RULES OF STYLE
Invention, Development, and Application of the herein rules are
maintained by Ellie Krasne and Jeff Sisson and Ben May and Erin
Lebens. Suggestions, questions, and arguments should be sent
here.
- Introduction
- Rules applying to clothing
- Rules applying to general hygiene
- Rules applying to specific, non-clothing
styling
- Miscellaneous Rules
- Terms of Use/Application
- Credit
I.Introduction
"Look at his pants," she said snobbishly, "They're tight, but
too short." I resisted the urge to correct this innocent bystander,
instead giving her an evil furtive glance. I was wearing a 2-year-old
pair of boot cut, tight, Gap jeans; I was also wearing sandals and a
hand-me-down 1988 Ocean Pacific shirt. She had failed to notice the
fact that no hair was showing, therefore these pants in fact were
decent. What am I getting at? Style is everywhere, and it's not what
the stores tell you to wear, nor is it what someone tells you to
wear. This guide is not a
checklist-post-it-on-your-wall-obsess-about-it-solves-everything sort
of deal, it is what it says, a guide. It is given as is, but is
subject to change. One could argue that the only style rule is that
there aren't really any style rules, and I would agree. This just
gives ideas, and for any person, whether you are superficial and
trendy (yes unfortunately you are included as well), or you feel you
have your own unique sense of style. This paragraph is starting to
blur my eyes because it's getting too long, moving on.
II.Rules applying to clothing
- When changing into an "outfit", use the pyramid rule. Looser
clothing should go towards the bottom, and tighter towards the
top. Like a pyramid, if you don't do this, you run the risk of
looking like, well we won't go into that.
- Boxers not briefs?
- Belts pull an outfit together
- Depending on the situation, wear an undershirt. Use common
sense, don't wear an undershirt under an undershirt, etc.
- Wearing socks with sandals is ok with colorful socks.
- When wearing clog-like shoes (birkenstocks) with white socks,
try to cover the socks up?
- Don't iron jeans.
- Cut-off jean shorts on men should be made illegal, the 28th
amendment, or something of the sort.
- No tank tops?
- Socks: Either normal size, or higher than the calf (more so
they don't fall then because of style).
- Nascar Materials: No, unless either it is the year 2012, or
they have reached vintage status.
- No Black high-top nike's?
- No Hiking boots and shorts, unless hiking is in process (see
note 1a)
- No neon biking shorts unless biking, or a practical joke (see
notes 1a, 1b)
- Sports coat and jeans are somewhat out of place unless you are
Jerry Seinfeld or a comedian( see note 1c)
- Never undress, if in doubt, be over dressed
- It takes a certain kind of man to wear leather anything?
- Don't unbutton double breasted suits
- Unless you are on your way to/from a sports event, don't wear
anything with your name and number on the back.
- Always be prepared (i.e. knowing how to tie a tie)
- Belt and shoes should match in color if not in material
- Unless it's truly vintage, the world has enough "Local pinball
tournament #34" shirts.
- There is a difference between vintage and old
- Never wear a watch with a calculator?
- When attempting to stand out, matching all the way works as
well or better than not matching at all
- Never wear navy blue with black.
- Shades of white can be worn together.
- Sometimes the color you think your clothing are, aren't what
other people perceive.
- Bras should fit so not to create fat rolls on a woman's
back.
- Women with large calfs shouldn't wear capris.
- Toenails should be neatly polished if one plans to wear
sandals.
- When in doubt, get a size bigger not a size smaller.
- Either shave your armpits or don't, stubble is ugly.
- Glitter unless strategically placed in your clevage for your
boyfriend to find is tacky.
- For glitter, clevage, leg, back, pick one but not all
three.
- A&F-like visors are tackily preppy.
- Orange and white lipstick makes ones teeth looks orange or
yellow.
- The more you reserve makeup, the better it looks.
- Glitter, sparkles, and anything from claires runs the risk of
looking over the top.
- Pasty legs under a miniskirt are gross unless you are a
redhead.
- Not to be offensive, but if you know that you are a bit
chubby, don't wear tight/short shirts. (sadly, I figured it would
be appropriate to mention this applies to guys too)
- Hairspray=No-no. I'm sorry, I went natural a long time ago,
and I've never gone back.