What are the rules?

Remember when your mother gave you the clear cut version of the "Fashion Rules"? The rules from which you were never to stray unless you wanted to end up in a magazine with a black bar over your eyes? Through the years they have morphed a bit but the essiental rules have always hung around and haunted fashion conscious women like that annoying fly that you can never seem to swat. Let's explore them and dispel any out of date mantras so we can breathe easy and execute our own styles guilt free...

1. Your shoes, belt and purse must ALWAYS match.
I mention this one first because it's probably the one that I hate the most. Do we really want to look like gingerbread cookies? Didn't think so.
Let's start with shoes. Shoes are the staple in most women's wardrobes. Frequently, we dress around them. In these cases, they are making the statement of your outfit in which case you'd likely omit the belt and go easy on the bag, correct? Not to mention the fact that going by the number of shoes I own, if I had to have a coordinating belt and purse for each of them, I'd be living in my car.
Belts, in recent months, are being worn most unconventionally. Meaning over things that typically would not be belted - a t-shirt, an empire waisted dress, babydoll shirts. So here, the focus is on your belt - not the coordination of the three.
I think that bags have gone through the biggest transformation in the past ten years. Once used strictly for functionality, purses are now statement pieces. Styles are endless and myriad price tags give us countless options. We now live in a world where "It bags" rule and $1,200 designer purses are worn with jeans and t-shirts.
My point is that shoes, belts and handbags have now each taken on their own shape. They've got individual personalities. No longer are they a consolidated trifecta but standout pieces in their own right for us to play with.

2. Never mix gold and silver jewelry.
Says who? I'm confused as to why this rule ever existed in the first place. I understand how, if done incorrectly, it could look odd. But was somebody too afraid to try?
I think the key is in layering. Try starting with necklaces. If you pile both gold and silver on your neck, you are off to a running start. And then you have much more freedom of choice with rings, bracelets and earrings.
Just try not to loook like Mr. T.

3. No white after Labor Day.
Old school. This one is more an issue of what fabrics are seasonally appropriate. Although that is beginning to change as well.
I wouldn't wear a head to toe white linen suit with white strappy sandals in the middle of a blizzard. But we've seen wool in white. And jeans. The idea is keeping the line unbroken. If you are going to wear white pants, wear white boots.
And the HUGEST style trend for this fall is layering with tights or leggings. If you have picked up a magazine in the past three months, you have seen it. So all of your white summer dresses or long white tunic tops can be carried well into the fall with dark colored legs and boots. There is a great brand of tights sold in most of the major department stores called HUE. Comes in awesome colors. You'll be fabulous. And if your mother balks, show her a picture of Sienna Miller.

4. Don't wear black shoes with a white outfit.
This is one case where I will say mom is half right. IF you are going to do this, there must be something else dark in your ensemble. Otherwise, it will look TACKY. Even if it is white pants that have black pinstripes, you are in good shape. And a good rule of thumb is that the less shoe there is, the safer you are. Strappys are much easier to pull off than chumky platforms in this case. So choose judiciously.
And I would never try it in reverse, wearing white shoes with a black outfit. That just IS tacky.

In short, the fashion rules of today are just to find your own style - something that works for you and build on that. Gone are the days of matchy matchy suits and perfect hair. Individuality is key, ladies, and decorum goes a LONG way. So have fun with yourself and most importantly, don't take anyone's rules (including your own) too serioulsy.