Welcome to this month’s Ageless Style linkup where each month, ten different women share their sense of style based on one person’s theme. This month the Ageless Style theme was left up to Yours Truly and I decided on “Rules Are Made to Be Broken,” because, well, They Are!

Speaking in a larger context than just fashion, I do believe it’s good to learn the rules of any situation, art, style, job, whatever. Learn them, understand them, because usually they are based on the experiences of those who came before you and we should be open to what others have learned. But once you know them and you understand more about The Big Picture…then feel free to find your own way, break the rules, make the rules work for you, all of the above.

And I do feel that in “style” (fashion, art, home decor), rules come and go with the times. The hemline rules of the 1890s, 1920’s, 60’s, 90’s and today have all been different based on what’s in style in a particular era. Necklines, materials, shapes – have all been subject to styles, which led to rules. And while I feel like many rules have come about based on levels of modesty (since the beginning of time, I feel we have gone from more covered up to less, as sensibilities would allow), some rules are based on other factors.

NO WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY

This rule, one of my very favorites to break, has several potential derivations. My favorite (and the one that at least makes some semblance of sense!) is that back in the day when roads were still dirt, in fall rains and winter snowfalls, the packed dirt turned to deep sluggy mucky mud. Ladies’ dresses were long and washing was not the convenience it is today. During the cold seasons it made more sense to wear dark-colored clothing so at least if it was dragged through the mud, it wasn’t as noticeable.

Old Navy White Cropped Jeans, size 24 short | Old Navy Camel Longline Open-front Cardigan, size 2x | Avenue Striped Top, size 3x, old.

I just love stories of how dirty people used to be! Like how perfume came to be invented to cover up people’s stench since bathing was a rarely enjoyed luxury!

Old Navy White Cropped Jeans, size 24 short | Ellos Chestnut Poncho, size 2x

Anyway, white was discouraged for obvious reasons. But most of us are no longer traipsing down dirt roads in our floor-length dresses (well, except maybe for photo-shoots), so this rule really no longer applies. Except that, given the option, I won’t wear my white jeans on a rainy day because just the little bit of splash-up that happens when walking across the parking lot from car to work, can result in dirt splotches around the hem.

White Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Jeans, size 24 short | Target Mossimo Handkerchief Hem Turtleneck, size 3x

However, I definitely do wear them after Labor Day. In fact, I have come to prefer the look of white jeans with the colors of autumn and winter: chestnut, mustard, brown, and grey. So this is a rule I totally flout.

FAT BODIES SHOULDN’T WEAR HORIZONTAL STRIPES

Ohh, this is a triple-whammy one.

#1  DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO WEAR. I was tempted to add “ha ha,” but it’s really not funny.

#2 I’m not trying to make anyone else feel comfortable with my body. I’m the only one that needs to feel comfortable with my body. And I feel perfectly comfortable in horizontal stripes, so. Reread #1.

Old Navy Royal Blue Striped Tee Dress, size 3x | Loft White Buttondown Shirt, 24 | Superga Slip-on Sneakers

#3 Speaking purely graphically and perception-wise, horizontal stripes don’t truly make a body look larger. Read the science about that here.

Exhibit A: “Here the outlines of the two women are identical, but the vertically striped pattern makes the hips appear broader.”

Examples of the human figures used in experiment 2. Here the outlines of the two women are identical, but the vertically striped pattern makes the hips appear broader.

LARGE BODIES SHOULDN’T WEAR BRIGHT COLORS

For so many years, the color palette available to larger sizes consisted of black, navy…and black. “Don’t draw attention to your large body with bright colors!” “Keep your large body hidden in the shadows by wearing dark colors.” “Black recedes.” In other words, We Don’t Want to See You and Your Large Body, Please Keep it Hidden From Our View. 

a. Re-read #1 from the section above

b. I defy you to tell me I don’t look amazing (and visible!!!) in these Very Bright Colors.

c. Case Closed.

So. What rules will you break today??

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you buy something as a result of clicking that link, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links. 

Make sure to visit my creative and talented friends to see their take on this month’s theme.

Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest

Daenel ~ Living outside the stacks Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter

Debbie ~ Fashion Fairy Dust Bloglovin, Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter

Jennie ~ A Pocketful of Polka Dots Blog, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Bloglovin

Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter

Julia ~ When the Girls Rule Blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram

Kellyann ~ This Blonde’s Shopping Bag Blog, Instagram, Bloglovin, Twitter

Shelly ~ The Queen in Between Blog, Instagram, Bloglovin, Pinterest, Facebook

Shugunna ~ Nzuri N* Simplicity Blog, Pinterest, Instagram

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