A couple of weeks ago, someone asked me on a video set (for a secret project I’ll soon be invading your Instagram feed with) what I considered to be the ultimate fashion faux pas? Like THE thing that no one should ever do. Hmmm, let see.
Thank god, they had given me the question list ahead of time, so I had plenty of time to think about it. Is it to wear socks with your sandals? Or wearing brown from head to toe? Or daring cargo pants in the city (ya know, the ones you can unzip into capris and shorts)?
After 5 minutes of serious style reflexion, here is my answer: none of the above. Truth is, I’ve never been the rebellious type. If you tell me I’m not allowed to do something, chances are I won’t do it… except for fashion.
During high school, I’ve never gotten detention. Not once. Not even close to getting one. My only form of rebellion was the way I dressed. No, I wasn’t a punk teenager, nor gangsta, nor skater. I was just BOLD (yup, bold capital letters, underlined). The only problem though is that I was going to a private high school: the land of itchy polyester polos and pleated pants that make your pelvis look like a front butt.
From my first to last year, my mission was to customize my uniform to the limit of what was considered to be acceptable (based on my school standards). I sewed my pants into legit skinnies, I wore the biggest necklaces you’d ever seen, I glued ribbons to my shoes to transform them into ballerina shoes. Name it, I did it!
Ever since I was a little girl, fashion has been a way of expressing out loud what I felt inside. So when I hear about “style rules”, I cringe, because it’s basically as if someone told me what I was allowed to think. It’s creative censorship.
I know, whether it’s for Very Joëlle or the magazines that I write for, I share «style principles», but nothing is set in stone. They’re just suggestions coming from a girl who spends 95% of her time thinking about fashion, writing about fashion and chatting about fashion. If you don’t agree with one of my fashion advice, it’s sooo okay. In fact, I think it’s cool that you’re standing your grown.
This outfit represents exactly what I mean. I’m sure a bunch of girls, when they see my outfit, will say “Omg, a sequined skirt and sneakers?!? I’VE SEEN IT ALL!!!”. Well yeah, I like mixing chic and casual together, hence this prom-worthy skirt and my super duper casual (and comfy) ECCO Scinapse sneakers. And you know what else? When I play bowling, I throw the ball between my legs like an 8-year-old, so what? If I win, it still counts.
Actually, after thinking about it, here is the one and only rule everyone should follow: “You’re feeling good? Wear it.”
You love horizontal stripes on your curvy hips? You go, girl!
You have porcelain skin, but you absolutely adooore pastel green? Rock it!
You’re 6’2” tall, but you feel on top of the world when you wear high heels? Go for it!
Every segment of our lives is organized, our closet should be a playground of creative freedom and not just another rule to live by. So if you bump into me on the street and I’m wearing cargo pants, don’t panic, I haven’t gone crazy. I’m only expressing myself.
Photos by Melika Dez
This post is sponsored by ECCO. All opinions are mine.
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Nice post! I totally agree with what you’re saying but I’m not as brave as you with fashion. I feel that I can’t pull off a look that’s not “typical.” I love to see fashion that pushes boundaries or is more adventurous but I don’t have the guts to try it myself 😟