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5 outdated fashion rules you gotta break


Trends come and go with the seasons, but the ironclad laws of style stay the same, right? Wrong! We’ve already OK’ed wearing white after Labor Day (twice), and resolved the highly contentious leggings as pants debate. But the list of defunct laws doesn’t end there. We’ve added five more out-of-date fashion rules that style sticklers need to get over, stat.

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    Mixed prints

    By now everyone from your li’l sis to your grandma has mastered colorblocking. Mixing prints, on the other hand, is a tad trickier. Thankfully the secret is surprisingly simple: find different sized patterns in the same color scheme. Finish it off with bold kicks for a put-together, not dressed-in-the-dark, look.

     

    Rock Legend Top in White, $50, modcloth.com

    Trousers, $23, hm.com

    Ostile Flats in Mustard, $45, aldo.com
    Pretty Sparkle Heart Necklace, $14, dorothyperkins.com
  • allovercolor.jpg

    All over color

    On the flipside, the monochromatic look works wonders, so long as you break up it up with different textures. For timid trendsetter, try pairing slightly different shades. For the fearless fashionista, wear the same hue from head-to-almost-toe with a punch of contrasting shoes.

     

    Mint Melt Away Lace Blouse, $43, shopruche.com

    Dream Skinny Jeans in Mint, $48, nastygal.com

    Gimlet Flats, $35, piperlime.com

    Blu Bjioux Gold Green Yellow and Blue Chandelier Earrings, $15, maxandchloe.com

  • mistmatchpurse.jpg

    Mismatched purse + shoes

    Enough with the matchy-matchy, you say? We couldn’t agree more—especially when it comes to pumps and purses. Despite what old-school fashionistas proclaim, your shoes do not need to match your clutch in the slightest bit. Same goes for belts. Really, any color or print pairing goes, so long as it’s fab and fun.

     

    Full Tilt Chambray Womens Shirt, $27, tillys.com

    Accordion to You Skirt, $33, modcloth.com

    Gabriella Rocha Sammy, $39, zappos.com

    Flat Leopard Print Clutch, $20, charoletterusse.com

  • blackandbrown.jpg

    Black + brown

    Chocolate? Yup. Chestnut? Uh huh. Nude? You bet. Believe it or not, they all go with black. To make it work, pick a brown that’s noticeably different from black. Highlight the contrasting shades by mixing up the materials, like leather and knits. Too easy not to try.

     

    Jacket, $46, hm.com

    AE Cabled Sweater, $20, ae.com

    Light Brown Suedette Buckle Ankle Boots, $43, newlook.com

  • blackandnavy.jpg

    Navy + black

    Gasp, not navy and black! Oh yes, we went there. Take a deep breath and repeat after us: Navy and black do go together. Just like with brown and black, the key is combining non-identical shades in distinct textures or patterns. Black lace tights with suede navy Mary-Janes? Don’t mind if we do!

     

    Navy Ottoman Scoop Neck Dress, $21, dorothyperkins.com

    AIntarsia Spot Cardigan in Black, $46, johnlewis.com

    New Look Tar Navy Bow Front MaryJane Platform shoes, $44, asos.com

    Full Tilt Daisy Tights, $18, tillys.com

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by Karmen Fox | 2/1/2016
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