Weird, self imposed style rules!

[mellatronella]

That you realised were bonkers and limiting?
Do you have any?
I tend not to abide by them nowadays as I have grown older, but could be inexplicably harsh with myself as a younger woman. Some of mine were/are:

• Always wear clothes that hide thighs (sadly they were slim and quite nice, what a fool)
• wide legged jeans/trousers make me look fat.
• A jacket must cover my bum entirely.
• Shorts are for other people.
• Never wear hair loose in wind/breeze (it's porous and flyaway)
• The baggier the better.

I am not like that at all now, and these would feel so limiting. Now I am in my 40's I wear shorter jackets (and it looks better on me), leave my hair to blow wild, have stared wearing shorts this year and have some wide leg jeans in the post! Life is far too short for so many rules, and it seems sad that I didn't have more confidence when younger. I also prefer slimmer fit clothing now, so long as it's soft and comfy. It's like I was hiding for so long. I have also been generally slim and decently proportioned, so god knows why.

I have lots of rules but they all about my body shape and colouring. I don’t wear blacks, whites, floral, midi, polo neck, puff sleeves, wide leg trousers, open toe shoes, crop tops, knee high boots. I don’t think that these rules are stupid or restrictive, I can’t change dramatically my colouring so have to take it into account, the same with my body shape. I always assume that all women do it unless special circumstances e.g small baby.
Never heard the rule lipstick or blusher. All make up consultants recommend both just different colours for day and evening. My rule used to be never out of the house without lipstick on. My lips tend to get dry but I don’t like balms I like subtle natural lipstick. I’m more relaxed (older) now so not always stick to this. All others rules still stand.

No cardigans. My dad once told me that cardigans are what middle aged women who work in the public sector wear instead of suit jackets. Of course, I am now a middle aged women who works in the public sector. I WFH now at least so no one need never know about my cardigans!

I used to have a weird think a few years ago about not wearing trainers with skinny jeans. It was when all the knee high boots with skinny jeans tucked in was a thing. Now I wear my converse with jeans loads.

Interesting that someone said they don't wear black. I worked out recently that I suit navy better than black, so don't wear as much black now. Although, I was also weird about navy for about a decade. Probably because my high school uniform was navy. Then my first uniform in the bank I worked at was also navy!

Don't wear trainers unless going to/from or actually at the gym/exercising.

No skinny trousers, leggings, tights or tight sleeves. Although that's a sensory thing rather than a style choice and is bloody annoying. Basically can't stand to wear anything tight below my elbows or knees (so will happily wear leggings that finish at the knee). Incredibly annoying when trying to get new jeans or work trousers as everywhere seems to be just skinny style but I just can't do it. Likewise I'd love to wear long tunic style tops with tights or leggings but it just makes me feel horrible. The sight of someone wearing tights and seeing rain get them wet is enough to make me nauseous

Style wise I don't wear yellow because I'm very pale and believe yellow would make me look washed out and ill. I'd love to wear yellow because it's such a cheerful colour but have to stick to shoes and bags for that

Also don't wear navy and black together. It's a 'rule' probably from my mother that I can't remember learning I just know it must Never Be Done despite also knowing that's bullshit!

I also don't wear navy and black. Weird rule

I had long, dark wavy hair in my twenties, but had the belief that to get a better job, it had to be shorter and smarter, so went for a much shorter style that didn't suit me as much. It was the 90s! I did get a good job, that I'm still in 20 years on, but not sure that was to do with the hair 😆. Now it's back to long, post pandemic and I love it again.

I won't wear jeans that are the traditional blue denim colour. Black or another colour for me.

I imagine all stylish people have their own set of self-imposed rules that will be weird to some!
Personally I avoid statement collars, especially Peter Pan style ones. I also don’t like tops with elastic in the bottom hem. I avoid prints that look cheap, especially cheap-looking tropical leaf prints.
The whole colour thing makes sense to me though. We all have colours that don’t look flattering.
But I do think that people should wear what they like and should dress according to that and not what others think!

Fuck the rules. I love a colour/print clash. I have always worn what makes me happy. It wouldn’t suit everyone but it doesn’t have to. I am extremely plump, so I try and emphasis my good points! I do think there’s something to be said about good quality bags and shoes. And accessories really can make an impact. I have loved fashion my whole life!