We’re living in an era that is accepting and encouraging of all sorts of outfit juxtapositions, colours, fabrications, silhouettes and combinations. Never before has there been as much variety in fashion and style as there is right now. Although the fashion industry has a long way to go, it’s also more diverse than it used to be. All this to say that there is absolutely no one way to be stylish. That’s the style principle that grows stronger each year. 

As a result, the style guidelines that ruled supreme as recently as five years ago are dated now. Today the goal is to create an open-minded fashion and style world that is relatable, manageable, affordable, practical, sustainable and fun. Here are seven guidelines that aren’t as important as they used to be.

A Polished Style is Best

A polished appearance used to be the pinnacle of style. Fashionable clothing that is pressed and fits to perfection. Immaculate make-up, pristine nail polish, coiffed hair, glowing skin, and a graceful demeanour. Tidy, sharp, scented and having excellent posture at all times. Power to those who can achieve a polished style naturally and with ease, but it’s only one way to go, and not the best way if it causes you stress and discomfort. 

These days having a more forgiving style that is “rough around the edges” (RATE) is considered just as fashionable and stylish. A RATE style is often more achievable, and can look interesting, gritty, and urban. Case in point: Many models these days are styled with messy hair and look deliberately dishevelled. 

Don’t Wear White After Labour Day & Before Memorial Day

I read about this dressing guideline when we moved to the US thirteen years ago. At first I thought it wasn’t serious — it was that foreign to me. But it was, and I’ve had several clients ask me how I felt about it over the years. WEAR WHITE YEAR ROUND in all wardrobe items. 

Stick to Seasonally Appropriate Colours 

There is no need to stick to a rigid colour palette that reflects the season. Wear brights and pastels in Autumn and Winter. Wear grey, black and earth tones in Spring and Summer. The guideline is to wear the colours that make you happy throughout the year because your colours are always in style.  

Only Dress for Your Body Type

Body type dressing guidelines were extremely popular about ten years ago. And while they do provide a solid starting point if you want to create traditionally flattering outfit proportions that are visually balanced and slimming, you don’t have to stick to them to look fabulous. These days, it’s a much better idea to come up with an individual set of figure flattering priorities that makes you feel fab in outfits. That way you shan’t feel restricted and “left out” when you love a trend and want to wear it, but your body type guidelines suggest otherwise. Finding the version of a trend that works for you is a much more open and accepting approach to style. Just as it should be. 

Always Create Tall, Slim, Hourglass Proportions 

Just like you don’t need to stick to body type dressing guidelines to look fabulous, you don’t need to wear outfits that make you look taller, slimmer and curvier to look stylish. Creating proportions that are “just flattering enough” is the modern approach to dressing, and more interesting and creative too. Slouchy silhouettes, oversized fits, shortened leg lines, shortened heights, surrendered waistlines, and horizontal integrity can add a whole lot of sass, ease and comfort to your style. That’s just what we need so that we can forget about our outfits and and get on with our day. 

Heeled Footwear Elevates an Outfit 

Less than ten years ago, you were at a stylish disadvantage if you couldn’t wear heels because they were thought to kick most outfits up a notch. These days, flat footwear and low heels up to an inch and half are as stylish and on trend as ever. You can wear them with anything. In fact, because dressy flats are widely available, there is no reason to wear heeled footwear unless you prefer the vibe and they make your feet happy. 

Less is More

You might prefer simple outfits that are visually minimal, but they’re not the stylish benchmark anymore. Eight years ago, it was a faux pas to wear more than one animal printed item in an outfit. These days the only limit to the number of patterns, accessories and colours in an outfit is your own tolerance for the combination. 

We all have our preferences, but no one wants to be boxed into only one way of creating a stylish appearance. The PERSONAL in personal style reigns supreme. Empowering, liberating and modern.

This ensemble was inspired by clients who have sworn off wearing T-shirts with shorts in the Summer because the combination doesn’t make them feel fab. They love to wear shorts, but they just don’t feel good in T-shirts despite the fact that they are easy to launder and affordable. They were looking for a step-up from the ubiquitous basic tee that was as casual but more polished and feminine. 

I made two suggestions for T-shirt substitutes: a knitted top, and a woven boho blouse. The latter has been popular, even for those who swore they “don’t do boho”. I guess it’s the ease, interest, relaxed vibe, coverage, and forgiving silhouette of the boho blouse that has created the appeal. 

Choose any colour palette. Here are the components of the outfit formula. 

Shorts: Choose a pair of denim, cotton or linen shorts at a length that tickles your fancy. Choose solids or patterns. Blue denim shorts work particularly well with boho blouses because they are versatile and crease-resistant.  

Boho Blouse: Choose a cotton, silk or linen-rich blouse with a bohemian integrity that works with the bottoms. Think peasant and gypsy styles that are breezy, pretty, and somewhat drapey. Sleeved or sleeveless, patterned or solid, it’s all good. 

Footwear: Finish off the outfit with casual flat footwear. Think sandals, sneakers, espadrilles, or any other kind of casual flat. I’ve seen the look paired with heels, but personally much prefer it with flats. 

Accessories: Add a casual bag like a hobo, crossbody or straw tote. Add jewellery, watch, headgear and eyewear as desired.

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Fab Links from Our Members

This “107 outfits with 14 Pieces” video from Toronto stylist Christie Ressel totally rocked La Belle Demimondaine’s world.

For those of us who plan to travel this Summer, and want to lighten the load, La Belle Demimondaine found two minimalist packing articles. She says: “My a-ha! moment: pack trial sizes, then pick up more as you need to, during your travels.”

Rachylou wanted to share this outspoken interview with Lucinda Chambers, who was unceremoniously fired after 36 years at British Vogue.

Angie directs us to this Guardian article about how bloggers and “influencers” are “celebrating mature consumers.”

Jenni NZ was surprised to read that many clothing items are worn just seven times.

Joy thought Janice’s post on planning your entire wardrobe was good food for thought, especially for those doing the 30X30 challenge or wanting to organize a smaller wardrobe. She adds: “I am nowhere near this possibility but have thought of limiting neutrals by season… one light and one dark.”

With increasingly fussy feet, I’m down to wearing heels that are between half and one and a half inches. One inch heels are my favourite. My collection of two and two and a half inch pumps and booties are no longer wearable except as “sitting shoes”. Since I’m on the go most of the time, that won’t work. So I’m making footwear a purchasing priority this year. 

I’m taking it one retail season at a time and being very picky and extra careful about the shoes that earn a place in my closet. Thankfully, the trends are on my side at the moment, with flats being very fashionable. I also adore a stable low block heel. Comfortable, flat or low-heeled casual shoes aren’t that hard to find, but their dressy cousins are. With patience and the decision to duplicate to a level that was outside my comfort zone, I found what I needed. 

I prefer to wear closed-toe shoes in warm and hot weather for a myriad of reasons, which is why I had a moderate collection of higher heeled pumps and ankle strap pumps. They were perfect for working with clients, date night, events, and other social occasions. Now that I’ve said goodbye to wearing heels that high for client appointments and most social occasions, I needed a dressy flat substitute. Enter the Franco Sarto Jolette Penny Loafer. Sized down, they fit my low volume feet perfectly and are very comfortable. 

I bought the loafers in red because I was in the mood for red shoes. After road-testing them in Spring and loving them, I duplicated in white because my old white Paul Green loafers were finished. I travelled to see my Dad in the Netherlands with the white loafers, and they REALLY go the distance. I reach for them more than the red because white flats are a wardrobe essential for my style. The white scuffs more easily than the red, so they’ll look shabby faster. So a month ago, I decided to duplicate the white loafers so that I have a pristine pair ready to go next year.

Two weeks ago, I also decided to get a pair of the same loafers in blush because I’m enjoying my blush sneakers enormously (but can’t see clients in sneakers). This brings me to a grand total of THREE pairs of the same loafer in a range of colours that are in rotation at the same time, and a new pair of white in reserve for next year. 

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SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer (Women)

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SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer

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SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer

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This type of shoe duplication is new to me. I’ve duplicated a pair to have it in reserve for the next season fairly regularly, but haven’t duplicated the same style in different colours and worn them during the same season. I thought long and hard about the duplication because I don’t want to get bored of the style, or have orphaned colours, but so far it’s working out well. I’m reaching for them frequently because they work with most of my Spring and Summer outfits. They look good with cropped straight and flared jeans/pants, wide leg crops, shirt dresses, and patterned cigarette pants. They are perfect for client shopping days because they’re very comfortable AND dressy. I’m wearing them as a substitute for pumps. 

It helps that I’ve built accessory complements with the loafers, making them easy to incorporate into outfits. I thoroughly enjoy the look of a modern classic and refined penny loafer, so I’m not tiring of the style.

I tried to make the Gucci loafer work, but it’s too wide for my feet no matter what I did to doctor the style. I had a pair of white Salvatore Ferragamo loafers at one point, but the buckles fell off so I haven’t been keen to try them again. I feel lucky to have found the more affordable Franco Sarto Jolettes, because they create a similar vibe and are very versatile.

For me, this is extreme shoe duplication, and very much an experiment. I haven’t regretted duplicating a pair of comfortable shoes yet, so I’m hopeful that the strategy works. It does make things very easy, but whether I’m sick of loafers in four months or have an orphaned blush pair remains to be seen. I’ll update you at the beginning of Autumn. In the meantime, you can call me Loafer Gal, and I’m curious to hear about your footwear duplication strategies.