Fashion rules are useful as they help us to avoid style faux pas. It’s always good to have some guidelines and work your creativity around them, especially if you are not a fashion professional. As Professor Andrew Groves, head of the University of Westminster’s Fashion Department tells BBC, “We all like to think we’re individuals but rules give people a certain security when it comes to fashion.”
Many directives actually make sense and have stood the test of time, like dressing up for the opera — it’s an excuse to wear something special. But, aside from military uniforms and other circumstances with equally unmovable dress standards, etiquette, and traditions, few fashion rules are set in stone. They might have a bit of truth in them, but do not take them to the letter. Some of the most well-known style dos and don’ts are outdated, as both fashion and dress codes have evolved. Others are too rigid and don’t take context into consideration, or simply overlook factors like personality, culture, and lifestyle. In most cases proper styling can make the unexpected work beautifully for the woman who is wearing it.