The black and navy rule was made because of classism. Rich men would be able to afford a full suit while poorer men would buy suits separately and the colors wouldn’t match as perfectly as the rich men’s suits. So it became a rule to not wear the two colors together because you’d be seen as poor.
I totally agree! Maybe one reason is bc its so much less fabric that its cheaper than if they used the same fabric and style for adult sizes so its worth it to sell them for baby/kids sizes 🧐 similar to the annoying plus size being more expensive than the same exact thing that is in straight size as it’s more fabric lol 🤦♀️
I feel like the “dressing your age” thing is specifically targeted at women for sure. Because men wear t-shirts and jeans/khakis from birth it seems & people are okay with it. It’s interesting and definitely makes me not want to care at all. Lol
Absolutely. The idea is older women serve no purpose. Don't even try to express youself verbally or with fashion. Go to the kitchen and stop 20:20 20:20 embarrassing yourself seems to be the message. I agee Alexa. WEAR WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. Someone wii find fault with you conform to rules or go your ownn way so just respect yourself.
I am turning 48 this year and I don't think I have ever dressed my age. I wear what I like and if people think it's "too young" for me, they can suck it. Lol
Right? Men can wear slacks and shorts and whatever, sneakers and such. Women of a "certain age" are told to dress with more luxurious fabrics and expensive jewels and better cut clothes and fancier options to "counter the fact" they look old. What about letting women look old in peace in their clothes of choice, without this very toxic concept of having to dress like age is a sin to be covered/countered?
Black and brown is SUCH an iconic & autumnal mix! As a kid, I was told to never wear brown with black, but I’d also get tons of compliments at thanksgiving in 2016 when I’d wear the staple black tight turtleneck, button up suede brown circle skirt, and black knee high boots outfit. Goes back to feeling confident in your fashion choices and rocking what makes you feel good!
Love the concept and execution of this video. For the horizontal lines, the way you presented it made me think: horizontal lines > Wider > take up More space > we ALL have an inherent right to take up space (physically, mentally, visually, ) 🎉
I appreciate how you shout out to other content creators with body types different from you. They're driving home the same points and seeing the message echoed is reinforcing the idea that we can wear what we want.
As a daughter of a woman approaching 50 I feel like especially telling middle age women to "dress their age" or "cover up more" "cut their hair shorter" is one of the worst things you could tell them. My mom tried following this rules and she became more insecure about her looks than an average teenager. I'm glad she's back slaying in summer dresses and tight leather skirts.
love love love this video!! imo fashion “rules” are meant to be broken + wearing what YOU like and how YOU want to express yourself is what fashion is all about!
When I got myself a new winter coat this year I got a larger size so I could ACTUALLY FIT chunky sweaters and whatever I wanted inside cuz it is cold asf in Canada and my old coat would cut off my circulation at my big chest and any chunkyness shirts on my arms…. But my moms concern was that it made me look “big from the back” and I was like ok and??? I don’t need to be looking snatched in -30 weather 😭and it’s a great color and style anyway who cares if it’s shapeless!
I specifically buy oversized and/or men's coats because they're often roomier. sick of wearing coats in the winter that DON'T have room for my cute sweaters! and I actually find the silhouette really cute lol
Fashion rules are just plain dumb. Wear what you like and ignore the haters, they're just jealous 😂 Loved this video, great job! I agree with every single point!
At 57 years old , I have FINALLY let go of caring what others think of me. I spent nearly six decades “following the rules,” and am well and truly done with that mess. Now I am dipping my toe into the quirkiness that is my true nature, and I am loving it! The fact that I live in a small, fairly rural town does make it a bit more challenging, but I get such a kick out of it when young people ask me where I got this or that. I also love to upcycle items that have been in my closet for years. Fashion has actually become a passion, after wearing the mom uniform of the Midwest (jeans, sweatshirts and sneaks) for way too long, and I look forward to putting together fun outfits each day. To anyone else that follows the fashion rules others set for us, I encourage you to break out and flex your creativity. Love the video, and I look forward to watching more. 😊
I live for pattern mixing and can I just say your 2 outfits you put together were so good!! super wearable takes on pattern mixing I feel like anyone could rock :)
5:15 thats why I'm glad that cute stuff seems to be coming in again? Big collars, smock dresses, oversized jumpers etc I think the summer is the best time for cute motifs too. Think, strawberry patterns
This boils down to a simple concept of "Rules were made to be broken". Think of all the fun fashion that would have been missed out on, had fashion icons followed all the rules.
I somehow had it ingrained (since I was little) that "you can’t wear brown and black", "you can’t wear navy and black" and "you can’t mix metals" so I subconsciously avoided those combinations. But then I saw people rocking them and I was like that looks so good, why did I think that and who even said that you can’t wear that? Those "rules" don’t make sense and kill creativity.
There is the "red hat" older woman thing. I don't remember exactly, but it was something about putting on a purple dress and a red hat and not caring. 😊 Also, clothing does not have a gender, it is cloth. My new favorite thing is wearing (originally intended for men) pajama pants as pants. Pure plaid awesomeness.
One fahsion rule that didn't get mentioned that I personally hate is the whole "dress for your color season/only wear colors that are flattering on your complexion". It puts such a restriction on personal expression! Plus the good colors usually end up looking only minorly more flattering than the "bad ones".
I've been rocking 'wrong shoe[/bag] theory' since before it became a thing. My favourite thing to do is to wear a monochrome (or all black) outfit and wear a trainer or bag that clashes or contrasts. It just adds a little something that just feels really me.
The navy and black combo “faux pas” is really old fashion advice. I guess people didn’t like the idea of garments that looks unintentionally mismatched as some navy shades are so close to black? 🤷🏼♀️ I got first aware of this “rule” around age 12 when I had a lovely block colored merinowool turtle neck in both colours (and a thin white row in between) I still think about that garment and how beautiful it was, and how strange that advice is.
I don't wear clothes that "flatter" my stature. I'm 4'11 and wear clothes I like, including long skirts and baggy clothing. I just love the way it looks on me. I also never wear heels or platforms with anything, I just get my clothes tailored to my height. I use to feel alot of pressure to appear taller but now I lean into being short because I can't change it! So I might as well wear what I want🤗
Here's a fashion quote by IRIS APFEL. "There's No How To Style. It's About Self-Expression And, Above All, ATTITUDE". Good vid btw keep doing ya thing.👍
Black and brown together slaps, no one will ever change my mind. They put it in patterns together (the iconic leopard, plaid, etc.) so it goes together. I can’t get on board with navy and black, they’re just too close and my spicy brain can’t handle it. Maybe a navy that’s bluer than black, like just a bit darker than royal blue. I also just don’t love navy lol. Let’s all just wear what makes us happy, any time of year, any age, any shape! Life’s too short not to do what you want and feel good about it. 💜
Omg Alexa! I‘ll always say why don’t we get those cute styles as the children?? That’s why I love Simone Rocha & Sister Jane! They always do those romantic, frilly things I adore so much!! ♥️
I am turning 48 this year and I still shop in the junior's department at times. Some of my favorite pieces include a cupcake print sweater and an alicorn print sweater that I bought when I worked at Justice several years ago. My manager laughed at me and said "you're really going to buy those?" Yes, I am and I still wear them every year.
Thank you somuch! About this" flatterimg thing": It seems to me that it mainly means " looking pleasurable to men" I always loved ponchos, tuniks, waterfallvests ect everything flowy...but since i lost 12 kg over the last 15 month: i always get told:" not flattering bc it hides your lovely body" " you should show your body more ect". Why? Why do people think i have to? Why do they think i dress for others?
I think that a lot of fashion rules were made by and for people that dress not because they want to express themselves, but that view fashion as mostly utilitarian. Or they are just boring people. T-shirts were first used as underwear and now nobody bats an eye whenever someone wear a simple white T. So people complaining about underwear being worn as outerwear don't know their history and they are complaining because they are not used to seeing it being worn that way. And I hate the idea that adult women wearing frills, bows and cute colours are trying to dress like children. Just look at the fashion of the past and you'll see those elements in adult's clothing. I look, for ex., at mod fashion and see women wearing colourful tights, but now when I try to find an online store that sells colourful tights for women, most of the results I get is for colourful tights for kids or tights for adults that are only in black and brown colours. Just because I am an adult, doesn't mean I want to wear neutrals and business casual all the time.
I think lots of us had this awkward phase in our life, usually during junior high and sometimes even earlier, when we couldn't find our size in kids clothes anymore and had to make this transition into adult stores while trying to stay in our style. And with that, the bigger cleavage, the sheer fabrics, the less bright or pastel colors etc. It was awful.
Thank you so much for standing up for us slip dress and skirt wearing girlies! I recently got into a big bust up with my mother over a skirt of this exact type and it really knocked my confidence, making me feel like maybe I shouldn't wear it. Thanks for reminding me i can wear what I want and I deserve to love my outfits! And BTW ur white tights are awesome I might get some of those too :)
Horizontal striped tops are one of my staple clothing items. I also dress more androgynous and more like 2014-2016 fashion so sometimes I feel self conscious around younger people because I feel like I look old/outdated. I love this video idea!
Also, the easiest way to mix patterns, in my opinion, is to pick a big pattern with a small one. for example, big polla dots item with a small striped one
I agree with kiddos having some of the best pieces. Both of my kids are in elementary school, so I love drop off in the morning to see all the fun ways they've all gotten dressed. The layering. The pattern mixing. The sheer CONFIDENCE. So inspiring. I honestly find the most inspiration from people who don't care, so kids and older folk. I love it. I'm in my 30's and I'll be damned if I let society tell me how I should look ever again. It already got my teens and 20's, its not getting anymore.
As someone in their mid40s, I can confidently confirm the rules are never worth it! Just last week, I paired torn up boyfriend jeans with a floral dress shirt, a fair isle sweater vest, and a plaid blazer with a paisley pocket square, all in the same color palette and all thrifted. Not only did I feel great in it, but everyone I ran into that day complimented me on my outfit, and my boyfriend said he loved my power-clashing skills.
The inspiration pictures, particularly the older women, are absolutely magnificent 👑 and everything I aspire to be. I really enjoyed this video and having us both be inspired.
I blanked on this when you first posted about this topic on your Ig story, but I think the “rule” that dark/black clothing is what’s appropriate for nightlife is actually dangerous! It’s harder to see, so it’s easier to get hit by a vehicle or something. Bright colors all the way for nighttime, for me anyways.
Yesss! Loved the video! Definitely would love to see more of this! The judgments and attention towards the “approval” of an outfit is absurd. Also something else to note in my opinion. Nothing can make you look like a child and nothing can make you look like an adult. YOU ARE YOUR AGE REGARDLESS! For example whatever a 12 year old girl wears does not connect them to being an adult or subject to certain behavior just because of the clothing choices!
omg I’ve never understood the black and brown not going together…. Like hellooo what about so many animal prints? I love them together just thrifted a black and brown dress today infact …
😊Yes! 🐆Cheetah print🐾 proves black & brown are 💯% meant to be together. Same w/camouflage🪖. 🤫More hesitant on navy & black. Reserve the right to evaluate on a case by case basis. There are times where the combo can be quite striking, & other times seem slightly off. That might have more to do w/the kinds of undertones & shades involved. I dunno. 🤔Overall, black is a powerfully bold neutral. More cautious about pairing it w/some lights & brights nowadays. I've come to believe it can deplete the vibrancy of some colors when they typically deserve to be ⭐️star of the show🎉. 🥰Mom's are funny creatures. 😘My fashionista mom would've preferred me in an unflattering coat over risking pneumonia🥶. Although in LA, it typically doesn't get as cold (30-50°) as our Northern neighbors. Still, coat checks aren't a standard feature here. Back in the old days, we'd hustle coatless from the car🚘 right to the 🕺club💃. 💚Bridget from Cali☘️ (using my pal's YT acct)
I work in the office of a busy court. Business casual. Slowly introducing my own style into expected “norms”… an older woman I work with does multi pattern sometimes and just some unexpected colors- I ALWAYS love it and compliment her.
I had no idea about the horizontal stripes thing being known by people! I’m 30 and grew up super deep into the punk/DIY scene in nyc and all of us were running around looking like the Hamburglar from 2008-2012 😂 to be honest, my mom had always freaked out about horizontal stripes but I wrote it off because she struggled with ED her whole life and I thought it was something she came up with
i combine black with brown and navy all the time! i always thought those rules were dumb. i also DESPISE the sentiment of “dressing your age”. i still want to wear super colorful, rainbow, frilly, glittery clothes, but people are so judgmental about it
The think the black and brown rule is very specific to no black belt with brown shoes or reversed. Theres a way to style it but people can make it look like a big mistake if they don’t know how to style themselves. I see guys do it all the time unknowingly. Especially with their work attire.
I looooooove horizontal stripes! A French girl tee (black or navy with white) is my signature print. I know it’s not “flattering”, and it’s definitely not my husband’s favorite on me, but I still feel like a million bucks in horizontal stripes!!!
Wait, horizontal stripes are ‘unfashionable?’ I love horizontal stripes! They’re a very simple pattern that just has such a whimsical and fun look to me. I actually own two striped tops that I wear frequently, especially in the fall and winter since they’re both long sleeved. I once got a complement from someone when I was wearing my pink, black, and white horizontally striped sweater!
😊You can relax. Stripes can be quite striking🎉. They're certainly NOT unfashionable. In fact, most ⚜️French Chic influencers advocate horizontal stripes. It is a decided part of their style repertoire. It can be a classic & elegant pattern. ⚠️Unfortunately, if you have big breasts (& wide hips to boot like I do) the horizontal stripes can draw 👁👁focus right to these specific areas in a seriously unflattering way😔. In my case, they actually exaggerate a feature I'd rather minimize. 🚧 The stripes feel like wearing a visual test pattern that indicate wide load ↔️. 😉As an extreme hourglass, it's not like there's any denying my proportions, but making it WORSE is certainly not one of my own personal objectives. 💚Bridget from Cali☘️ (using my pal's YT acct)
i never knew about the black and navy rule i’ve always thought they look cool together- plus i have navy blue hair and black is the only color i wear for the first couple weeks w dye so the color doesn’t show on my clothes lol i guess i’ve been breaking this rule for a while
It’s so funny because I remember a few years ago I thrifted some boxer shorts that I love wearing in the summer cuz they look like cute shorts! I wore them out and about to a coffee shop and got compliments on them but didn’t wear them again cuz I was just in my head about wearing underwear out … but now that they’re a more of a trend I may be seen styling some other boxers I have 😅 Also I love all these outfits so much!!! Your videos have helped my self confidence with outfits and fashion so much 🥹
I’m turning 30 this year and for my whole adult life I’ve been wearing plain, neutral (read beige and oatmeal) basic clothing. Which is totally fine if that’s your vibe, but I was dressing that way to hide. To hide myself, my femininity, to be the ‘mature’ person I should be. But this year I said no more! I’m doing frills and lace and bright red shoes and lipstick and tulle! I take note of children’s clothes because why not. I will be the 30 year old women who is dresses like a doll and that’s so liberating! Edit: the little top little bottom outfit with the white top and red cowboy boots is to die for 😍😍😍
Dear Alexa, I hope you are doing well? I love childrens clothing as well: pastel, quirky, joyful, frills! Are you also looking forward to spring? 🌸🤍 love from Switzerland
A rule I always heard is you can't wear white after labor day (not counting shirts, or sports clothes like tennis shoes). Like white was supposed to be for spring and summer only and they invented "winter white" ( cream) to wear in winter because technically it was not white.
Alexa, I am double your age, but you will not get me out of my Doc Martens and my motorcycle jackets! There is no such thing as dressing your age. I believe in dressing for your personality. Somedays, I am a linen pants an sweater set girl, somedays, I am wearing sequin pants and a sweater, other days I am in a leather skirt and over the knee boots! Just remember to always be you! One thing no one tells you about getting older. Your birthday may say you turned 60, but you will still feel like you're 30 inside. LIVE LIFE! I wish I could hang out with you and Carrie. I hope my profile pic shows I don't look my actual age! Beth xoxo
I tried big too big bottom last week and felt so cute in my outfit and my mom told me it’s so unflattering and makes me look big. I was actually upset because I felt so good until she made the comment
I think the navy/black and brown/black rules are kind of rooted in... not looking poor, effectively? Because matching pieces imply that you were financially stable enough to buy them at the same time, and older, faded black clothing will often start looking navy or brown.
The black and brown rule is a classic one that I see a lot of people still follow. It's either outfits with black at the core and cold tones around or brown at the core and beige, white, and warm tones around. To me is a bit boring so I'm happy to break that one
Even tho in general there's some esthetic sense in that.. lol Because for me grey works well with cold tones and black, but might clash with beige for example
I've never heard of the not wearing black and brown/navy together... Like never hahaha. But love the combination. To me black goes with everything. So it got me sooo confused. I'm 28 now, I do dress '' younger '' like bright clothes and more alternative. Feel like most women my age dress more '' basic '' and less '' outgoing '' which is okay! And the stripes... yesss. As a kid my mom told me stripes made me look '' fat '' ... I love watching people dressing themselfs, even if they don't have my style, I just love love love to look at other peoples outfits. It's inspiring too. Love it when people wear whatever they like. My rule is also there are no rules, just wear whatever you want, like and feel good in!
I’m in my 40’s and distinctly remember watching What Not to Wear and seeing the “no mini skirts over 35” sign in the opening credits over and over again. Needless to say , I have broken this rule many many times in the last 6 years. I’m not sure what people my age are even “supposed” to wear? I will show my thighs until the day I die soooo sorry Stacy and Clinton lol. It is what it is.
I think the whole older lady thing is that we I’m gonna say we cause I am over 30 so yea old and we don’t have the pressure to dress a certain way we don’t care as long as you are clean and happy who cares stay outta the box and stay thrifty ❤ love your channel 💜
I think “dressing your age” is more to do with the likes of Madonna, who dress as though they’re still 20 years old, which is actually ageing them, rather than looking youthful. Beyond that, I don’t see a problem with older people still enjoying fashion.
the "no black and brown" thing always confused me because... i mean literal humans come in that colorway and look great lmao. I'm already black and brown if I'm not wearing anything at all😅
Sometimes I wish I was small enough to fit in both adult and children's clothing 😂 But I'm very tall and I'm not losing an absurd amount of weight to do that
The reason i dont like navy and black together is it doesnt read as navy, it reads as one nice piece of black clothing and one faded piece of black clothing.
While there is undoubtedly a gender element to the "dressing your age" element, I think that if you imagine what the reaction would be to a man in his 30s wearing a Power Rangers t-shirt and Spongebob shorts, you might agree that this rule applies to some extent across genders. Personally, I think that as a child, there's more emphasis on having fun, experimenting, and just wearing what you like for no other reason than that you like it. You see a five year old in a clashy outfit she picked out, and you think it's cute and doesn't she look so happy and confident in it. As people grow up, room for making mistakes narrows dramatically. Now you're supposed to be serious and sophisticated. Every decision needs to be correct and approved of by your peers. And because experimentation necessitates mistakes, there can be no more of that, either. We are expected to focus on responsibility instead of fun. An interest in fashion in and of itself can be given the side eye by some because don't we have more important things to think about? (Personally, what I wear each day is the most consistent and exciting decision I regularly make, because what other interesting things are happening on a Wednesday? Am I seriously supposed to care more about handing receipts to customers at my retail job than how striking I look in my pink shirt, pink overalls, and pink shoes?!) Neutrals are the epitome of dressing safe and dressing serious. It's literally built into the name. If you are neutral, you can't possibly be wrong.
The black and navy rule was made because of classism. Rich men would be able to afford a full suit while poorer men would buy suits separately and the colors wouldn’t match as perfectly as the rich men’s suits. So it became a rule to not wear the two colors together because you’d be seen as poor.
This makes sense! Now i feel like the pendulum has swung the opposite direction. Camel/browns, blacks and creams (in any combo) look expensive to me!
Oh that makes sense. This advice always puzzled me. I thought it had something to do with mismatching - but I still couldn’t figure it out.
I don’t believe this is true
@@juliyanmartinez3785it is
Why do literal babies get to have more drip then me. I walk through h/m infant section and it’s literally so cute.
Thank you!! More dinosaur clothing for adults
I totally agree! Maybe one reason is bc its so much less fabric that its cheaper than if they used the same fabric and style for adult sizes so its worth it to sell them for baby/kids sizes 🧐 similar to the annoying plus size being more expensive than the same exact thing that is in straight size as it’s more fabric lol 🤦♀️
end all fashion rules!!!!!!!!!!!! just express urself authentically
I feel like the “dressing your age” thing is specifically targeted at women for sure. Because men wear t-shirts and jeans/khakis from birth it seems & people are okay with it. It’s interesting and definitely makes me not want to care at all. Lol
I've seen even the joke of adult men wearing the same type of pants and nerdy t-shirts as they did when they were kids.
Absolutely. The idea is older women serve no purpose. Don't even try to express youself verbally or with fashion. Go to the kitchen and stop 20:20 20:20 embarrassing yourself seems to be the message. I agee Alexa. WEAR WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. Someone wii find fault with you conform to rules or go your ownn way so just respect yourself.
I am turning 48 this year and I don't think I have ever dressed my age. I wear what I like and if people think it's "too young" for me, they can suck it. Lol
Right? Men can wear slacks and shorts and whatever, sneakers and such. Women of a "certain age" are told to dress with more luxurious fabrics and expensive jewels and better cut clothes and fancier options to "counter the fact" they look old. What about letting women look old in peace in their clothes of choice, without this very toxic concept of having to dress like age is a sin to be covered/countered?
Jeans and tshirts is my uniform. I’m 61 and will wear what I like😆
Black and brown is SUCH an iconic & autumnal mix! As a kid, I was told to never wear brown with black, but I’d also get tons of compliments at thanksgiving in 2016 when I’d wear the staple black tight turtleneck, button up suede brown circle skirt, and black knee high boots outfit. Goes back to feeling confident in your fashion choices and rocking what makes you feel good!
Love the concept and execution of this video. For the horizontal lines, the way you presented it made me think: horizontal lines > Wider > take up More space > we ALL have an inherent right to take up space (physically, mentally, visually, ) 🎉
I appreciate how you shout out to other content creators with body types different from you. They're driving home the same points and seeing the message echoed is reinforcing the idea that we can wear what we want.
As a mid-to-plus size gal, I always appreciate this.
As a daughter of a woman approaching 50 I feel like especially telling middle age women to "dress their age" or "cover up more" "cut their hair shorter" is one of the worst things you could tell them. My mom tried following this rules and she became more insecure about her looks than an average teenager. I'm glad she's back slaying in summer dresses and tight leather skirts.
love love love this video!! imo fashion “rules” are meant to be broken + wearing what YOU like and how YOU want to express yourself is what fashion is all about!
we love you
Love you Jessica!
When I got myself a new winter coat this year I got a larger size so I could ACTUALLY FIT chunky sweaters and whatever I wanted inside cuz it is cold asf in Canada and my old coat would cut off my circulation at my big chest and any chunkyness shirts on my arms…. But my moms concern was that it made me look “big from the back” and I was like ok and??? I don’t need to be looking snatched in -30 weather 😭and it’s a great color and style anyway who cares if it’s shapeless!
I specifically buy oversized and/or men's coats because they're often roomier. sick of wearing coats in the winter that DON'T have room for my cute sweaters! and I actually find the silhouette really cute lol
I literally remember my mom saying as a kid when we were looking for clothes for me, “Why can’t they make this in my size? This is so cute!” 😂
Fashion rules are just plain dumb. Wear what you like and ignore the haters, they're just jealous 😂 Loved this video, great job! I agree with every single point!
At 57 years old , I have FINALLY let go of caring what others think of me. I spent nearly six decades “following the rules,” and am well and truly done with that mess. Now I am dipping my toe into the quirkiness that is my true nature, and I am loving it! The fact that I live in a small, fairly rural town does make it a bit more challenging, but I get such a kick out of it when young people ask me where I got this or that. I also love to upcycle items that have been in my closet for years. Fashion has actually become a passion, after wearing the mom uniform of the Midwest (jeans, sweatshirts and sneaks) for way too long, and I look forward to putting together fun outfits each day. To anyone else that follows the fashion rules others set for us, I encourage you to break out and flex your creativity. Love the video, and I look forward to watching more. 😊
Brown,black ,navy all look great together!
I live for pattern mixing and can I just say your 2 outfits you put together were so good!! super wearable takes on pattern mixing I feel like anyone could rock :)
5:15 thats why I'm glad that cute stuff seems to be coming in again? Big collars, smock dresses, oversized jumpers etc I think the summer is the best time for cute motifs too. Think, strawberry patterns
This boils down to a simple concept of "Rules were made to be broken".
Think of all the fun fashion that would have been missed out on, had fashion icons followed all the rules.
I somehow had it ingrained (since I was little) that "you can’t wear brown and black", "you can’t wear navy and black" and "you can’t mix metals" so I subconsciously avoided those combinations. But then I saw people rocking them and I was like that looks so good, why did I think that and who even said that you can’t wear that? Those "rules" don’t make sense and kill creativity.
There is the "red hat" older woman thing. I don't remember exactly, but it was something about putting on a purple dress and a red hat and not caring. 😊
Also, clothing does not have a gender, it is cloth. My new favorite thing is wearing (originally intended for men) pajama pants as pants. Pure plaid awesomeness.
One fahsion rule that didn't get mentioned that I personally hate is the whole "dress for your color season/only wear colors that are flattering on your complexion". It puts such a restriction on personal expression! Plus the good colors usually end up looking only minorly more flattering than the "bad ones".
I've been rocking 'wrong shoe[/bag] theory' since before it became a thing. My favourite thing to do is to wear a monochrome (or all black) outfit and wear a trainer or bag that clashes or contrasts.
It just adds a little something that just feels really me.
The navy and black combo “faux pas” is really old fashion advice. I guess people didn’t like the idea of garments that looks unintentionally mismatched as some navy shades are so close to black? 🤷🏼♀️
I got first aware of this “rule” around age 12 when I had a lovely block colored merinowool turtle neck in both colours (and a thin white row in between) I still think about that garment and how beautiful it was, and how strange that advice is.
I don't wear clothes that "flatter" my stature. I'm 4'11 and wear clothes I like, including long skirts and baggy clothing. I just love the way it looks on me. I also never wear heels or platforms with anything, I just get my clothes tailored to my height. I use to feel alot of pressure to appear taller but now I lean into being short because I can't change it! So I might as well wear what I want🤗
Here's a fashion quote by IRIS APFEL. "There's No How To Style. It's About Self-Expression And, Above All, ATTITUDE". Good vid btw keep doing ya thing.👍
The brown hair looks sooooo good on you it makes your whole face look so lively
And her eyes pop
Black and brown together slaps, no one will ever change my mind. They put it in patterns together (the iconic leopard, plaid, etc.) so it goes together. I can’t get on board with navy and black, they’re just too close and my spicy brain can’t handle it. Maybe a navy that’s bluer than black, like just a bit darker than royal blue. I also just don’t love navy lol. Let’s all just wear what makes us happy, any time of year, any age, any shape! Life’s too short not to do what you want and feel good about it. 💜
Also, shout out to leopard with black and white stripes for pattern mixing! One of my faves.
I cant get behind navy at all. I wonder what it is....
Black brown and white are 💯
Omg Alexa! I‘ll always say why don’t we get those cute styles as the children?? That’s why I love Simone Rocha & Sister Jane! They always do those romantic, frilly things I adore so much!! ♥️
I love it, but it makes me wonder if you have "fashion rules" for your own personal styling. I'd be interested in seeing a video about that too!
I am turning 48 this year and I still shop in the junior's department at times. Some of my favorite pieces include a cupcake print sweater and an alicorn print sweater that I bought when I worked at Justice several years ago. My manager laughed at me and said "you're really going to buy those?" Yes, I am and I still wear them every year.
Thank you somuch!
About this" flatterimg thing":
It seems to me that it mainly means " looking pleasurable to men" I always loved ponchos, tuniks, waterfallvests ect everything flowy...but since i lost 12 kg over the last 15 month: i always get told:" not flattering bc it hides your lovely body" " you should show your body more ect".
Why? Why do people think i have to? Why do they think i dress for others?
I think that a lot of fashion rules were made by and for people that dress not because they want to express themselves, but that view fashion as mostly utilitarian. Or they are just boring people.
T-shirts were first used as underwear and now nobody bats an eye whenever someone wear a simple white T. So people complaining about underwear being worn as outerwear don't know their history and they are complaining because they are not used to seeing it being worn that way.
And I hate the idea that adult women wearing frills, bows and cute colours are trying to dress like children. Just look at the fashion of the past and you'll see those elements in adult's clothing. I look, for ex., at mod fashion and see women wearing colourful tights, but now when I try to find an online store that sells colourful tights for women, most of the results I get is for colourful tights for kids or tights for adults that are only in black and brown colours. Just because I am an adult, doesn't mean I want to wear neutrals and business casual all the time.
I think lots of us had this awkward phase in our life, usually during junior high and sometimes even earlier, when we couldn't find our size in kids clothes anymore and had to make this transition into adult stores while trying to stay in our style. And with that, the bigger cleavage, the sheer fabrics, the less bright or pastel colors etc. It was awful.
This brought back memories bc shopping was always so hard and i couldnt understand why there were no cute clothes anywhere
Me seeing adds for cute clothes on instagram and clicking and then discovering those clothes are childrens size😢
me literally on depop!!!!! why do kids get cute adorable cat sweaters!!!!
Same!
Mixing patterns is like the first step I follow when i want to seem more fashion forward that I am 😂 so not a fashion rule at all
Thank you so much for standing up for us slip dress and skirt wearing girlies! I recently got into a big bust up with my mother over a skirt of this exact type and it really knocked my confidence, making me feel like maybe I shouldn't wear it. Thanks for reminding me i can wear what I want and I deserve to love my outfits! And BTW ur white tights are awesome I might get some of those too :)
Horizontal striped tops are one of my staple clothing items. I also dress more androgynous and more like 2014-2016 fashion so sometimes I feel self conscious around younger people because I feel like I look old/outdated. I love this video idea!
Also, the easiest way to mix patterns, in my opinion, is to pick a big pattern with a small one.
for example, big polla dots item with a small striped one
I agree with kiddos having some of the best pieces. Both of my kids are in elementary school, so I love drop off in the morning to see all the fun ways they've all gotten dressed. The layering. The pattern mixing. The sheer CONFIDENCE. So inspiring. I honestly find the most inspiration from people who don't care, so kids and older folk. I love it. I'm in my 30's and I'll be damned if I let society tell me how I should look ever again. It already got my teens and 20's, its not getting anymore.
As someone in their mid40s, I can confidently confirm the rules are never worth it!
Just last week, I paired torn up boyfriend jeans with a floral dress shirt, a fair isle sweater vest, and a plaid blazer with a paisley pocket square, all in the same color palette and all thrifted. Not only did I feel great in it, but everyone I ran into that day complimented me on my outfit, and my boyfriend said he loved my power-clashing skills.
Absolutely mix prints! There are ways to do it and make it look great
The inspiration pictures, particularly the older women, are absolutely magnificent 👑 and everything I aspire to be. I really enjoyed this video and having us both be inspired.
I blanked on this when you first posted about this topic on your Ig story, but I think the “rule” that dark/black clothing is what’s appropriate for nightlife is actually dangerous! It’s harder to see, so it’s easier to get hit by a vehicle or something. Bright colors all the way for nighttime, for me anyways.
good point. my parents made me wear a big reflective heart keychain on me since i was 6 going to and from school when it was dark out
Yesss! Loved the video! Definitely would love to see more of this! The judgments and attention towards the “approval” of an outfit is absurd. Also something else to note in my opinion. Nothing can make you look like a child and nothing can make you look like an adult. YOU ARE YOUR AGE REGARDLESS! For example whatever a 12 year old girl wears does not connect them to being an adult or subject to certain behavior just because of the clothing choices!
omg I’ve never understood the black and brown not going together…. Like hellooo what about so many animal prints? I love them together just thrifted a black and brown dress today infact …
😊Yes! 🐆Cheetah print🐾 proves black & brown are 💯% meant to be together. Same w/camouflage🪖.
🤫More hesitant on navy & black. Reserve the right to evaluate on a case by case basis. There are times where the combo can be quite striking, & other times seem slightly off. That might have more to do w/the kinds of undertones & shades involved. I dunno.
🤔Overall, black is a powerfully bold neutral. More cautious about pairing it w/some lights & brights nowadays. I've come to believe it can deplete the vibrancy of some colors when they typically deserve to be ⭐️star of the show🎉.
🥰Mom's are funny creatures. 😘My fashionista mom would've preferred me in an unflattering coat over risking pneumonia🥶. Although in LA, it typically doesn't get as cold (30-50°) as our Northern neighbors. Still, coat checks aren't a standard feature here. Back in the old days, we'd hustle coatless from the car🚘 right to the 🕺club💃.
💚Bridget from Cali☘️
(using my pal's YT acct)
navy and black are my go to combo of colors!!! never understood why its a fashion rule to not lol
Listen, the fun crazy colorful clothing comes in adult sizes for a reason, it's to be worn by ab adult. I love dopamine dressing so much
Love the rat skirt and white boots and top. My next wedding dress LOLOLOLOL ❤
I work in the office of a busy court. Business casual. Slowly introducing my own style into expected “norms”… an older woman I work with does multi pattern sometimes and just some unexpected colors- I ALWAYS love it and compliment her.
These outfits were so well put together! 🖤
pattern clashing is the best ♥️
Im wearing black and brown together rn!! ❤
I love this video. The best outfits usually break fashion rules. You're outfits were all cute.
I had no idea about the horizontal stripes thing being known by people! I’m 30 and grew up super deep into the punk/DIY scene in nyc and all of us were running around looking like the Hamburglar from 2008-2012 😂 to be honest, my mom had always freaked out about horizontal stripes but I wrote it off because she struggled with ED her whole life and I thought it was something she came up with
I love horizontal stripes omg.
Your bangs grew fast wow!!❤
Love how the white top and short skirt is giving Jessie from Toy Story ☺️
Looooooooooooooooooooooove the "masculine" outfit you put together. The silhouette is SO good!
I loved your maxi skirt outfit, the stripes and slip dress one! Such a great video, please do more of this
Black and brown unity !!
this is an awesome video!! i really love all the outfits you put together!!!
i always had beef with the black and brown don’t go together thing bc i’m literally brown LOL, i’m very adamant that brown goes with everything 😂
i combine black with brown and navy all the time! i always thought those rules were dumb. i also DESPISE the sentiment of “dressing your age”. i still want to wear super colorful, rainbow, frilly, glittery clothes, but people are so judgmental about it
The think the black and brown rule is very specific to no black belt with brown shoes or reversed. Theres a way to style it but people can make it look like a big mistake if they don’t know how to style themselves. I see guys do it all the time unknowingly. Especially with their work attire.
I looooooove horizontal stripes! A French girl tee (black or navy with white) is my signature print. I know it’s not “flattering”, and it’s definitely not my husband’s favorite on me, but I still feel like a million bucks in horizontal stripes!!!
Wait, horizontal stripes are ‘unfashionable?’ I love horizontal stripes! They’re a very simple pattern that just has such a whimsical and fun look to me. I actually own two striped tops that I wear frequently, especially in the fall and winter since they’re both long sleeved. I once got a complement from someone when I was wearing my pink, black, and white horizontally striped sweater!
😊You can relax. Stripes can be quite striking🎉. They're certainly NOT unfashionable. In fact, most ⚜️French Chic influencers advocate horizontal stripes. It is a decided part of their style repertoire. It can be a classic & elegant pattern.
⚠️Unfortunately, if you have big breasts (& wide hips to boot like I do) the horizontal stripes can draw 👁👁focus right to these specific areas in a seriously unflattering way😔. In my case, they actually exaggerate a feature I'd rather minimize.
🚧 The stripes feel like wearing a visual test pattern that indicate wide load ↔️. 😉As an extreme hourglass, it's not like there's any denying my proportions, but making it WORSE is certainly not one of my own personal objectives.
💚Bridget from Cali☘️
(using my pal's YT acct)
I love that rat skirt so much! I get jelly every time I see it
i never knew about the black and navy rule i’ve always thought they look cool together- plus i have navy blue hair and black is the only color i wear for the first couple weeks w dye so the color doesn’t show on my clothes lol i guess i’ve been breaking this rule for a while
It’s so funny because I remember a few years ago I thrifted some boxer shorts that I love wearing in the summer cuz they look like cute shorts! I wore them out and about to a coffee shop and got compliments on them but didn’t wear them again cuz I was just in my head about wearing underwear out … but now that they’re a more of a trend I may be seen styling some other boxers I have 😅
Also I love all these outfits so much!!! Your videos have helped my self confidence with outfits and fashion so much 🥹
I’m turning 30 this year and for my whole adult life I’ve been wearing plain, neutral (read beige and oatmeal) basic clothing. Which is totally fine if that’s your vibe, but I was dressing that way to hide. To hide myself, my femininity, to be the ‘mature’ person I should be. But this year I said no more! I’m doing frills and lace and bright red shoes and lipstick and tulle! I take note of children’s clothes because why not. I will be the 30 year old women who is dresses like a doll and that’s so liberating!
Edit: the little top little bottom outfit with the white top and red cowboy boots is to die for 😍😍😍
There it is, you inspired me to wear black and brown today lol
Yes!!!! 🙌🏻
Dear Alexa, I hope you are doing well? I love childrens clothing as well: pastel, quirky, joyful, frills! Are you also looking forward to spring? 🌸🤍 love from Switzerland
Loved this video! Wear what you like, how you like it and dress for YOU first 🎉
I love people watching, and the rule breakers are way more interesting visually
A rule I always heard is you can't wear white after labor day (not counting shirts, or sports clothes like tennis shoes). Like white was supposed to be for spring and summer only and they invented "winter white" ( cream) to wear in winter because technically it was not white.
Alexa, I am double your age, but you will not get me out of my Doc Martens and my motorcycle jackets! There is no such thing as dressing your age. I believe in dressing for your personality. Somedays, I am a linen pants an sweater set girl, somedays, I am wearing sequin pants and a sweater, other days I am in a leather skirt and over the knee boots! Just remember to always be you! One thing no one tells you about getting older. Your birthday may say you turned 60, but you will still feel like you're 30 inside. LIVE LIFE! I wish I could hang out with you and Carrie. I hope my profile pic shows I don't look my actual age! Beth xoxo
I tried big too big bottom last week and felt so cute in my outfit and my mom told me it’s so unflattering and makes me look big. I was actually upset because I felt so good until she made the comment
I have never followed fashion and I have never understood why anyone would do so.
omg i never thought my answer would ever make it into one of these videos
I love how you styled your hair as well!! I have black curly hair and to be honest at time it gets a little boring cause it's hard to style them😅💜
I think the navy/black and brown/black rules are kind of rooted in... not looking poor, effectively? Because matching pieces imply that you were financially stable enough to buy them at the same time, and older, faded black clothing will often start looking navy or brown.
The black and brown rule is a classic one that I see a lot of people still follow.
It's either outfits with black at the core and cold tones around or brown at the core and beige, white, and warm tones around.
To me is a bit boring so I'm happy to break that one
Even tho in general there's some esthetic sense in that.. lol
Because for me grey works well with cold tones and black, but might clash with beige for example
Know the rules…so you can break them. 😏 Loved this! 💯👏
Horizontal stripes tho have that whole French girl moment. Think Taylor swifts Red era. They were everywhere….but only black and white! 😂
Great inspiring video. I grew up following not wearing brown with black. I don’t care anymore
I didn't even realize the navy + black thing. I literally only wear navy lipstick and black dresses
I am over 50 and if I wore some of the clothing oriented to kids would actually make me "look older".
Underwear as clothes is my favourite thing to wear. Fashion is art and good art is always subversive ❤
if it looks good on you and you feel confident that's all that matters
I've never heard of the not wearing black and brown/navy together... Like never hahaha. But love the combination. To me black goes with everything. So it got me sooo confused.
I'm 28 now, I do dress '' younger '' like bright clothes and more alternative. Feel like most women my age dress more '' basic '' and less '' outgoing '' which is okay!
And the stripes... yesss. As a kid my mom told me stripes made me look '' fat '' ...
I love watching people dressing themselfs, even if they don't have my style, I just love love love to look at other peoples outfits. It's inspiring too. Love it when people wear whatever they like. My rule is also there are no rules, just wear whatever you want, like and feel good in!
I'd love to try pattern mixing but it's so hard to look good😢
I was one of the people who suggested the blue and black rule. It's such a stupid rule.
it is! i have navy hair and wear black all the time and i think it’s one of the coolest combos- plus the dye doesn’t show up on black :)
I’m in my 40’s and distinctly remember watching What Not to Wear and seeing the “no mini skirts over 35” sign in the opening credits over and over again. Needless to say , I have broken this rule many many times in the last 6 years. I’m not sure what people my age are even “supposed” to wear? I will show my thighs until the day I die soooo sorry Stacy and Clinton lol. It is what it is.
I think the whole older lady thing is that we I’m gonna say we cause I am over 30 so yea old and we don’t have the pressure to dress a certain way we don’t care as long as you are clean and happy who cares stay outta the box and stay thrifty ❤ love your channel 💜
I think “dressing your age” is more to do with the likes of Madonna, who dress as though they’re still 20 years old, which is actually ageing them, rather than looking youthful. Beyond that, I don’t see a problem with older people still enjoying fashion.
the "no black and brown" thing always confused me because... i mean literal humans come in that colorway and look great lmao. I'm already black and brown if I'm not wearing anything at all😅
Sometimes I wish I was small enough to fit in both adult and children's clothing 😂
But I'm very tall and I'm not losing an absurd amount of weight to do that
Look I am over 50 and definitely dress however the fk I want lol, it’s so refreshing.
I even wear kids tights because why not? They fit me!
Also you’re 29? Damn you look super young. I think your style makes you transcend age because you’re not getting boring !
So many ridiculous “fashion rules”…. Wear what you like. If you feel comfortable or confident or whatever in it, wear it.
The reason i dont like navy and black together is it doesnt read as navy, it reads as one nice piece of black clothing and one faded piece of black clothing.
While there is undoubtedly a gender element to the "dressing your age" element, I think that if you imagine what the reaction would be to a man in his 30s wearing a Power Rangers t-shirt and Spongebob shorts, you might agree that this rule applies to some extent across genders. Personally, I think that as a child, there's more emphasis on having fun, experimenting, and just wearing what you like for no other reason than that you like it. You see a five year old in a clashy outfit she picked out, and you think it's cute and doesn't she look so happy and confident in it. As people grow up, room for making mistakes narrows dramatically. Now you're supposed to be serious and sophisticated. Every decision needs to be correct and approved of by your peers. And because experimentation necessitates mistakes, there can be no more of that, either. We are expected to focus on responsibility instead of fun. An interest in fashion in and of itself can be given the side eye by some because don't we have more important things to think about? (Personally, what I wear each day is the most consistent and exciting decision I regularly make, because what other interesting things are happening on a Wednesday? Am I seriously supposed to care more about handing receipts to customers at my retail job than how striking I look in my pink shirt, pink overalls, and pink shoes?!) Neutrals are the epitome of dressing safe and dressing serious. It's literally built into the name. If you are neutral, you can't possibly be wrong.