Fashion trends may always change, but there are rules that always remain the same throughout.
Whether you know the dos and don’ts or are still learning how to put together the perfect outfit, it never hurts to go with what always works.
We’ve put together some of the most important rules to follow.
Here are 25 fashion rules to live by if you are a man and 25 if you are a woman:
#1 For him – Always match leather
If you are wearing more than one leather item, such as a belt and shoes, make sure that they are roughly the same color. It doesn’t have to be exact, but it should be close.And no, tan and brown leather are not quite close enough to be considered the same.
#1 For her – Stick with what works for you
When you find what looks really good on you, stick with it and work everything else around it. Some very stylish people focus their entire wardrobe around just one or two looks that are uniquely them. Consider it your trademark.
#2 For him – Have the proper tie length
The tip of a tie should end where it just barely meets your belt. It is worth the extra time and a few tries to get it right. Otherwise, the entire look will be thrown off. Remember, it’s the centerpiece of the entire outfit.
#2 For her – Don’t be afraid to try men’s clothing
There are some gems hidden in the men’s rack. This is especially true if you don’t have a classically female body in every single aspect.Don’t be afraid to experiment just because of the section of the store some clothing items are hiding in.
#3 For him – Don’t over accessorize
Harmonize what accessories you will be wearing and try to keep them to a minimum. One accessory draws attention nicely, but too many can look overdone and seem chaotic.
#3 For her – Get the right stretch
Know how much stretch you need and look for the right materials to find it.Ninety-five percent cotton to five percent lycra is the right combination for form-fitting jeans. Anything with less than 2 percent lycra will not hold its shape.
#4 For him – Don’t match your pocket square to your tie
A pocket square should be a complementary color to your tie, but it should not match it exactly. Avoid having the same pattern on both.It will end up overwhelming the look if both are the same. The only exception to this rule is formal attire with a tie of a single color.
#4 For her – Dress for your shape
While some of the latest trends are tempting, not all will work on every body type. In fact, some don’t seem to fit on anyone. Make sure that you are wearing something you feel comfortable in. The confidence that shines through will look better than any temporary style.
#5 For him – Unbutton your bottom button
Outside of a military setting, a secured bottom button on a jacket just looks wrong. It has, does, and always will. It creates the impression of someone who is tense and uncomfortable in their surroundings.
#5 For her – Don’t let amazing outfits go unworn
Don’t save your outfits for a special occasion if that day is ever going to come. Find ways to incorporate your favorite pieces into outfits for less glamorous days. The day may be dreary, but you won’t be.
#6 For him – Do not mix navy blue and black
Do not mix navy and black together. They offer too little contrast and just blend together. The exception to this rule is when wearing a navy suit. Black shoes will go well with it more than any other options.
#6 For her – Transform a look with accessories
If you want o take advantage of a trend without changing out your whole wardrobe, invest in accessories. Add eye-catching items to simple outfits and let them take front and center stage to really bring the whole look to life.
#7 For him – Never have more than two patterns in an outfit
Even better, keep it to one pattern if you can to avoid sensory overload. The rest should be solid colors. More than two patterns will create the type of eyesore that people notice because they feel like they can’t avoid it no matter which direction they look in.
#7 For her – When all else fails, go with the little black dress
When nothing seems to be the right look, look no further than your little black dress. Add the right shoes and accessories for the occasion, and you will be ready to go and looking fabulous.
#8 For him – Focus on the fit
What makes a suit perfect is the fit. Go with a classic suit and make sure the shoulders fit well. If it doesn’t make you look amazing, get it tailored to fit your form exactly. Altering the chest and waist is a fairly easy job.
#8 For her – Buy clothes that fit when you try them on
It can be tempting to buy something to fit into later on, but there is no guarantee that it will fit right even if you do reach your desired size. Buy clothing that looks good on you today and that you can squeeze into while still being able to get a few gasps of air.
#9 For him – Get a good watch
Get a watch that will be functional as well as gratifying to wear. Watches are more than something that tells the time; they say a lot about our personality, so choose one that says what you want it to say about you. Also, make sure the size, fit, and depth are the right when it is on your wrist.
#9 For her – Take care of your most treasured items
Follow dry cleaning instructions, get that expensive pair of heels resoled, and make sure that everything you cherish is stored away safely where it won’t get damp or dusty or risk being damaged by other items pressing against it.
#10 For him – Don’t be afraid of a little color
Adding a touch of color to an outfit, even if it is formal wear, can really make it pop. Just remember to keep it to a touch in most cases. You probably won’t need more than one item or garment with the color for it to do its job.
#10 For her – Keep a mix of basic as well as trendy items
Make sure that your wardrobe if at least half made up of classic basic items that you can dress up or wear on their own. The other half can be trendy, feminine, wild, creative, or whatever flavor you love to wear.
#11 For him – Avoid pre-distressed jeans
Wear your jeans until they are distressed because you made them that way. They will fit you better and last longer as well. Less-damaged jeans can also be worn in more situations than their pre-worn counterparts.
#11 For her – Consider yourself as well as your audience
While personal style is important, what we wear isn’t just for us. Consider the audience and situations that you will be wearing an outfit to and adjust it to fit while still maintaining some of your unique flair and style.
#12 For him – Take care of your appearance
It may seem obvious, but even the nicest suit in the world isn’t going to give the right impression if it is crumpled and being worn by someone with dirty hair and untrimmed fingernails. Consider the entire impression that you will be making and keep everything tidy.
#12 For her – Create the perfect balance
If you are wearing a simple blouse, then make sure to liven it up with a print skirt or something with vibrant color. Conversely, if your skirt or pants are plain, liven up the outfit by adding a more animated top.
#13 For him – Keep what you wear under your clothes simple
Overdone branding or novelty prints are probably best to be avoided in this area. Keep it simple with an item such as well-made cotton boxer shorts.
#13 For her – Show skin tactically
There is a certain amount of subtlety required when creating the perfect sexy look. You may want to show something to draw attention, but there’s a point where it is easy to go overboard. If you’re showing cleavage, skip the legs. If you’re showing legs, skip the cleavage. It’s all about leaving some mystery.
#14 For him – Invest in good shoes
Get a good pair of classic shoes, such as brogues with a round toe, that will stand the test of time. Resoleable shoes are best if you really want to get your miles out of them.
#14 For her – Hem your pants to go with the matching shoes
Decide if you are going to wear flats or heels with a pair of pants and then buy or hem them accordingly. There is no going back from the decision. One of the worst fashion mistakes that women make is wearing a pair of pants that aren’t hemmed properly for the shoes they’re being worn with.
#15 For him – Wear a tie that’s darker than your shirt
Darker colors create emphasis, and you want the tie to keep that emphasis and be the center of your outfit where it rightfully belongs. Wearing a darker shirt will flatten the entire look and lose that extra appeal.
#15 For her – Get correctly fitted bras
A badly fitting bra can do some really unfortunate things to how a shirt hangs. Avoid extra lumps and bumps where you don’t want them to be by getting a bra that fits you exactly. The rest of your look will fit over it effortlessly.
#16 For him – Keep the setting in mind
Make sure to consider where you will be going and what you will be doing before choosing what to wear. Even the most perfectly styled outfit will seem out of place in the wrong setting. If you’re unsure, it’s better to overdress rather than underdress for an occasion.
#16 For her – Don’t forget a scarf
Keep a scarf tucked away in your bag at all times. You never know when it will be useful for a quick wardrobe boost and transforming a simple outfit into something with flare.
#17 For him – Make sure your glasses compliment your face
If you wear glasses, spend the extra time necessary to pick the right pair. Things to consider include how well they fit, the quality, and how they look with the lines and shape of your face – including your hair.
#17 For her – Read the instructions on the label
Before you even buy an outfit, read the care instructions. If an item is “dry clean only” and you have never brought something to the dry cleaners in your life, skipping that purchase and saving the money for something that will last will be a better choice.
#18 For him – Buy a good dinner suit
Avoid having to rent a dinner suit. Even if you will rarely have the need to wear one, it is still a good investment for those rare occasions and will save you the embarrassment of wearing a last-minute rental that ends up being an ill-fitting suit.
#18 For her – Know what you have
Before you go shopping, make a list of what you already have. That way, when you go shopping, you will know what clothes you already have in your closet and what you need to add to make them complete.
#19 For him – Go with classic shirts
When it comes to shirts, stick to the classics when you can. Tried and true is recommended when you’re not sure about the bolder options available.
#19 For her – Go down a size in jeans
If you seem to be stuck between sizes when it comes to jeans, go with the smaller number. It will help to prevent unnecessary bunching, wrinkles, and baggy spots.
#20 For him – Skip the printed t-shirts
While printed t-shirts may be fun now and then, they probably shouldn’t be a regular part of your wardrobe. Go with something basic that will look good on its own as well as under something.
#20 For her – Check every angle
When you think you have found the perfect outfit, check to see what it looks like when it is on. Don’t just check the front view. See what it looks like from the side and behind as well.
#21 For him – Treat business shirts with respect
Business shirts demand a certain amount of respect when worn properly and they should be given that same amount of respect when it comes to wearing them. Keep them tucked under your belt and buttoned.
#21 For her – Check the lining
To see if a garment is worth purchasing, check the stitching and the lining. A sturdy and well-put-together lining is a sign that care went into the item and that it will probably last as long as you would like it to.
#22 For him – Throw away things you never wear
Not counting the previously mentioned formal attire, find a new home for any clothing that has sat untouched for a year. Other than a few absolute favorites, there is no need to keep around unused clothing to do nothing but get older and clutter up the closet.
#22 For her – Stay loyal to well-fitting brands
If you have found a dress that fits absolutely perfectly, consider going back to that brand again in the future. While sizes aren’t entirely standardized across various brands, they usually are within a brand. It may make the shopping process a whole lot easier.
#23 For him – Consider quality over quantity
When you are deciding if spending twice the money on a shirt is worth it, consider the quality. If it is going to look better and last more than twice as long as the cheaper option, you already have your answer.
#23 For her – If you’re unsure, go with nude heels
Nude heels that come close to matching your complexion are a safe choice to make when you can’t find the perfect pair of matching pumps to go with an outfit.
#24 For him – Break the occasional rule
Despite everything you just read, sometimes fashion rules are made to be broken. Just make sure you are truly happy with the look or have gotten a second opinion before stepping out that door and into the world.
#24 For her – Spend on quality
A quality bag or the perfect pair of shoes can breathe life and style to a wardrobe. Treat yourself to the occasional pricey item if it will compliment what you already have.
#25 For him – Be confident
Regardless of what you are wearing, own it. Confidence is the single most important accessory you can wear. You are the person in the outfit, and thus the biggest piece in the presentation.
#25 For her – Be secure in your choices
Be confident. If you aren’t certain about a purchase, put off making it for a few days until you are. The same goes for an accessory or item of clothing that you aren’t quite sure of on the day you are planning to wear it. Put it away and wait until a day when it will be what helps you feel your best.
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