Do you have any 'Style Rules'?

[WilburIsSomePig]

These days I generally believe that you should wear what the hell you like but I can clearly remember thinks from my youth that were an absolute no no.

My mum was horrified when I went out in a coat with my skirt hanging down a couple of inches from the bottom. (This was the 80's).

I would never have worn red and green together, whereas now I have a pair of bottle green trousers that I like with a dark red jumper and hope that I don't look too much like an extra from Elf.

Do you have any particular 'rules' that you stick to?

Thank you everyone for the thumbs up on my coat

Loved the coat too.

My personal rules are:
No tassles
Not a huge fan of patterns
No burgundy or olive green.

No logos whatsoever.

Coat is gorgeous, very Audrey Hepburn; beautifully made no doubt.

My rules:
I've almost completely de-blacked my wardrobe as it doesn't suit me one bit. Base colours are blue green grey and berry purples. I'm very very pale, but look washed out in all light colours.
My wardrobe for ages was horrible beige, which makes me look like a giant fucking Elastoplast. I have black glasses, totally counterintuitive but they are very defining
I wear wellies, leggings and shirts all the time, always layers, always comfortable and always practical. Natural fabric and as little dry cleaning as possible.
Coats with plenty of pockets, never double-breasted. I'm slowly phasing out anything that can't be tumble dried. More rules for than I thought!

Oh the coat is lovely 💓

Unless I'm trying to seduce, it's slightly padded t-shirt bras all the way. I hate the look of a seamed or lacy bra showing through thin tops.

Only natural fabrics like cotton, leather, silk, wool - no lookalikes. The real thing lasts much longer so I'd rather buy 2nd hand than buy an imitation.

No florals or small patterns. No patterns at all, really.

Dark grey, not black - nicer with my red hair.

No cleavage, ever.

Legs or shoulders - not both.

Comfortable bra - nothing makes you look awkward and hunched like bra misery.

No blue except dark blue jeans. Blue near my face makes me look hideously ill.

No bright primary colours, no white (do love bright colours, but not primary ones, I just look like a huge child)

Things have to be fitted at the waist - I have broad shoulders and pear-shaped bum but go in at the waist, and anything baggy makes me look like a barrel - yet the right long, skimming top can miraculously make me look willowy.

No suit jackets or stiff-collared shirts – I'm tall with short hair, I get called "sir" in these!

Prints, prints, prints - I'm always looking for amazing ones, just love them. So much so I don't actually care if they suit me or not :)

And finally if you see something that is just SO YOU and you are totally drawn to and works on you, buy it if you possibly can, even if it's expensive, even if it's not what you were shopping for. Because those buys are the ones that end up getting worn loads and being real keepers.

I've got loads of rules now since i finally worked out I am a pear shape.
E.g. if the top half or neckline of the outfit is too plain and featureless compared to the bottom half, it always looks shit on me. So either I add some kind of interest up top like a patterned scarf or snazz my hair up or change. (and I now think it's no coincidence that Bretons took off same kind of time as skinny jeans did..)

I love the idea up thread of trying on what's current to see whether any of it works. I do wander through the massive Topshop in Oxford Circus every once in a while to try to see if there's anything in there. So far i have only found myself muttering wistfully about how I had exactly that item in the '90s, like a right auld gimmer. But it's interesting to see what's going on.

I read somewhere that even Kate Moss has style rules- (I think: wearing something fitted somewhere in the rib/torso area so you can see how skinny she is..) you can kind of see it in her off duty photos- like a wafty shirt, but with a little waistcoat etc. I just find it interesting that even someone that beautiful who could wear anything does have a formula.

Nothing uncomfortable, tight, itchy or with a neckline that has to be continuously monitored for flashing bra!
No gaping, or short tops which could expose middle.
No tinge of yellow of any sort.
No dangly sleeves or jewellery.
Minimal prints unless they are lovely,subtle ones ( except for grey leopard print which I love).

Watch my weight carefully.
Clothes must be flattering to my figure but not emphasise lumps or bumps or have VPLs or exposed underwear.
I don't wear tops that tuck into trousers or skirts.
In fact, I mostly wear dresses.
No linen or cotton that needs ironing to look good.
I have to absolutely love an item before I buy it. This is even before I look at the price.
No rings - other than my wedding/engagement ring.

Beautiful coat Bobo, I hope you have an amazing year.

I agree with good bra and comfy shoes, others than that I say dress for what you are doing- so a fleece might be a great look for a 20 mile hike, but not for a Saturday shopping.

Natural fibres
Expensive or expensive looking
Not faddy mostly - find what suits you and stick to it
2 or max 3 colours
Silver jewellery (for me)
Bright lipstick if wearing black
Tinted moisturiser
Good eyebrows
Good haircut and colour
Not scruffy shoes
Legs or chest/shoulders - not both
High heels looks better for work/ going out (but not with short dress - too tarty imo)

For me being thinner/toned helps and better to have a smaller bust - more chic (I've had both and it's easier IME to look stylish with small chest- I know this is down to genes etc)

Exquisite coat, Bobo, and completely wearable for any event you want to dazzle a bit. Garments like that transcend fashion and should pass down through generations; I have some handed down from my great aunt (who died in the mid-80s).

Lots of good advice here, but I feel that if we can afford to splurge on great things occasionally, we should regard it as an investment in future vintage. So, please, think of the DDs and DGC for whom we should be shopping now. The extravagances that cost most of your annual clothing budget thinking of my new black coat which will still look a million dollars at funerals when I am 85-- is a treasure now, and going to give pleasure for years, even if it spends whole seasons in a dress bag with moth protection.

Mine are:

Know your colours! And as you get older, avoid black next to the face. It really highlights any wrinkles or creases.

Know your shapes and lengths. If you have a big bust, don't do anything gathered or bunched that sits at the waist. Even pleated is a bit dodgy. Hip-line skirts are much more flattering, creating more space between your bust and the top of the skirt.

Have the right underwear for the item i.e. strapless bras etc.

Not rules as such, just things I prefer ( on me, I don't mind what anyone else wears).
-No to wearing blue denim on top and bottom.
-Scoop/ V-necks not crew
-Baseball shoes are always Converse, exercise trainers always Adidas, learnt that the hard way after suffering in other brands.
-No pale pink, peach or beige.
-Prefer clothes to be form fitting.
-Prefer skinny kickflare jeans and wear them with Converse or wedge heel boots.
-Always wear a cami under stuff, as I get rashes if belt buckles /rivets touch my bare skin.
-Can't bear the feel of synthetic velvet or ordinary polyester fleece.
-Not keen on OTT branding.
-No ¾ sleeves, I have long arms, they look ridiculous on me, end up above my elbow.

Lots of rules for someone who maintains she's not that bothered about clothes 😁

Wow I feel quite anxious reading this thread, you all sound so sorted and knowledgeable! I honestly don't have any style rules. I wonder if people in my office are thinking "Dear god why does she keep wearing mustard when it looks so awful!" :D Oh well.

user1471503992 I don't know if you will see this but this might be what you are after, RE: book cover t-shirts. I've brought a few from here, they do ship to the UK:

www.outofprintclothing.com/

Oooh...that Where the Wild Things Are tote bag ellequick ...I love that, daren't look at the shipping though!

Totes and Tees available from this UK site...
www.theliterarygiftcompany.com/collections/t-shirts-1
I'm sitting on my hands to avoid ordering lol.

Oh I didn't realise there was a UK site selling them now CallarMorvern, nice find! I realise, browsing now, then when I say I've brought a "few" things from there, I mean "loads".

Mine (I'm 50 and a bit saggy round the middle but decent height 5'5" with a 12 bottom/14-16 top)

Patterns look their price. Stripes,checks need to line up.
I love paisley, never looks bad
No Double Animal (so no tiger with zebra/ leopard with tiger)
One pattern item (unless its a small accessory, then might get away with two)
Must cover my bum- ain't no-one wants to see that. Or at least be top of thigh skimming in jeans, but no midriff (unless bikini, in which case, I'm ok)
Shoes I can drive in and if I need to, run in. Must be comfortable. Painful shoes show in your face.

And my Fashion Rules for sales: Ask myself "Why are you in the Sale Rail?" Must be a reason, usually because its naff.

No logos, not even on handbags (looking at you, Mr Michael Kors)
No crew necklines (alas, large of nork)
Always need a bit of structure in there, tend to wear fitted (and dark!) on the top half.
No linen (creases).
Silver not gold.

My main rule is it needs to go in at the waist, I have no waist so my outfit needs to create a waist, if in doubt and I already own it I wear a wide belt to show the difference between my huge boobs and waist! 😂

No black next to my face
No animal prints
Shoes I can walk in
No linen anything

Well polished and looked after shoes and handbags (thx DP for 40+ years of polishing and shining them)

Attention to detail - no loose threads or hairs on clothes

!!!!! Patterns look their price - you are so right I shall remember that

Also jealous of bobo's coat! Some things are worth dry cleaning