5 Fashion rules you should break now

Nur Syazana H.

06 Oct 2015

updated the 3 May 2019 à 15:32

Wearing navy blue with black, mixing silver and gold, sequins during the day…nobody’s got the time for rules! Find out how you can break them in style.

"Don't wear navy blue and black together."

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“Don’t wear navy blue and black together.”
Because navy blue and black are sometimes mistaken for each other, the unwritten rule to avoid wearing them together still stands true to some. But the key to wearing the two dark hues is to choose them in different fabrics, like a dark blue denim paired with black leather.

Photo: Getty Images
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“Don’t wear navy blue and black together.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“Don’t wear navy blue and black together.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“Pink and red shouldn’t be worn together.”
Members of the same colour family, the stigma behind a harsh clashing of pink and red seem to be just that - a stigma. Try it for yourself and match variations of both colours. For example, hot pink and true red, or tomato red with pale pink, etc.

Photo: Getty Images
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“Pink and red shouldn’t be worn together.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“Pink and red shouldn’t be worn together.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“Only wear sequins in the evening.”
Wearing flashy fabrics and metallics aren't just for playful nights at the clubs anymore. Streetstyle stars are unleashing their inner magpies and wearing fully-sequined clothes such as tops and pants in the day time, treating them just like any other piece of clothing they have. To avoid looking over-the-top, keep the sequins to just one item and consider pairing them with a solid-coloured bottom or layer them under a coat.
Photo: Getty Images
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“Only wear sequins in the evening.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“Only wear sequins in the evening.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“No short skirts after 40.”
Fashion veterans Carine Roitfeld, Anna Dello Russo and DVF herself are all well over age 40, yet debunk the rule that says women shouldn't be showing off their legs after a certain age. Wear your favourite mini skirts gracefully by layering with longer cardigans, opting for sheer fabrics as Carine Roitfeld has, or simply wear stockings.

Photo: Getty Images
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“No short skirts after 40.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“No short skirts after 40.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“Don’t mix silver and gold jewellery.”
In theory, silver and gold seem like they would be a riot to pull off together. But as these savvy women would have it, the two are a match made in heaven! Mix your jewellery and create an enviable arm party or layer necklaces in different metals. The same goes for the hardware on your belts, bags or shoes.
Photo: Getty Images
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“Don’t mix silver and gold jewellery.”
Photo: Getty Images
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“Don’t mix silver and gold jewellery.”
Photo: Getty Images

Fashion’s love-hate relationship with trends always keeps us on our toes. As the times change, so have the looks and rules that were created over time, whether in conservative times, or based on society’s perception of what’s normal and what’s not.

Wearing black with navy blue? This shifty rule may have caused some to grimace and avoid the look to prevent from being ridiculed, but is now celebrated more than ever and synonymous with Fall trends. Sequins during the day? Well who says you only have wear your glitziest clothes at night? Short skirts after 40? This probably came from those who never believed there are mature women among us who have incredibly toned legs that deserve to be showed off.

To us, the very essence of fashion and its playful, fun aesthetics leave no space for rules. So rifle through our gallery above and discover the strict guides of fashion that you should forgo right now.

Nur Syazana H.

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