5 Fashion Rules - Rewritten for You

We are all guilty of it. Pouring over magazines and articles that bombard us with the 'dos and don'ts' of fashion and then hanging on to those words as though they are gospel. Many of the women I see are so overwhelmed with, well frankly, wrong information that they feel there a very few options left for them. What we often lose sight of is the fact that everyone is different and when it comes to clothes it certainly isn't a case of 'one rule for all'.  It is important to remember that you are an individual with your own height, shape, size and taste!  So here are 5 common fashion rules that are worth questioning -

1. Black makes you look slimmer
To an extent this is true. We all have the need for black in our wardrobe, whether it be a suit, coat or cocktail dress. However, too many people reach for it as a default option and whilst it may be forgiving on the body, it can be ageing for the face.

2. Horizontal stripes make you look bigger
If you were to wear one horizontal stripe across the widest part of your body, it would emphasise the width. But recent studies have shown that many horizontal stripes confuse the eye and therefore break up the surface area. No wonder the nautical trend never ages!

3. You shouldn't wear pattern if you are petite
As a petite woman I have never adhered to this rule. I love experimenting with colour and pattern, the bolder the better! What is important about pattern is getting the scale of it right, for example, a petite lady will looked swamped in 'Minnie Mouse' style polka dots, but a smaller scale polka dot will look great!

4. No one should wear white trousers
I have read this a number of times in fashion magazines and books but if you carry your weight on top chances are you will have slim hips and legs. Make the most of your best feature and create a head turning outfit with some tailored white trousers and a fun top.

5. You can hide behind baggy clothes
Ok so this isn't something that is common advice but it is certainly a habit that many people fall in to. Baggy clothes will add extra bulk so if this sounds like you, seek somebody with an objective opinion who can introduce you to some new ideas - you could drop two dress sizes in a couple of hours!

So there you are. Five very common fashion rules which should be questioned more often. The most important thing is to remember that what works for your skinny best friend or that effortlessly chic colleague may not work for you - and vice versa!