Rule Breakin’ 101
I’ve always been a bit of a rule breaker - nothing criminal, just an envelope pusher, albeit sometimes hard. However, when it comes to style and fashion I’ve always followed the rules that were made a very long time ago. Sally has terrific fashion sense and has turned me onto several style blogs with some serious envelope pushers. With a new life ahead of me, I decided to take the plunge and break out of my fashion rule following. (Nothing too crazy yet though, I am a mom in my 40s! *)
The first rule pitched was that socks with sandals thing. I am head over heels (ha!) with my Swedish Hasbeen sandals and have been looking at them lovingly and longingly in my closet, waiting for summer to come back. I bravely and boldly grabbed some fabulous striped SmartWool socks, - I so don’t do cold feet - my comfy jeans and sweater, and my Hasbeens. (I’ve found an old favorite clothing staple is key in shaking things up - baby steps.) And check me out - doin’ the socks and sandals thing!
Next up - mixing metals. I have worn silver jewelry exclusively for most of my life but was recently given a beautiful necklace as a gift with both silver and gold strands. Since I’ve had this ring in my jewelry box forever which my great-grandfather made for my grandmother over 100 years ago, I slipped it on a gold hoop, and there it’s stayed in my top piercing for several weeks now - nary a care as to matching it with the other earrings I wear. I even wear a gold bracelet with my silver rings. Girlz, I’m gettin’ crazy!
So break those rules! We’re lucky to live in Portland after all - we can do anything! Now excuse me, I have some more rules to break!
(*I don’t see myself in white between labor and memorial day though!)
Pulling it Off
Repeatedly I hear from customers “Oh, I can’t pull that shoe/boot off.” Poppycock! Unless you are a child in lucite or a teenager toddling on too high of a heel, strangers just do not say, “she can’t pull that off.” Shoes/boots are as individualistic as women and can define a playful, serious, or sexy side of self. They may dress up an old outfit or add a splash of color to a monochromatic one. Confident or coy, sassy or sincere, footwear creates the look, the style, the energy of your being.
There are myriad rules for clothing and only one for footwear - comfort. They need not “match” your outfit, nor are there silly fingertip length rules. They are for you to feel fantastic and offer a peek to the rest of the world as to who you are - at least for that moment.
So no more of that “I-can’t-pull-this-off” thinking. If you are drawn to a shoe/boot, you can pull it off because you like it. And quite frankly, that’s all that really matters.
Here are a few pics of ladies rocking it. Hopefully they inspire you!
(Images from The Sartorialist and Advanced Style.)
