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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Holy Cross chapter.

“Fashion rules” are unofficial ways to help with constructing so-called perfect outfits. I grew up hearing a lot of these “rules” that are totally made up and worth breaking.

White Pants after Labor Day

Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, marks the time to stop wearing white pants for many. I believe that you can and should wear white pants after Labor Day. Yes, white can be “summery”; however, white is a basic that can be so versatile.

Navy, Black & Brown and Black Combos

Whether you believe black to be the sum of all colors or the absence of color, black goes with everything. Given how close navy and brown are to black on the color wheel, pairing them with black has been frowned upon in the past. I think that navy and black can be cute, and I even have a Lululemon top that combines them both. Additionally, brown and black can be so fitting for fall.

Mixing Metals

I used to be a strictly silver jewelry girl, but I recently made the shift to gold in the past year. For a while, I felt as though I could not wear old pieces of jewelry that I still like; however, I think it is time I move past this fear of mixing metals. Matching is fun, but not necessary all the time.

Sticking to One “Fun” Piece

Whether it is prints or colors, a fashion staple is to limit yourself to one “pop.” Why limit yourself? Adding multiple colors or prints can liven up an outfit.

“Seasonal Colors”

Often when we think of what we will wear in different seasons there are color associations that come to mind. Pastels are for spring, bright colors are for summer, and dark colors fall. You can wear any color at any time!

“Men’s” Clothing

There is no gender in clothing. If you see a cute outfit in the men’s section, what is stopping you from grabbing it? I especially like men’s sweatshirts and T-shirts. Oftentimes, they are cheaper too.

Denim-on-Denim

I love a denim-on-denim moment, especially when different shades are mixed.

You Shouldn’t Wear Sweats Out of the House

A sweatsuit set can be a cute way to style a comfy and casual outfit. Especially if you dress it up with jewelry or accessories, you can still look put together while wearing sweats.

Dressing for your Body Type

There should be no way to “dress for your body type.” Everyone should dress for themselves and in what they feel comfortable wearing.

You are your own boss!

Maybe you are going to stick to all of these rules and die on that hill; however, I hope you leave this article prepared to change something about the rules you follow with your daily style. Following fashion rules and trends can be exciting if it’s something you are excited about, but oftentimes, the rules constrict you. Fashion should be a free form of expression, and I hope everyone has the confidence to break all of these rules!

Ann O'Malley

Holy Cross '26

Ann is a current sophomore at Holy Cross from Milton, Massachusetts. She enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music, and writing!