sure the brown doesn't appear black. Shy away from wearing chocolate brown with black. Definitely mix tans, taupe, brown
Hello, lovely! If we haven’t been formally introduced yet, please allow me to do so. My name is Deidra, and I am a personal fashion stylist, owner of Style by Deidra. Are you frustrated by fashion’s ever-changing rules? Feel like you can’t get a grasp of what is “in” or “out” from season to season? I heard it once said by fashion icon Lauren Hutton, “Fashion is what you’re offered every season. Style is what you do with it.” How true is that statement? Are you tired of hearing what you should be buying, get frustrated when you walk in a clothing store, or have a closet full of clothes yet nothing to wear? I have been there. Just a few short years ago I was frustrated because none of my clothes fit; I kept buying more clothes in hopes that I would finally feel good about myself. In reality, I had to start feeling confident from within and project that confidence to the world (ever heard of faking it till you make it?), and it didn’t start with buying a ton of new clothes. Rather, by utilizing my creative side to showcase my talent for making my current wardrobe feel different, and using the pieces I already had to showcase my current body shape, I was able to regain my confidence and become my true self again. This is what lead me to realize I could help other women accomplish the same thing – dress with confidence again in all aspects of life (whether it’s a board room or a first date), by teaching them how to accentuate their assets and camouflage concerns. Taking women personally shopping to eliminate the overwhelm, teaching in the process what unique shapes and colors flatter her, or even creating new outfits without even spending a dime. By using a myriad of backgrounds and life experience, from school teaching, coaching, art, and fashion retail experience, I obtained my certification as a personal stylist and color expert in order to empower women with the power of image and personal style. When I’m not creating magic with new outfits, I can be found traveling with my husband of 4 years and my tiny Chihuahua (the adorable Tinkerbell), staying active (either hiking or doing some sort of CrossFit style workout), enjoying new foods, gardening, playing hostess, or singing in the car (not well, I might add). Are you ready to start taking things up a notch? Your style, love life, career goals, health, image, social life? All of the above? Then you my dear, are in the right place! Let’s start with the 10 Fashion Rules to Break. These rules will not only change your everyday life (because seriously, who has time to switch out a purse every day to match shoes?), but will also help you develop your unique signature style.
10 Fashion Rules to Break 1. No white after Labor Day Stemming from the southern days of debutante balls and BBQ’s set on the plantation of Tara, white was a strict nono in-between the dates of Labor Day and Memorial Day weekend. Well, no offense to Scarlett O-hara, but I love the look of white after September! This one is a no-brainier, of course white can be worn yearround. Try a fresh monochromatic look by mixing shades of white, creams, grey, or tan. White can instantly elevate your look from drab to chic, as long as it is not dingy or dirty! Winter white has even become a huge trend of the fashionsavvy the past few years. When wearing white in the chilly months, look for a hint of warmth to your white. Stark white looks harsh on any skin tone, so even a subtle hint of cream to the tone will work wonders for your complexion.
2. Belt and Shoes Must Match If you choose to match your belt and shoes that is great, but don’t let the fact that you don’t have the perfect belt keep you from wearing your statement boots or heels. I do have a caveat to this rule to break… If you are mixing tones of brown and black together (see number 5 below for more on this topic) I would suggest having your belt and shoes coordinate. This will just help your mixing of brown and black seem intentional.
3- No mixing gold and silver or Metals Long gone are the days when mixing metals is fauxpaux. Silver and gold aren’t just song lyrics, mix together your golds, silver, copper, rose golds, bronze, whatever! I especially love when a piece of jewelry already does the metal mixing for you. Check out pieces by my favorite jewelry designer, Jenny Bird for instant metal overload. Her Artimis collar necklace has the perfect juxtaposition of silver and gold. That way when you pick earrings to go with your necklace, pick your preference of silver or gold metal.
4. Never Pair Blue and Black This stems from the fact that navy and black are easily mistaken for one another. Just make sure the black and blue are distinguishable. Another easy pairing of blue and black is cobalt blue with black, color-blocking made simple! If you are still leery of trying this trend, look for a texture, that way it is clear that you are mixing the two colors intentionally.
5- Black and Brown Don't Go Together I am so glad this rule is meant to be broken! The 16 year-old me would have cringed at the thought of wearing brown and black together, but now an older and wiser Deidra loves it! Think about it, we see these neutrals occurring together in nature all the time. Leopard print anyone? The key to pulling off this pair is to make sure the brown doesn’t appear black. Shy away from wearing chocolate brown with black. Definitely mix tans, taupe, brown, leopard, cognac, whiskey, all with black.
6- No Mixing Prints
Definitely not for the faint of heart, but when done expertly, mixing prints is very fashionforward. If new, start easy by pairing stripes and florals (just think, we see this on our lawns: a rose bush in front of a white picket fence), or plaids and leopards. Gradually move to more advanced combos!
For an even easier toe in the print-mixing water, try a lace fabric with a print such as stripes or polka dots. The lace pattern will be subtle enough to not compete with the graphics of the stripes or dots. In order to mix prints of a similar nature, play with size. Pick one print in a bold and large size (like a large floral print), mixed with similar colors in a similar pattern, but smaller in size (like a smaller version of the same print or similar in nature).
For inspiration, just watch The Mindy Project on Hulu. Dr. Mindy Lahiri is the expert in mixing prints and textures!
7- Bags and Purses Must Match Your Shoes Who has time to switch purses every day according to your outfit? A playful mix of accessories can easily elevate an otherwise basic look. A bold statement purse can make you feel polished when running to target in your jeans and sneakers. Heck, even a structured polished lady tote can make your athleisure wear go from gym to drinks.
8- Only Tall Women Can Wear Long Dresses, Maxis, or Duster Length Sweaters Great tailoring is the key to wearing long pieces, even if you are on the short side. Make sure hemlines barely graze the floor and you will actually appear taller and thinner! Any time we can create the column effect with longline pieces, it will always make one appear taller, especially when worn in a solid color. Ideas for long pieces: long line sweaters, dusters, vests, jewelry, maxi dresses/skirts, even long scarves can create the illusion of length on the body.
9- Sparkles Are For After-Hours Only Why not get more use out of that glittery tank or skirt? Keep the shine to only one item, and mix high-and-low pieces to transition the sparkle into daytime appropriateness. Try a sequin skirt paired with a denim shirt, edgy booties, and minimal jewelry work for happy hour. Need it to feel more day-time appropriate? Mix sequins with sneakers and textures like knit sweaters, denim, or even leather. When in doubt, just throw on a sparkly statement necklace with a simple top to shine with ease. Why wait till New Year’s Eve rolls around to add some sparkle?
10- Tights or Pantyhose Must be Worn Think like a 20s flapper and buck tradition, pantyhose is completely outdated. This rule is especially true if one is considering wearing nude/flesh toned hose. I shudder at the thought. If you really want something on your legs or if you are just dying to wear dresses and skirts in the cold months (believe me, I get it!), ditch the nude nylons and go for an opaque tight, fishnet nylon (as long as the hemline is at the knee for this texture), or even colored tights. The sky is the limit here – try prints, patterns, colors, and vary the opacity. And one last YES, you can wear these types of hosiery with open-toed shoes, underneath jeans with lots of holes, or even under shorts. Are you ready to start breaking some, if not all of these rules? I love to see how people incorporate these non-rules into daily life. Upload a pic to social media and use the hashtag #stylebydeidrarulestobreak so we can all see the way you are breaking the rules!
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Copyright, 2017 by Deidra Murphy
