14 Fashion Rules That Sound Ridiculous Now
Here's a list of outdated fashion rules that once dictated style choices but now sound completely ridiculous in modern fashion.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Fashion history is filled with rules that once limited personal style but now feel outdated. From not wearing white after Labor Day to forbidding men from wearing pink, many old standards have been replaced with a more inclusive, expressive approach. These so-called “rules” remind us that fashion evolves, and what was once mocked can become today’s trend.
1. No White After Labor Day
Haryo Setyadi from Unsplash
For decades, people believed wearing white after Labor Day was a fashion faux pas. This “rule” started in the early 20th century among wealthy elites who wanted to mark the end of summer vacations. Today, white is worn year-round without a second thought.
2. Matching Shoes and Handbags
Mobina Ghazazani from Unsplash
There was a time when fashion etiquette dictated that the purse and shoes had to be the exact same color and style. This rule was popular in the mid-20th century, especially in women’s fashion. Now, mixing textures, prints, and colors is celebrated as stylish and bold.
3. No Mixing Gold and Silver Jewelry
Syed F Hashemi from Unsplash
Fashion once dictated that you had to stick to one type of metal, either gold or silver. Mixing was seen as clashing and unsophisticated. Now, layering different metals is trendy and seen as a creative form of self-expression.
4. Denim on Denim Is a Crime
Markus Spiske from Unsplash
For years, the idea of wearing a denim jacket with jeans was mocked as the “Canadian tuxedo.” It was considered tacky and outdated. Now, denim-on-denim outfits are celebrated on runways and worn by celebrities like Rihanna and Gigi Hadid.
5. Never Wear Black and Brown Together
Hermes Rivera from Unsplash
Black and brown were once thought to clash terribly and make an outfit look mismatched. Stylists and magazines repeatedly advised against pairing the two. Today, the combination is recognized as sophisticated, earthy, and modern.
6. No Socks with Sandals
Mockup Graphics from Unsplash
Socks with sandals were once mocked as the ultimate “dad fashion” blunder. People saw it as lazy and unpolished. Today, high-fashion brands and influencers have embraced the combo as quirky and stylish.
7. Sequins Only at Night
Tim Mossholder from Unsplash
Glitter, sequins, and metallics were once reserved strictly for evening events and parties. Wearing them in daylight was considered tacky. Today, fashion embraces sequins in casual daytime looks, proving sparkle has no time limit.
8. Plus-Size Women Shouldn’t Wear Stripes
Bekky Bekks from Unsplash
For decades, magazines claimed horizontal stripes made people look “bigger.” This harmful rule limited clothing choices for plus-size women. Now, stripes are celebrated on every body type, with fashion embracing inclusivity.
9. No Wearing Red with Redheads
Gabriel Silvério from Unsplash
There was an old belief that people with red hair couldn’t wear red clothing. It was said the colors would clash and overwhelm the look. Today, redheads confidently wear red and prove the shade can enhance their natural beauty.
10. Hats Must Match Every Outfit
Yang Deng from Unsplash
In the early 20th century, especially in the 1940s and 1950s, women were expected to coordinate hats with every outfit. Going out without the “right” hat was seen as improper. Today, hats are an optional accessory, not a social requirement.
11. Men Can’t Wear Pink
Pawel Czerwinski from Unsplash
For much of the 20th century, pink was considered exclusively feminine. Men who wore it risked being mocked or judged. Now, pink is embraced in menswear, from casual tees to designer suits.
12. Pregnant Women Should Hide Their Bumps
freestocks from Unsplash
Until the 1990s, maternity fashion was designed to conceal rather than celebrate pregnancy. Baggy dresses and oversized smocks were the norm. Today, body-hugging maternity wear and even crop tops proudly display baby bumps.
13. No White at Weddings Unless You’re the Bride
gbarkz from Unsplash
Traditionally, wedding guests were forbidden from wearing white to avoid “competing” with the bride. While this rule is still respected in some circles, many modern brides encourage guests to wear white. Fashion has relaxed this rule, turning it into a matter of personal preference.
14. Age Limits on Mini Skirts
Lensabl from Unsplash
It used to be believed that miniskirts were only for teenagers or women in their twenties. Older women were told to “dress their age” and avoid short hemlines. Now, style is ageless, and many women wear minis well into their fifties and beyond.