Street style has long been a breeding ground for boundary-pushing fashion, where individuality and flair reign over traditional rules.
It’s about owning your vibe, defying conventional wisdom, and saying something bold without speaking. If you’ve ever questioned the rulebook, let this be your cue to break a few of fashion’s most rigid dictates. Here’s a look at some street style “rules” that were made to be broken—and why embracing the unconventional is often where the real magic happens.
1. Forget Matching Colors Perfectly
For years, we were told that certain colours simply don’t go together—blue and black, pink and red, or green and yellow were frowned upon combinations. But street style has shown us that these supposed “clashes” can be electric. Think bold red with hot pink or a deep blue with black leather. The trick? Confidence and a sense of balance.
2. Yes, You Can Wear Socks with Sandals
If there was ever a faux pas more controversial, it’s socks with sandals. Once deemed the epitome of uncool, this unlikely pairing is now an everyday feature on city streets and runways alike. The trick is to treat your socks as an accessory in their own right. Patterned or vibrant socks with a sleek sandal can elevate a look from casual to intentional in seconds.
3. Mix High with Low-End Pieces
Fashion purists might have once scoffed at pairing a designer jacket with thrifted jeans, but street style embraces the art of the high-low mix. This rule-breaking approach is as much about attitude as it is about aesthetics. Mixing high-end with low-end adds depth to an outfit and tells a story. It makes fashion more accessible and more personal.
4. Double Down on Denim
The rule of thumb used to be “one piece of denim at a time.” But street style’s biggest stars have flipped the script, showing us that double denim—or even triple denim—is a look worth exploring. The trick is to experiment with shades and textures to avoid looking like you’re in a denim jumpsuit (unless that’s the look you’re going for, of course).
5. Go Ahead, Mix Your Prints
Print-mixing can feel risky, but when done right, it’s a total game-changer. Forget the rules that say stripes don’t belong with florals or polka dots should steer clear of plaid. Mixing prints works best when you allow one print to dominate or keep them within a similar colour palette.
6. Don’t Limit Yourself to “Seasonal” Fabrics
Street style encourages us to bend the rules of “seasonal” fabrics. Leather shorts with an oversized sweater, a faux fur coat over a linen dress, or chunky knit socks with strappy sandals are all unexpected, modern ways to push past seasonal boundaries. This isn’t just about practicality; it’s about reinventing pieces in your wardrobe to suit you, not the weather.
7. Add Evening Wear to Daytime Looks
Sequins and silk slip dresses have long been reserved for nights out, but street style has redefined these once strictly evening pieces as daytime staples. A sparkly top with distressed jeans or a slip dress layered over a turtleneck and boots makes these luxe items feel cool and casual.
8. Forget the Rule of “Flattering” Fits
For years, we’ve been told to dress for our “body types,” focusing on outfits that supposedly flatter our shapes. Street style, however, throws these antiquated ideas out the window. Oversized silhouettes, baggy trousers, or a boxy blazer—these styles don’t traditionally “flatter” in the conventional sense, but they make a powerful statement. If you love it, wear it, and let the fit reflect your attitude.
9. Embrace “Ugly” Shoes
Chunky sneakers, clunky loafers, and rubber clogs have all gone from eyesores to must-haves. The appeal of “ugly” shoes lies in their rebellion against conventional beauty standards in fashion. They’re unapologetically bold, and that’s precisely what makes them stylish.
10. Accessorise Loudly
Sometimes, we’re told “less is more,” especially when it comes to accessories. But street style has proven that “more is more” can be the way forward. Layer your necklaces, stack those rings, and pile on bracelets. Statement belts, oversized sunglasses, and large earrings can turn an outfit into an experience.
