Fashion "Rules": I Nag My Favorite Bloggers

Google "fashion rules", 

and surprisingly enough,

 you'll find an astonishing number of ways to break them.

In fact, it seems that the fashion community as a whole doesn't really enjoy being told what to do. 
Meaning that, at this point, it's almost as standard to say that "the only rule of fashion is that there are no rules" as it is to cite a traditional one (no black with blue, no clashing colors, no whites aft-- you get it).

Yet, though they're not universal, I truly think that most of us do have a couple of real criteria, 
whether they be conscious or not, 
to which we refer when shopping, styling, wearing, gawking, etc, etc.

They're what allow for "personal style". 
We break each others "rules", and in doing so, we distinguish ourselves as independent-minded individuals - as repellers, salads, songs, snake's nests, scrapbooks, and ... sconnies.

Though these "Rules" are likely closer to "Instincts", they're what set us apart from others and keep us authentic.

If I'm honest with myself, I can tell when I'm breaking one for the sake of social acceptance - reminding myself time and time again how ingrained into my psyche they truly are.

Every once and a while, though, I'll disobey - i.e. go outside of my "comfort zone", usually for the sake of experimentation. 

Typically this goes awry; 

see: green eyeshadow, textured tights, low-rise shorts, underwear 

(kidding)

But on the rare occasion that I do get lucky, and write a new 'rule', I discover a part of myself I never knew existed.

And even though the formula for generating these seldom successful situations eludes me,
I guess, in the end, I'm just a little ol' cliche myself: 
Advocating the breaking of the very same rules to which I at first so heartily adhered.

Anyhow, if you pay attention to any of the text in this post, do not make it that which lays above. 
Instead, turn your attention to the "rules" of a few of my favorite fashion bloggers BELOW... 
And maybe they'll help you pinpoint your own ?

Here goes: 

1. Colby Milano from Moeh Fashion

"So I definitely have "fashion rules" for my shopping process which, I only became aware about more recently. It goes a little something like this...

I tend to walk into a store, naturally do a lap, and pull almost every piece that I'm attracted to. This usually ends up taking some sort of color, fabric, or overall style story that I'm into at that time in my life. Once I think I'm done scoping the premises I will look at each piece individually and ask myself "do I really need this?" or think "I literally have something exactly like this" or last but not least "ugh I die for this, need it in my life, NOW". Anyway, after all of that nonsense, I sort to see what I really should be buying and that's how I go about creating my very diverse closet."

2. Bethany Struble of Snake's Nest

"I tend to stick to basics. When shopping, I usually think about what would work with other things I already have in my closet. Other than that I just wear what I feel like wearing!"

3. Gals from Pardon My Fashion

Brittany's (subconscious) Rules for Getting Dressed: 

"Fashion has an expiration date, and in the age of instant information it's here before you can say "Wedge Sneakers". When getting dressed I ask myself, does this feel FRESH? Also, don't be (too) swayed by trends. (Chelsea keeps me in check there...I have trendy tendencies.) And be careful not to be matchy-matchy or over accesorized...that is the WORST. THE WORST."

Chelsea: "Don't second guess yourself. Go with your gut...or else you will leave behind the perfect skirt and regret it forever! (I mean, you can't just go back to Salvation Army or Goodwill and find it...)"

4. Ashley from The Photogramps

"That's a tough question. My first instinct is to say 'the only rule is there is NO RULES!!!' But that seems a bit cliche [editor's note: similarity to post text = crazy coincidence]. 

I suppose quality over quantity is becoming a big thing for me. For the past year I've been sticking to this mantra when shopping, and I definitely feel more chic and pulled together. Even when I'm wearing a t shirt and jeans. (FYI a vintage Bruce Springsteen tee counts a quality!!!!)"

5. Brooke of What2Wear: The Fashion Obsessed Mom Chronicles

"I'd have to say my rule of thumb (or lack there of) is I ALWAYS ask myself "is this expected?" I hate playing it safe, if the outfit looks like all of the other let's call it "fluff" out there then I like to pick a piece to make it unique. I think the easiest way to create a unique style is to keep your mind open to all styles and to pair unexpected items together like a  graphic tee with a flouncy skirt."

6. Abigail from Far and Wild Jewelry

"there's only really one rule to which i stick hard and fast when shopping, getting dressed, or draping myself in jewels: trust your gut. it's a rule that sounds easy enough but try putting it into practice and you'll see that it's no easy feat when trying to find your footing amid myriad trends and the general pageantry that has become fashion today. it's a rule that i wish i had adhered to more closely during the sartorial missteps of my foolish youth. is your gut really telling you that you look great in zebra biker shorts and an animal backpack? i didn't think so. is your gut really telling you that you need that pile of butterfly clips and chokers from claire's? again, didn't think so. and more recently, was your gut telling you that the kilim and leather purse you found in the moroccan souk was a beautifully unique investment piece? big time. but did you listen? no, and i've regretted it every day since. but if our fashion errs aren't behind us they're in front of us so i'll happily live and learn and listen up. if something is right, deep down you know it. this applies to trends, purchases, and outfits. just because something works for someone else doesn't mean it works for you. for example, coco chanel once advised to look in the mirror and take one thing off before leaving the house but there is a whole legion of women; i.e. the man repeller, jennifer fisher, aimee song; who have made names for themselves by saying fuck that and doing what works for them. there's no rule you can't break and no trend you can't follow if you feel totally comfortable and confident doing so."

6. Gaby of Collections
"My number one fashion rule is what I'm going to call anti-size phobia. What does that mean you ask? That means that I shop in all sections of a store, plus size, men size... I just don't care about size. People are often afraid to purchase something that may be too big or, "the wrong size". Guess what? If I'm a large in one store it's totally plausible that I'm an XXL in another and I don't let that size scare me. I own that size. I proudly walk up to the sales associate and ask for the largest they have because if I want something I'm going to get it regardless of if I have to tell a friend it's the biggest size in the store. As long as it looks good on (and is not too small) I'm all for it. I have no desire to squeeze myself into something just for the pleasure of saying it's a size small. I'm a proud size large (and xl) and I'd love the world to know it."

So there you have it. 

They're pretty 

AND

they talk too. 

Miracles happen, once in a while, when you believe....

Cheers.

PS: puh-lease, someone, tell me that you got that Princess Diaries soundtrack reference.




Photos (of me) by MATT ENGELHART