The #1 Rule of Fashion
This week I did a lot of talking about body types. As a follow up to that I am going to go over some (and I caution to say this) rules for dressing your body type. But, before I do that I want to tell you the # 1 rule in fashion. Just so there is no confusion.
THE NUMBER 1 RULE IN FASHION: There are no rules.
It would be crazy to limit a field as creative as fashion with rules, and do’s and don’ts. Of course there are always best case scenarios and strong recommendations, but NO RULES. If you like it, and it makes you feel great, do it.
There is no ideal body type, although the text book answer to that would be: For men the ideal body type is the trapezoid and for women the hourglass. There is even a backup plan or second most ideal body type: the inverted triangle. Many of the “rules” of dressing, are designed to get you to the ideal body shape. For example, you will hear that if you are a pear, your goal is to minimize the hips and add detailing up top or shoulder pads etc to balance out your shape to give the appearance of an hourglass.
While the rules ( I think I will call them guidelines from here on out) are a valuable tool, do not use them in their strictest form. Use them to manipulate your body and wardrobe to achieve the look you want. If desire to have an hourglass, then the rules are a great action plan, but if not – they are always open for interpretation.