What's your beloved item that bends the rules?

Springing off Adelfa's post:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ost-104731

This got me thinking about a couple of things in my closet that I love but where is suspect I'm "breaking the rules". Having a few of these things is part of the joy of fashion, as Adelfa suggests. I think the reason we have such items is that they make us feel a certain way, and that feeling overrides traditional figure flattery arguments.

For example, I own a long black leather coat. While it doesn't look terrible on me, it does reach mid-calf, so not the best length on a very petite woman. And I don't wear it much anyway because it rains a lot here, it doesn't feel right for daytime wear, and it's a lot of material to have flapping behind you as you walk. And when I do wear it, I need to have reasonably high, chunky heels, and the right kind of pants, for it to look right. But the odd night when I bring it out, IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE BUFFY. (Or maybe Spike). Like I said, the material flaps behind me when I walk. Enough said!

What's your item -- the one you love but that pushes the figure flattery boundaries?

12 years ago

rute

Veteran

I have a few:
-Voluminous dresses that hide my waists
-Longer tunics (beeing short I should avoid making my legs even shorter) I love to wear on weekends.

milehighstyle (Linda)

My oxford shoes do no favors to my short, thick calves, but sometimes I wear them with skirts anyway.

ManidipaM

Longer length straight midis. I am petite and stocky.

Anonymous

I have a few waist-surrendering chiffon tops. They're not overly voluminous, though, and look fine as long as I wear them with slim-legged pants.
\

ETA cropped pants. They're supposedly a "no no" for petites, but I think they're fine as long as the legs are tapered and they're not too long. Besides, what else are petites supposed to wear during the hot summer months? I never have been able to find shorts I like, and it's impossible to find long pants that are lightweight and don't have a blankety-blank elastic or drawstring waist.

K. Period.

Ah ha! You had me at Buffy. Or Spike. (After all, Billy Idol stole the look from Spike. )

Mine are crop pants. I like 'em. Actually, I love 'em. And I wear them. I'm careful to wear more flattering versions of them, but I wear them knowing that they don't fit the rules entirely. And you know what? Angie even picked out one pair for me. (White linen clams.) They fit just right and are flattering on me. That's what cracks me up when I sometimes see people so focused on the rules as hard and fast, immutable, unchangeable, never to be violated. Nothing wrong with that. It is safe. It just isn't entirely true. There aren't rules. There are guidelines. And if something brings you joy, then you can bend a few guidelines now and then.

Suz

(website)

Rules, schmules.

I'm not sure I have particular beloved items that bend the rules in themselves. It's more the way of combining.

For instance, I regularly wear shorter jackets with skinnies. And tucked or semi-tucked tops with skinnies. I know the conventional wisdom is to wear longer tops, untucked, and longer jackets with slim bottoms. But I don't like that proportion as well on me. So there.

For me, wearing booties with skirts and dresses pretty much qualifies as a broken rule, too - certainly it is less than perfectly figure flattering. But whatever. It's practical and I also feel more current than if I wear a Mary Jane (the only other shoe style I can keep on my feet!)

Amy

I like shoes with a high vamp even though they can stumpify ones legs.

Suz, I'm with you on the shoes. I have the same problem.

rebekahphoto

I also have a modern, edgy leather coat, it has a great avant garde shape and does nothing to define my (rather hidden) waist and it has a round neckline (not the best for my busty/shorter neck) But it is gorgeous and really cool. and i have never worn it. but i love it. I guess I need some YLF styling advice! lol

and I wear whatever shoes are comfortable, boots, mary janes, low heels. they might not always look most fashionable-no pointy toes or high heels, but I like sturdy shoes, and love my boots with everything.

Scarlet

I don't know, but that coat sounds awesome! Love Buffy, and Spike.

Hmm, not sure about rule bending, but my plaid Willow & Clay jacket certainly breaks from my standard style, being equestrian/preppy. I think the fit and flounce silhouette drew me in and I can see beyond the plaid lol.
Other than that, short shorts over 40 (if it is still a rule) is being not just bent, but broken in half by me this year at, gasp, 43 with my purple shorts. tee hee

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

I can't think of anything of mine off the top of my head, but I'm sure there must be something in my wardrobe that defies the rule. I see nothing wrong with a little rule breaking, it makes life fun!

Vildy

Not an item but a signature look for me is often to casually cuff pants and I'm five feet tall. But, like I say, a signature. I also sometimes leave jacket or coat sleeves too long on purpose, even though, again, I'm short and it could look like I borrowed someone else's coat. And I can do my own alterations so it's not a matter of that.

unfrumped

Well, I wear dress socks with oxford "brogues" when I wear them with trouser style pants.

But, I give myself Angie-points (hopefully) for also wearing the same shoes sockless (cheating, wearing nude knee-high hose) with my tapered "pseudo-skinny" pants and really liking that look--steppin' out, for me.

Also, I wear nude hose when everyone else at work in skirts in summer is bare-legged, because my feet are just not comfortable elsewise and I'm too cold indoors.

The only thing I can think of is wearing nude stockings when it is chilly, knowing that bare legs are the style. However wearing the stockings is flattering to my legs.

rachylou

I just bought a coat two sizes up. I am liking the idea of a slouchy coat. Of course, it may just read too big to other people and not slouchy. I don't know. But I enjoy wearing it.

Adelfa

My car's name is Buffy

I wear warm colors of brown footwear with my cool toned wardrobe. This may not sound like a rule break, but it really messes with my head that I like to do this.

jayne

I think the rule has been debunked (at least by Gok) but as a heavy bottom pear I like wearing pleated slacks and tight jeans. Both are regularly quoted as no nos for pears. But the right pleat and the right level of tight jeans, make me feel slimmer. I never never was able to wear the recommended straight leg pants..made me feel like an elephant!

Category