The Laws of Fashion

In an attempt to de-bunk some of fashion’s most outdated rules, I have created a more accurate set of guidelines every individual should follow in order to stay “on trend.” I hope you find this guide helpful and learn something new about your own style!

1. ALWAYS wear white after Labor Day

White is a year-round color. In fact, ALL colors are year-round colors! Why would a specific day in the year have ANY affect on what colors you can wear in your wardrobe? The intent of the “original” rule was to rule out white as a Fall/Winter color, but why?? White is actually incredibly chic in winter. Just check out the entire Chanel Fall/Winter collection of 2019, to see Chanel’s giant middle finger to that outdated rule. Try wearing a solid white set paired with some black accessories and bold red lip for a take on classic Chanel. Or pairing your favorite white slacks with a chunky white sweater and neutral accents. Carry your white jeans into fall with cool brown accents, and better yet, break two rules with one ‘fit and make the accents suede!

2. DARE to mix prints

This is one I always found incredibly intimidating, like it took a special skill or particular eye to be able to pair two completely different patterns/prints together. However, it is not as difficult as it seems! Just apply the same guidelines when pairing a solid with a multi color item— find like colors! For example, if your blue floral skirt has white detailing, try pairing it with your white blouse with green stripe details (that is if you even own these items—but you see my point). You can also try wearing items with the same pattern, but inverted colors, or treating stripes as a “neutral” that can be paired with anything. The options are limitless, have fun with it. Walk with confidence and no one will question you.

3. HAVE FUN pairing bold colors

I’m sure you’ve heard the no black with blue, pink with red, black with brown, or green with blue “rules” before. But as you can clearly see, these colors pair FABULOUSLY! An effective way to pull this off is a strategy called “color blocking.” As you can see in the examples I’ve provided, the items these individuals have chosen to pair are not heavy with pattern or texture. They are simply two very bold solids paired together to create dramatic contrast. It is also helpful to avoid matching accessories with either of your garment color choices as to avoid being too “matchy-matchy.” You can see white was a common theme of accessory when using this strategy. Finally, you can create this effect of extreme contrast by pairing it with (wait for it…) the SEASON. People still believe in “seasonal color schemes” to this day and follow religiously. Even though black and brown make a gorgeous fall/winter wardrobe, try wearing something exotic like a yellow coat or magenta blazer to stand out in a crowd.

4. TRY mixing metals

Who says outfits are all about the clothes you’re wearing? Accessories can be fun too! Playing with color is something we talk about frequently in fashion, but another fun thing to play with is metal and textures. Most people stick to pairing their silver chains with their silver hoops, or gold rings with gold studs. But silver and gold actually look GREAT together! It’s a way to make your outfit seem a little more unique and put together without being obvious. Or you could try the Iris Apfel method and just go for it ALL. She’s absolutely fabulous and LOVES her accessories. She plays around with mismatched metals, textures, beading, size… you name it, she’s done it!

5. DEFINITELY try Midis and Maxis if you’re petite

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard midi/maxi styles don’t “work” for short people. This is completely FALSE! Now you’re probably thinking “well I’ve tried them on in store, and they were too long.” Because of how unique every single human on this earth is, it is impossible to capture EVERY unique fit to sell in stores. Some fashion companies try to tackle this by acknowledging differentiations in human height, body build and shape, by having “petite” or “curve” lines. But even this will fall short (no pun intended) sometimes. That’s where tailoring comes in! This might strike you as expensive, or inconvenient, but it’s always an option! Simply taking up the hem of a garment can cost as little as $10! Now I’m not saying it’s cheap enough to fill your wardrobe with maxis now. But never rule out a style you find and love because it’s too long for you. Just check out these striking ladies here, most don’t stand over 5’2” and the length of their skirts actually adds quite a bit of length to their figures. Pair with comfy flats, or 5 inch heels and you’ll look just as amazing as your fellow giraffe friends!

6. DON’T hesitate to wear high heels if you’re tall

On the other hand, not only are women criticized for being “too short” to wear certain items, but they’re ALSO criticized for being… What? Too tall??? BINGO, welcome to life as a woman, where it is physically impossible to meet the world’s standard of beauty for us. So many women have ruled out heels over 2” for life because they’ve either been judged or ridiculed for the very quality that makes them beautifully unique; and others to succumb to insecure men who have made them feel less than. NOT ALL women have chosen this for these reasons, some girls (like myself) simply don’t care for the pain, and find dancing a lot easier in some comfy sneakers ;). However, women (and all humans) look AMAZING in heels! Just look at Miss Swift here and her absolutely breathtaking LENGTH! Or the Queen of “embracing her height,” Gwendoline Christie. Also check out the two happy couples here that have never let height difference affect them. Both ladies stand taller than their husbands, but have never sacrificed a great heel. However, if you’re looking for photo hacks to make your poses together more natural, position yourself closer to the camera than your man (as seen here by the Jonas’s), or do as Jason and Rosie have done in the past and utilize a staircase. 

(Again, this is not to make your s.o. feel more comfortable being around you, this is just to help capture that perfect ‘gram;) )

7. FLATTER your figure with horizontal stripes

Yes figures, yes lines!!! Despite what you may have heard, horizontal stripes look amazing on all bodies. In fact, they can be MORE flattering than vertical! A prime case would of course have to be made by the fashion queen herself, Miss Rihanna. See how the horizontal lines actually help to emphasize her curves in the best way. They help to draw attention to a cinched waist with shorter lines, while stretching longer around her gorgeous hips showing off her wonderful hourglass shape! Even if you choose to wear this style less fitted, it still looks amazing on the body. Just be sure the garment fits YOUR body. Like any other clothing article, if it doesn’t fit properly (whether its squeezing too tight or swallowing you whole), it’s not going to look great. Find your right fit and you’ll see the awesome results of a great horizontal line. 

8. EXPOSE your intimates

There was a time when women could not expose their ankles, knees, chests, shoulders… Our bra straps had to be covered in class, panties needed to be seamless. Today, I am proud to say that ladies have decided to take back control of their own bodies. What has been deemed inappropriate, provocative, or inherently sexual about our natural born bodies in the past, is now being redefined by the people that OWN THEM. The exposing of a bra or corset is not to seduce men. Showing the hem of tights or garters is not to draw the male gaze. It is simply an empowering act by women to take back ownership of their bodies and how they choose to dress them. The bra is not sexual, it is there for comfort and support (if she so chooses), and it happens to look incredibly chic when paired with a mens-fit blazer. The corset is not to conform to your perfect mold of a “womanly body,” it simply looks great over a mens dress shirt! So quit trying to put women in a box whose sole purpose in this world is to visually please you. She’s a BOSS lady who is great at her job, is loved by her friends and family, and has a huge heart with a kickass sense of style ;) She’s a human, like you, treat her as such.

9. TRY socks with sandals

Does anyone else think of that bop “Socks with Sandals” from Sonny with a Chance on Disney Channel when thinking of this trend, or is that just me? This trend has long been joked about as being “dorky” or tacky, but it’s actually supercomfy?! So why not! Some truly stylish individuals decided one day to try it with their favorite pair of heels, and bippity-bopping-boo the rest is history. Check out Keke Palmer’s super flirty take on the trend, or Kaia Gerber’s relaxed, comfort-chic style (a go to for me). Adding flirty touches like a frilly hem, a fun print, or shimmer effect to the sock adds that extra touch of flare that can’t be mistaken for a lazy or tacky ‘fit.

10. DON’T assume quality is expensive

This is one that takes a little time and personal research to learn on your own. A lot of people go straight for the luxury designers when all they’re looking for is quality that will last. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and definitely not a foolproof method of shopping. Some luxury designers bank on the fact that they can just sell their name. Now don’t get me wrong, of course a lot of luxury items have been crafted with a lot of love and care, (and a lot of expensive materials)— but you don’t always have to break the bank in order to find items that will last. Some brands put a lot of pride and care into creating products that will hold up for their consumer (this keeps you coming back for more, no?). Some examples of great brands are Uniqlo and Everlane, that have found a great balance of cost and quality. Now this is not always the case for fast-fashion giant Zara, but I personally have a $50 blazer hanging in my closet from 5 years ago that’s held its shape, color, and seams phenomenally (however I’ve also had some wear out after 6 months). Definitely do your research on how to recognize quality of garments based on basic knowledge of fabrics and construction. You don’t have to take a whole class in order to recognize quality, the internet is a wonderful resource and with just a quick search of “how to recognize quality garments” you’ll find thousands of quick reference guides to help you make the distinction yourself!

11. EMPHASIZE those curves

Say it louder for the people in the back; Women have shape. They have curves. They are different sizes. They have thicc thighs, or huge boobs, or BOTH (or neither!). They get pregnant and have big, beautiful round bellies that create life. They are ALL perfect and deserve to show off what makes them beautifully unique! Loose clothing is obviously very comfortable (it is all I have worn in quarantine), however reaching for that hot body con dress in the closet should be an option for ALL. The shape of your body should not have an affect on what you’re socially “allowed” to wear in order to look good to others. Wear what YOU like, and what YOU feel good in. If you are insecure about your stomach, thats okay! You can opt for a looser top with skinny jeans or pencil skirt. Or try a peplum style like Mindy Kaling. Don’t love your thighs? Cinch your waist with a fitted top or belt and wear a wide leg trouser or a-line skirt! But never feel like you are trapped in a certain style because of what others might think. Embrace the body that allows you to live and breathe and carry you where you want to go, each and every day. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.

12. ROCK pastels in the winter

Again with the seasonal color restrictions… It’s actually a lot of fun to stand out, I recommend to literally ANYONE, even if you don’t really care about fashion. And you WILL stand out when you break these seasonal color molds. In a sea full of Olsen twins (who always look immaculate by the way), be a Zendaya! This outfit she wore for the TommyXZendaya model casting last winter slayed. It actually made headlines just for being the color it was. It also looks remarkable on the late and dearest Chadwick Boseman, (a gift truly lost too soon). Lavender is also a gorgeous color year round, and baby pink and yellow are not just for Spring! Try this winter and I guarantee you’ll be turning heads.

13. SWEATS show effort

Lately our sweats have been worn for their initial intended purposes— lounging about in the comfort and safety of our own homes. But once upon a long, long time ago, people would actually leave their houses! So much so in fact, that they actually cared a lot about comfort outside the home too! And so came the rise of “stylish” sweatpants. People began to wear their sweats with a pair of heels and tailored blazer for a comfy wear-to-work look; or with a dressy sweater and coat to hit the town! Fashion companies began to pick up on this and decided to make it even easier for us to get away with sweats at dinner or work. They started introducing them in “dressier” fabrics, stylized hardware, and fashion features such as pleats, that now sometimes make them indistinguishable from your classic slacks!

14. ALWAYS repeat outfits

Let’s be honest, we are not all Jeff Bezos here with unlimited funds and too many closets to fill. In my personal experience, a NYC apartment is large enough to fit a bed and dresser, and a closet not even big enough to fit your own person. Half my income goes to taxes and overpriced alcohol, and the rest I try to balance between saving and trying to dress impeccably. So yeah, sometimes, you’ll need to repeat an outfit, so what! Of course it’s nice to get new clothes constantly, but the reality is, this isn’t always a possibility, and definitely not a priority! So rewear that outfit you already got a million compliments on because obviously, it worked! But there are also different methods to help switch up your wardrobe occasionally that stay within budget! For example, I get pretty tired and bored of summer clothes fairly quickly. So instead of buying new, I use Rent the Runway unlimited! Pay a monthly subscription and choose from thousands of available options weekly! You can have up to 4 items at a time so anytime you get bored or want to try something new, send it back and pick something else! It’s literally an unlimited closet for less than the cost of 1 new outfit!

15. NEVER follow fashion rules

Last, but certainly not least, DON’T follow rules! If there is anything you learn here today, make it this. Fashion is meant to be fun! It’s creative expression, it’s art. It’s how you tell the world who you are without saying anything! For so long people have tried to fit others in a mold that works or is suitable for them. And in an attempt to silence art or ideas that differentiate from their own, they lash out and shame those who are just to being themselves! Rihanna recently admittedthat one of her most iconic looks of all time, she felt briefly embarrassed by! She felt it was “too much” and worried about others’ judgement. Often the outfits that stand out the most, end up being the most memorable and iconic! Also realize that fashion isn’t offensive, and it isn’t always trying to “make a statement.” Yes, absolutely it IS a great tool to do this! However some people just like skirts. The comfort and airflow of a maxi in the summer is ***chef’s kiss. Some people like to show a lot of skin— a round of applause for them! They clearly love their body and want to show it off! Unfortunately, not a lot of people feel this way about their bodies and will struggle with them their whole life. Fashion is art and can be sculptural and exotic, but rather than it appearing in the museum, it is put on display using the human body. Where people look at pieces like Gaga’s heels and laugh and question the ridiculousness of it, a designer sat in their studio and took inspiration from other art forms, sketched up an idea they were proud of, selected fabrics and materials, and worked with craftsmen to make their ideas come to life! Play and have fun with fashion, or don’t! Everyone has different passions and preferences of self-expression! In the wise (but updated) words of Michael Scott “this is something I live by. And I always have. And I always will. Don’t ever, for any reason, do anything, to anyone, for any reason, ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who or who you’re with, or where you are going, or where you’ve been. Ever. For any reason. Whatsoever…” [put anyone else in a box to conform to your own. Everyone’s unique, let them be just that].