Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Apparently obsolete fashion rules that you stick with regardless

480 replies

Echobelly · 05/10/2021 11:46

For me it's 'Leggings must be worn with something that COVERS YOUR BUM'

I'm sorry, even with teenagers with lovely pert derrieres, leggings and top that stops at your waist look like you haven't got dressed properly, and on those of us with less than gravity-defying butts (such as myself) it just looks horribly unflattering, especially if you wear cheapass leggings where the fabric goes all see-through when stretched.

What rules do you stick to, even if out of fashion?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Magpiecomplex · 05/10/2021 18:30

Painted toenails generally are tarty, according to my husband. I ignore that one!

Antinerak · 05/10/2021 18:42

There have been a few things Trinny and Susannah said that stuck in my mind but now Trinny wears neon yellow suits and vile massive trousers I tend to stick with the safe rule that if I like it and feel comfortable in it, I wear it. Except cycling shorts. They are for cyclists and I'm not that much of a dickhead.

woodhill · 05/10/2021 18:42

@Thomasina79

Please don’t shout (runs for cover), but for me being, ahem, an over 50 I feel skirts should be at least under the knees and sleeves should be at least three quarter length.
Even in hot weather?
EmmalineC · 05/10/2021 18:43

Matching shoes and handbags? Seriously? Surely only the Queen does that.

Buttercup72 · 05/10/2021 18:46

Dress to suit figure - I think a lot younger women/teens don’t seem to bother about their body shape/cellulite etc when picking outfits, just what they want to wear. I kind of admire that they are not bogged down by that, but some just take it a bit too far. Belly tops are not for everyone

Craftycorvid · 05/10/2021 18:46

My DM had the mysterious rule regarding no skirt longer than one’s coat. I never worked out exactly what was so offensive about seeing some of your skirt under your coat. Mum was also obsessed with shoes and handbags matching - and hats.

Personally, I tend to ignore any rules I don’t like. I’m partial to a clashing colour or six and what are black trousers for if not to wear with a coloured top? I had just got the hang of skinny jeans when they were outlawed by the fashion police, but because fashion is ridiculous and fickle, my skinnies are in storage for the next time they are ‘in’. Usually I ignore trends but there’s something about wearing a trouser shape that is very much ‘over’ that can look quite dating. Sadly, seeing people in very dark denim boot cut jeans does look odd now.

godmum56 · 05/10/2021 18:47

@Buttercup72

Dress to suit figure - I think a lot younger women/teens don’t seem to bother about their body shape/cellulite etc when picking outfits, just what they want to wear. I kind of admire that they are not bogged down by that, but some just take it a bit too far. Belly tops are not for everyone
but that's your opinion and therefore should only apply to you
godmum56 · 05/10/2021 18:48

@TheSilveryPussycat

Old hippy here. I hate skinny jeans (though I have never tried any on, I must confess). In the 50s they were called drainpipe trousers, and worn by teddy boys.
old hippy here too. Lycra is a GAMECHANGER
Buttercup72 · 05/10/2021 18:51

@godmum56. Didn’t imply it should be followed by anyone else - just answering the question of what apparently obsolete YOU stick with.

daisyjgrey · 05/10/2021 18:51

@Buttercup72

Dress to suit figure - I think a lot younger women/teens don’t seem to bother about their body shape/cellulite etc when picking outfits, just what they want to wear. I kind of admire that they are not bogged down by that, but some just take it a bit too far. Belly tops are not for everyone

🙄

Boood · 05/10/2021 18:57

Black goes with grey, beige or pale pink and that’s it.

Beachwear should be blue, green or turquoise, never red, pink or orange.

Shoes shouldn’t be significantly darker or lighter than your clothes.

Leggings are for exercise or wearing under dresses.

Malin52 · 05/10/2021 18:57

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

Black trousers shouldn't be worn with a brightly coloured top. As said by Trinny and Susannah back in ye dayes of yore. The early 00's.
Seriously. Can someone please explain this to me? What's wrong with this combo? What's the alternative?
godmum56 · 05/10/2021 18:58

@FlibbertyGibbitt

Red shoes no nickers apparently! 🤣
my grandmother used to say "red hat and no knickers"
godmum56 · 05/10/2021 19:00

[quote Buttercup72]@godmum56. Didn’t imply it should be followed by anyone else - just answering the question of what apparently obsolete YOU stick with.[/quote]
but you said this "but some just take it a bit too far. Belly tops are not for everyone"

merryhouse · 05/10/2021 19:03

I think what's wrong with it is that it was Totally In in the mid-80s.

See also double denim, jeans so small at the ankles they need a zip, perms.

Claudethecat · 05/10/2021 19:05

What are the myriad of rules for men ...maybe no brown shoes with blue suits, but apart from that I don't think there are many. Wonder why?

ScotsMumOf4 · 05/10/2021 19:05

I have a cardigan for every type of occasion 😂 can't deal with the current cycling shorts trend

isthismylifenow · 05/10/2021 19:06

Oh someone beat me to nude underwear. Never white under white.

Always wear underwear that doesn't show vpl.

My mother always told me to never trust a man that wears white shoes....

(I don't think trainers count... Or do they Mum?)

Claudethecat · 05/10/2021 19:06

perms

how can you tell if it is permed or natural hair? Not everyone has straight hair.

doobidoobidoo · 05/10/2021 19:07

@Claudethecat

perms

how can you tell if it is permed or natural hair? Not everyone has straight hair.

When I look back at photos of me with a perm, you most certainly can tell it's a perm!
godmum56 · 05/10/2021 19:08

@merryhouse

I think what's wrong with it is that it was Totally In in the mid-80s.

See also double denim, jeans so small at the ankles they need a zip, perms.

yeah but lycra did away with ankle zips
Gladioli23 · 05/10/2021 19:13

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

Can't be doing with visible bra straps or even worse, dresses/skirts that are longer than your coat.
I might be being mad here, but don't you have to have incredibly long coats to end up with one longer than your dress/skirt? Or incredibly short skirts?

I often think it looks a bit like someone forgot to put a skirt on if their coat is longer than their skirt?

Claudethecat · 05/10/2021 19:19

80s perms were a bit poodle-y it's true @doobidoobidoo!

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 05/10/2021 19:26

my grandmother used to say "red hat and no knickers"

Apparently obsolete fashion rules that you stick with regardless
BoreOfWhabylon · 05/10/2021 19:27

@BoreOfWhabylon

All silver or all gold jewellery, never both together. Ditto boobs or legs, eyes or lips. Always match shoes and handbags. Gloves always worn whenever outdoors between Autumn and Spring. Preferably soft kid leather.
Just re-read the thread title - I don't do all these things now, especially not the kid gloves, but they were The Rules back in the day.