The trend to end trends

By Brian Maynor

 

One of the hottest trends sweeping the fashion world is the mantra of ‘breaking the fashion rules’ in order to find your own sense of self-worth, -expression and –style without mandates.

As an image consultant I’m very much in favor of people dressing for themselves and finding their voice and personal style that rings true, and not buying into a style or fad simply because it’s popular. But that doesn’t mean all rules are inherently bad. Here are some thoughts about striking a balance between breaking the rules and following them:

 

1.    Put rules in their place. We are bombarded with rules on what to wear and what not to wear every day, and especially this time of year when magazines are publishing tomes of the ‘must have’ looks for Fall that are widely embraced and repeated all season. However, as all great masters of their craft understand, you have to understand the rules before you know how to break them. Learning the rules give you the information and ability to experiment and find your personal interpretation of them.

2.    Personal expression be damned. We don’t live in a utopian society where full acceptance abounds, so until we do there will be areas when following your personal style may not have the intended results. For example, while your true self may be a Victorian-Goth, if you’re an accountant or teacher, you might have to adopt a professional alter ego if you want to keep your job. And that’s perfectly okay. Adopting a specific style to work within the boundaries and rules of your profession does not mean you are abandoning yourself. It’s actually very self-aware.

3.    Balance looking good with feeling good. There are two major reasons we choose to wear something; because it makes us feel good or because it makes us look good. While the two can be and in my opinion should go hand-in-hand, that is not always the case. There are some people who love the idea of ugly fashion because it makes them feel good to go against the grain or stand out as a rule-breaker and there is something to be said for that. Then there are other people that may choose to wear things they may not personally love simply because they look good in them. Deciding which reason to wear something is a choice only you can make.

 

I find it sad that we see these two very personal and obviously powerful aspects of fashion pitted against each other and there has to be a choice between personal expression and societal expectations, but unfortunately we are not ready to abandon image as a measuring stick quite yet, but we get closer every day.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty. Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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