13 Fashion “Rules” That Dominated the Past

Fashion long ago was subject to strict guidelines, from “no white after Labor Day” to never wearing matching prints that dictated how individuals wore clothes over generations. These guidelines based on social mores, class distinctions, and old etiquette tended to suppress creativity at the expense of conformity. In tracing the beginning and end of these rules, we learn about how fashion transformed into a live expression of creativity and defiance.

1. No White After Labor Day

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This rule originated in late 19th-century America as a social divide between wealthy elites and working-class people. The white dress code indicated summer days off, and after Labor Day, people went back to city life and wore darker clothes. Although obsolete, it still surfaces in debates on fashion faux pas.

2. Shoes Should Be Same Color as the Handbag

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From the 1950s until the ’80s, women were expected to color-coordinate their shoes and purses perfectly. This was regarded as the epitome of class, refinement, and conscious styling. Fashion designers such as Coco Chanel began resisting this for individuality and contrast.

3. Men Can’t Wear Pink

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Until the 20th century, pink was actually associated with boys—seen as a stronger color than baby blue. However, mid-century marketing turned things around, coding pink as feminine. The rule held until the metrosexual wave of the early 2000s upset gendered color norms.

4. Never Mix Prints

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Print-on-print pairings used to be considered fashion suicide. For years, combining polka dots and stripes, or flowers and checks, was thought to be chaotic and uncouth. It wasn’t until the 2010s that luxury brands such as Gucci and Prada made eclectic print layering a runway celebration.

5. Denim Is Only for Casual Wear

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Until the end of the 20th century, denim was confined to working clothes and weekend wear. Denim was unacceptable at a restaurant or a dinner party. Things started to change in the ’90s when designers like Calvin Klein put denim on the high-fashion radar.

6. No Hats Indoors

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Etiquette guides were firm for much of the 20th century: hats came off indoors, especially for men. It was a matter of respect and social decorum, tied to military tradition and religious influence. As hat-wearing declined overall, this rule slowly faded from relevance.

7. Women Must Wear Skirts or Dresses in the Office

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Through the 1970s, women’s pantsuits were unprofessional or even scandalous. In 1933, a woman was famously removed from the Hotel Ritz in London for wearing trousers. Trailblazers such as Katharine Hepburn and Diane Keaton popularized the look.  

8. Brown and Black Don’t Mix

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Black and brown were believed to clash—an “either/or” choice. The rule was based on old thinking about uniformity and matchiness. Now, tonal dressing and contrast styling have rendered this combination acceptable and stylish.

9. Men Should Always Wear a Tie to Work

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For most of the 20th century, ties were a staple in the office man’s uniform, representing professionalism and status. Dress codes relaxed in the 1990s with the rise of the tech boom and “business casual.” Today, even CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg forego the tie altogether.

10. Sequins Are Only for Evening Wear

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Sequins and shine were long reserved for nightlife only—used in galas, parties, and performances. They were never acceptable by day—too flashy, too showy. That all shifted in the 2010s with the popularity of street style and maximalism.

11. Horizontal Stripes Make You Look Wider

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This ancient myth dissuaded many from wearing horizontal patterns because of their perceived widening effect. However, a 2011 study at the University of York proved otherwise, showing that horizontal stripes really do slim the body. Fashion and science don’t often intersect, but here, they did.  

12. Don’t Wear Red and Pink Together

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This color combination was previously deemed a clashing catastrophe—too showy, too mismatched. Designers during the 2000s, particularly Valentino and subsequently Carolina Herrera, started exquisitely mixing the two colors on the catwalk. Nowadays, it’s a powerful combination that bellows self-assurance.

13. Your Belt Should Match Your Shoes

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For men, particularly, this was an unyielding part of formal wear. It was all about pictorial harmony and classic codes of style. However, contemporary stylists tend to blend materials and hues, demonstrating that paired accessories aren’t the sole means to sleekness.

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