress no longer exist, so suits and skirts can be worn by either gender.
- Plus Size Clothes Shouldn’t be Form Fitting- Wearing baggy plus sized clothing doesn’t flatter one’s silhouette, just the opposite it creates a larger appearance. Select styles that fit and skim your shape for your best look.
Do you still adhere to any of these fashion rules? You may be like me, a rule breaker, who isn’t restricted by the antiquated fashion norms. After all, style is an expression of your essence; it reflects who you are. I’m grateful that we have the freedom to dress however we want!
