Update Your Fashion Rules

I don't remember the matrons in my life being terribly interested in fashion when I was growing up and yet they all knew the same set of fashion dos and don'ts somehow and followed them religiously.  In spite of the fact that none of them ever really seemed to notice or care what I was wearing, if I committed a fashion crime, they were swift to *tsk, *tsk, and reprimand me. I couldn't understand how they knew these things or why we all had to obey....and a little curious what would happen if we all just didn't anymore. 

Sometimes these silly fashion rules come along and for whatever reason, we all just go along with them unquestioningly.  No one knows exactly why we should or shouldn't do...whatever..., we just know we're supposed to abide by said rule, especially when “all the experts” say so.  Even more baffling is the way that these rules stick around for generations.  Ah, but it seems as though the winds of change are finally coming fashion's way.

In the last couple of years we (“we” being the fashion world and the general clothing wearing public) have done away with a number of strict fashion rules that have been around for decades like the one about not wearing white after labor day and the one that says you shouldn't mix prints.  If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time you've definitely seen me break that one once or twice...or more...Ok, I do it like every week. 

I'm not saying fashion rules are a bad thing, far from it.  If you don't want to put much thought into the composition of an outfit, if you're a no-nonsense kind of women or if it all just seems too daunting, then by all means, follow the rules.  Because, let's face it, rules are made for a reason and breaking them while still looking chic can be rather tricky.   But if you're feeling creative or adventurous, try to see them less as rules and more like guidelines or suggestions.

One fashion rule I regularly find myself breaking these days is pairing brown and black.  It's one of those set-in-stone rules I was raised on and it was tough to break that mindset, but once I did, it felt pretty liberating.  Now I do it all the time and today's outfit is a prime example.  Certain shades of brown go better with black, like cognac, tan, and of course the fabulous rust color of this Yasmine High Neck Ribbed jumpsuit by FemmeLuxe.  The jumpsuit came with its own belt in matching color, but I wanted to break up the palette a little by adding a thick black belt to define and draw attention to the waist. 

A good tip for mixing black and brown is to make sure you add more than  one item to your outfit in that color so that the look is balanced.  In addition to the belt, I added black heels and a black faux leather bomber jacket.  Since this jumpsuit has a mock turtle neck I accessorized with layers of pearls and a chunky ring since teensy jewelry pieces would have been lost and the statement necklace really adds that extra bit visual interest that really ties an outfit all together. 

The great thing about a jumpsuit is the way it can make a figure look longer than it is and this particular jumpsuit is made of a breathable fabric, light, soft and with some stretch to it, so while it looks sophisticated, it feels incredibly comfortable.  I also credit the vertical striped ribbing for enhancing that lengthening effect plus, the texture breaks up the solid color. 

I'm 5'6” --right smack in the middle of average height--and have a pear shape that can be difficult to dress at times, but I feel like a supermodel on the runway in this jumpsuit.  My legs look like they go on and on.  It's quite nice and actually seems to balance my shape quite well.  One important tip to wearing jumpsuits in general is to make sure to properly tailor the length of the pant legs on a jumpsuit though.  They should fall at the ankle or just slightly below.  Too long and you may look like a little girl playing dress up.  Properly hemmed and you're ready for the catwalk.

Shopping Info:  FemmeLuxe Rust High Neck Ribbed Jumpsuit - Yasmine, Heels and Sash Samba Belt from ModCloth