The rules of dressing well

By Claire Ellis

RECENTLY I’ve been asked some interesting questions about the ‘rules’ of dressing well and each time it’s been totally unexpected and left me a little stunned. It’s the concept that there are generic rules that apply to everyone that confuses me.

Perhaps because I’ve not exactly been a follower of fashion I’ve never really been aware of any rules and as such have always kind of done my own thing, making many, many mistakes along the way.

For example there were the burgundy drainpipe hipster jeans I bought on a school skiing trip to France. These may not sound so bad given recent youthful trends for any colour goes skinny jeans but this particular gem of a purchase was made in 1990 – hipster was definitely not ‘in’ neither was the mustard sweater I wore with them and even though the bowler hat was from reliably high fashion Top Shop and the basketball boots were on trend, as a whole it was not a good look!

Perhaps back then I could have done with a few rules myself – like shoes and hand bag should coordinate, one should not wear more than two colours at a time, earrings, necklace and bracelet should always match etc...

However, now, when I’m asked about these baffling rules I always tell my clients the same thing and although I made many mistakes when I was younger its making these style mistakes that’s given me my confidence today.

So what do I reply when asked about the rules? Well when it comes to great style there really is only one rule:

If your outfit makes you feel good about yourself then it will look good.

Truly great style is only really achieved when your look reflects your personality and if you’re following rules set by someone else how can that possibly happen?

I call it Free Style.

Claire Ellis
www.MirrorImagePersonalStyling.co.uk

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