So here’s the thing about fashion. Everyone loves to give advice. Your mom, your favorite influencer, even that one aunty who still thinks matching handbag-shoe combos are the highest form of elegance. The result? A never-ending list of so-called “rules” that people take way too seriously. And honestly, some of these rules need to be thrown straight into the donation bin with those jeans you haven’t worn since 2010. Let’s talk about it.
Black and Navy Don’t Go Together
This one cracks me up. Somewhere in history, people decided that black and navy are enemies. Like Batman and Joker type of enemies. But if you scroll through Pinterest or even fashion weeks, half the models are walking in black suits with navy coats. The combo actually looks rich. It gives off that subtle European vibe like you’re drinking overpriced coffee in Paris. So, yeah, whoever said this probably never left the house past 2005.
Sequins Are Only for Night Parties
Nope. Whoever started this rumor clearly never saw someone rock a sequin blazer with casual jeans during the day. Sequins in daylight actually look bold and fun, not “too much.” In fact, TikTok is full of people styling glitter tops with sneakers, and it’s kind of a vibe. If Harry Styles can wear sequins at a morning photoshoot, you can definitely wear that sparkly top to brunch.
Tall People Shouldn’t Wear Heels
Honestly, this one’s just unfair. So because someone is already tall, they’re supposed to stay flat-footed forever? Nope. Heels are about confidence and style, not height math. I once saw this girl at a wedding who was at least 5’10, and she still wore 4-inch heels. She looked like she owned the whole room. Meanwhile, the short guys were lowkey panicking, but that’s their problem, not hers.
Horizontal Stripes Make You Look Fat
This myth has been repeated so much that people believe it like gospel. But multiple studies (yes, actual research) showed that horizontal stripes don’t actually make you look wider. If anything, they create a balanced silhouette. Coco Chanel herself loved stripes, and let’s be real, she wasn’t trying to look “fat.” Maybe the real problem isn’t the stripes, it’s society being obsessed with body sizes.
You Can’t Mix Prints
Okay, so mixing prints can go wrong—like wearing polka dots with zebra stripes without thinking it through. But fashion is supposed to be fun. Influencers on Instagram mix plaid skirts with floral tops and somehow it works. The trick is balance, not avoiding it. Think of prints like spices. If you dump five random ones, the curry tastes weird. But a smart combo? Chef’s kiss.
White Clothes Are Only for Summer
Raise your hand if you’ve heard “don’t wear white after Labor Day.” Yeah, that old-school myth somehow traveled even outside America. But who decided white can’t work in winter? White coats and chunky sweaters literally look like snow goddess vibes. Also, winter whites are a whole trend now. Fashion people on Twitter would roast you alive if you still believe this myth.
Denim on Denim Is a Disaster
Ah yes, the “Canadian tuxedo.” For years, everyone acted like pairing denim with denim was fashion suicide. But then, celebs like Rihanna and Kanye pulled it off, and suddenly it became cool again. Honestly, the secret is shade contrast. Light denim jacket with dark jeans? Fire. It’s 2025, no one’s judging. Well, except your uncle who still thinks bell-bottoms are trending.
Red Lipstick Isn’t for Everyone
This one’s personal for me. I used to believe I couldn’t pull off red lipstick because I don’t have “the right skin tone.” But then one day I just wore it out of spite, and people kept complimenting me. That’s when I realized red is universal—it just depends on the undertone. There’s a red for everyone. Google even says so. If Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and your college roommate can all pull it off in different shades, so can you.
Luxury Means Style
Okay, this is one of the most toxic myths. People think wearing Gucci or Louis Vuitton instantly makes them stylish. Sorry, but expensive logos don’t equal fashion sense. I’ve seen people wearing head-to-toe branded fits that still looked… bad. Like spending $500 on ugly sneakers doesn’t make them less ugly. Meanwhile, someone in thrifted clothes styled well can look ten times better. Style is personal, not a receipt total.
Fashion Is Only for the Young
This one honestly makes me sad. Somewhere, society decided that once you cross 40, you’re supposed to wear beige cardigans forever. But nope—style doesn’t have an age limit. Look at Iris Apfel. The woman was still serving bold outfits and giant glasses in her 90s. Fashion is about expressing yourself, not numbers on your birthday cake. If you want neon sneakers at 60, go for it. Life’s too short to wear boring clothes.
So why do these myths even stick around?
Probably because fashion marketing loves making rules—it keeps you buying the “right” thing. Plus, social media spreads opinions like wildfire. One bad take on X (Twitter, whatever we call it now) can suddenly become a “rule.” But fashion isn’t math. There’s no formula. It’s more like cooking—you experiment, sometimes it flops, sometimes it slaps.
