Fashion Rules Are Outdated

Fashion changes as the season changes, and most importantly, we as people, change. Our tastes develop, styles grow and opinions adjust, and I would always maintain that preaching, and living by stringent fashion rules is a mistake, and here's why.

I too have been privy to style growth over the years and once firmly believed that wearing black and brown together was the ultimate sin and slogan tops were for the dammed; even the wonderful Victoria Beckham told us “Some wedges are great but you can look like your feet are encased in cement” yet still sported them herself, the Chloe buckled platform wedge seemingly being a firm favourite of hers.

Don't put yourself in a box, even if it is a fashionable one, because future you will probably have a change of heart.

But, with that being said, I do have 3, vague guidelines when it comes to style that I try to live by:

Number 1:

Don't Lose Yourself, Don't Lose Your Style.

Clothes always look best on someone who's happy to be in them. Always.

Trends can come and go, but your style is your own, and regardless of trends, what your friends are wearing or even your favourite fashion bloggers, if something isn't for you, don't wear it, and especially don't buy it, just for the sake of it.

You can always be inspired by people who dress completely differently to you; you can admire them and keep updated with them, but it doesn't mean dressing the same if deep down, it doesn't make you feel like you.

Upon moving to the big smoke and working in my first fashion office, I seemed to be one of the only girls to appreciate a floral prom dress, lace shifts and pearl trimmed blouses, while everyone else was styling ripped denim, oversized shirts and trainer collections. I ended up experimenting with my style in the same way as a result; it wasn't me, and it never would be me – and that was okay.

You can't establish your own style if you're so influenced by others that you forget what you love, and what your style is, ultimately falling into wearing what your style wouldn't choose normally – don't lose yourself, don't lose your style.

Number 2:

The Surprising Pieces, Sometimes Become My Favourite Pieces

Bearing rule number 1 in mind, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't try something new or give something a chance. Hanger appeal isn't always accurate, and you shouldn't miss out on something because you never gave it a fair opportunity. Sometimes you need to try a piece or a trend before you establish it's not for you, because sometimes, you'll be surprised. I've been surprised in the past, and found it's the surprising pieces, that sometimes become my favourite pieces.

I'd argue that fashion is about taking a chance and being creative – refer to rule number 1 after you've been open minded, but it's that initial open mind which sometimes provides your favourite outfits, your most treasured pieces and adapts your style through the times.

Number 3:

Landfills Are bursting At The Seams

This is really important and The Clothing Consultant touches on it regularly, but sustainability is a massive discussion in the fashion industry right now, and rightly so, too. So, with that being said, I'm going to advise that everyone should make an effort to dispose of things ethically.

I don't have the bank account to afford the clothes that my heart really wants; in the fashion sense of the quote, I live a Champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget!

I wish it wasn't the case, and I long to live in designer clothes, with a collection of Chanel pearls, Lady Dior handbags, Manolo Blahnik heels and Dolce accessories, all in a walk in wardrobe big and stylish enough to display them, (just like the one below, which my old Ted Baker colleagues kindly Photoshopped my face into as a leaving card because they know me so well!) but right now, I can't. I'm saying right now, because I believe in thinking what you want into existence!

Anyway, just because my wardrobe isn't designer, it doesn't mean that I'm going to fall into a trap of treating lower priced clothes disrespectfully. I'm by no means protesting to own nothing from value, fashion brands, because I do - I actually own a fair amount and I browse their apps regularly too; I find loads of great pieces which I love that would be considered from a “fast fashion” company, but, when purchasing from such retailers, I don't treat them with a disposable attitude as I feel I'm seeing more in recent times from more than I'd like to.

The trap we seem to fall into is that when we don't pay much for an item, we seem to value it less, and dispose of it unethically – it should mean the same as anything else in your wardrobe. When we buy from these brands for a specific occasion for example, it seems as though many instantly put a stamp on the item that says it's a one wear piece that then doesn't receive the same treatment as our other clothes, and that's where the problem begins.

The high street is full of great brands and options, but it doesn't have to mean that you impact the planet negatively at the same time. You, as do I, and as we all do, have a responsibility to ensure sensibility when disposing of clothes. No matter where your clothes are from, respect them, and most importantly, look after them.

This isn't about looking down my nose and snubbing cheaper brands – their prices, choice and brand identity that they've established has to be respected; it may not be me, but I love the attitude and sass that Pretty Little Thing, Boohoo, Nasty Gal and Missguided have created that's so recognisable as their own. Even their packaging with unicorns and pouts along with the advertising on the underground and even black cabs takes their brand to new promoting levels – they're unmissable. Admirable, actually. In The Style with their ground breaking influencer collaborations which began the trend for influencer fashion is incredible, intelligent branding. Another personal favourite value brand of mine is Shein for their truly unique finds; they have product you don't really find anywhere else with their options in tweed and pearls. However, the fact of the matter is, fashion is the second largest unethical and environmentally damaging industry after oil. That is fact. And that is scary.

Landfills are bursting at the seams (couldn't resist that one) with mountains of textile – this can be avoided if we don't have to throw clothes away so quickly because the seams have burst or the fabric has snagged due to the garment not being cared for. It's unnecessary additional waste, and it is far more likely that cheaper-made clothes contribute in higher volumes where they've been disregarded by the customer quicker than they would have been had they have paid more. This alone is the reason it's imperative to look after and respect your clothes, no matter where they're from, but especially if you paid less.

The most effective way to ensure a decrease in landfills, is to of course avoid just throwing away your clothes when clearing out – you'd be surprised as to how many people actually do this, I've seen it with my own eyes. Be creative here and cut them up to make something else or use them as lounge-wear. Give them to your friends who have been eyeing them up, or Sister's, Mum's, Aunts or even Grans - sell them online and make some money back, or better yet, give them to charity. There are loads of sites you can sell your clothes on, and there are charity shops screaming out for unwanted items to help the less fortunate – make a fashionable difference.

I wouldn't consider myself the most environmentally aware person out there; I recycle and do my bit, but I'm not as involved as it may seem after reading point 3. I could probably do more, we probably all could, but, I'm aware that I do love, live in and work in, a really environmentally damaging industry, and doing my little bit, is actually doing a lot more than people realise.