It’s Time To Break Some Style Rules

Not just what you wear, but how you wear your clothes can alter how your body looks to others. And you may be surprised, but breaking style rules can actually make your body look in a way you may find more appealing. My friends, it's time to break some style rules. Let me show you some examples.

I wrote this piece a few years ago using photos of plus models from a retailer that is sadly no longer in business. However, I think these photos provide such a clear example of how style rules may actually be hurting your style, so I wanted to update this piece but keep the photos.

I think we can all agree that most models on websites aren't realistic examples of what we look like, especially if you are plus-sized. There are so many stories of non-plus models being padded to fit into plus clothing, plus clothing being pinned to fit smaller models, and realizing that a plus model may be a 14W, but she is also 6'2″ tall.

This retailer, may it rest in peace, didn't photoshop its models, and used plus size models to showcase its plus size fashion. And not only that, they used the same handful of models over and over again, styling a range of the retailer's apparel.

Having the same models over and over in a range of different silhouettes, cuts, and styling methods, it shows not only how clothing can alter one's perception of the body but also alter one's perception of the person's confidence, sense of style, and even age.

It's Time to Break Some Style Rules

The silhouette and styling in the photos below demonstrate that many of the style rules we have been taught to follow, such as those for bodies that resemble a mannequin (i.e., slim, tall, leggy, with a subtle hourglass shape), may not be effective. And how even if the choice of silhouette or styling may make a body look more “ideal,” it may not be the most stylish, modern, or chic option.

I hope that this activity helps you realize that those dated style rules may not be doing you any favors. And that having more fun with fashion may not whittle your waist or elongate your legs, but it may make you look more fun, modern, youthful, and be a heck of a lot more comfortable.

Breaking the Style Rule: Untucked Tops Are More Flattering on Larger Bodies

The first model I am using to showcase how breaking style rules can be fashionable is Anastasia Furrow, who is 5'4″ and wears a size 14. Shorter than many models, Furrow may have a body several of us women can more easily relate to.

An age-old style rule has been that if you have a pronounced tummy, you should wear your tops untucked to camouflage it better. This style rule is one I have discussed many times (for example, this article on styling a stomach).

Above, we see Anastasia in the same skirt, with the same hair and makeup, and very similar shoes; the only difference is the top. One tucked in, one left out. Both looks are elegant, but by tucking in her top on the right, the effect feels more modern, and shows she does have some shape under her clothes.

Breaking the Style Rule: Wear Darker Colors to Look Slimmer

Another popular style rule is that to look slimmer, one should wear black and darker colors. Here is Anastasia wearing a column of one color, three looks in light shades, three looks in black. The cuts and silhouettes aren't exact, and I am not asking you to choose which makes her look smaller; that's not the point. It's to see how one can look in a light color instead of a dark one.

It may better show the curve of her stomach or rear, it may have her stand out a bit more in a crowd, but it feels fresh and modern and not as scary as our imagination may lead us to believe.

Breaking the Style Rule: Larger Bodies Look Better in Looser Silhouettes

Along with the idea of not tucking in to hide a belly, hips, or a rear we've been told by fashion magazines and so-called style experts that larger bodies should wear looser silhouettes to camouflage curves.

On top, Anastasia wears three looks that are quite popular for women, especially those who have larger bodies. And below, Anastasia wears three looks appropriate for similar situations, but are more fitted of silhouettes. Neither row is bad or unstylish; this is just to show how breaking some rules may not be so bad.

Breaking the Style Rule: Never Break up the Body Line

I mentioned it above, but here is an example of the style rule of wearing a column of color or print to not break up the body line. Dated style rules told us that by breaking up the body line we would make ourselves appear shorter, draw attention to our midsection, look heavier. And while breaking up the body line may achieve those things, I think these examples above show it's not such a drastic change that you can't have a little fun with your wardrobe and break this rule from time to time.

Breaking the Style Rule: Never Have a Visible Belly Line

Next up is Justine LeGault, who is 5'9 1/2″ and a size 14. I chose Justine because she is a decade older than Anastasia, and has a different yet still relatable body shape.

I think one of the hardest style rules for many of us to break is showing the belly, and when I saw Justine in that rust-colored off the shoulder dress with her belly showing right after seeing her in that sheer overlay dress I HAD to make this collage. Because I think this is really relatable to so many of us, and so many of us are shopping dresses right now for vacations, weddings, and other special occasions.

Both dresses are beautiful, both appropriate for the same occasion, but they achieve dramatically different effects in regard to style, modernity, and allure.

The second is the same white pants/jeans but one with a tucked-in top and one untucked. Again, this example really hit me hard as someone who often wears tops like that, unbuttoning the last button to make it seem nonchalant, not like I'm strategically hiding my belly but it's not really hidden at all. And the final look is athleisure, and a good example of covering doesn't necessarily whittle that waist.

Breaking the Style Rule: Wear Sleeves to Cover Larger and Older Arms

Whether it's because of age or size, women are often told to cover their arms because they are not appealing. As someone who lives in a humid part of the country that gets over 100 degrees for much of the summer, I have said eff that noise, but this style rule is creeping up on me as I creep up in age and are not as slim or firm as I used to be.

And yes, Justine has slim, toned arms, but I think this example shows how little one's arms are truly the focus. How often we over-analyze what we deem our faults while others hardly notice them.

Breaking the Style Rule: Wear a Column of Color to Elongate The Body

Oh, that column of color, it really is a great way, especially on camera, to make the body seem to disappear, especially when under a jacket or long cardigan. We've been told so long that having your top and bottom half be the same or close to the same color is key to look stylish and slimmer.

However, sometimes that can be oh so limiting. Looking at these photos of Justine, you see that there is much more to it than just a column of color that affects how your body looks. Sometimes, breaking up color can be the most stylish and fun thing to wear.

Breaking the Style Rule: Tucking in Tops Emphasizes a Belly

This collection of looks from 11 Honoré worn by Justine are a great example of the dated style rule of not tucking in tops if you are in a larger body. On the top, very classic looks for women in spring and summer – floaty interesting tops over slim white pants or jeans. The second row are looks a little more unexpected and surprisingly more, dare I say, flattering?!?!

Flattering usually means slimmer, taller, leaner, more of an hourglass, more fitting of society's ideal of a woman's body. But here I find the bottom row more flattering because the looks just feel more fun, more festive, more modern, more enjoyable to wear. It almost makes it look like the top row is a “before” when she didn't have confidence or didn't have a stylist or didn't have that nudge to let her truly feel comfortable in her clothes.

Breaking the Style Rule: Hide Your Larger Bottom Half with Untucked Longer Tops

And finally, Leslie Sidora, who is 5'7″ and also a size 14. I chose Leslie because the majority of her curves are below her waist. I think many women can relate to finding that one size fits the top half, but a completely different size for the bottom half.

If you think leaving your tops untucked help minimize your bottom half, let the collage above of Leslie Sidora be your wakeup call. Wear tops untucked because you like how they look, or because it's comfortable, but don't think it's minimizing anything.

And, as you see from the two all-black looks on the far right, tucking in and playing with proportions can actually make you and your ensemble look more youthful and modern.

Breaking the Style Rule: Wear Black to Look Slim

Again, an example of the dated style rule that one in a bigger body should wear black and dark colors to help recede into the background and look slimmer. While all six looks Leslie is wearing are fabulous, I don't think she looks as though she is 10 pounds lighter on the top row than on the bottom.

Breaking the Style Rule: Plus Size Bodies Should Wear a Column of Color to Elongate and Whittle the Body

Another example of that famous column of color. Yes, it's chic, but just like the darker colors, it doesn't make such a dramatic difference in her figure that she looks as though she lost weight, or is shaped differently. I am not saying this style rule is wrong, but it is dated to sacrifice wearing what may be fun or interesting because you're worried you may appear larger.

Breaking the Style Rule: Have Your Shoes Match Your Legs or Pants to Not Break the Body Line and Elongate the Figure

As someone with short, solid legs and even more solid of ankles, I know the power of a nude-to-you heeled delicate sandal or pointed-toe pump. But I also know the power of wearing a pair of shoes that don't have me in pain at the end of the day and let me run to catch the train.

While a shoe that is delicate, elongating, and creating a long line of color can look so chic, don't sacrifice your comfort or safety for style. Luckily, fashion has come a long way where you can rock sneakers, comfort sandals, combat boots, and more and look utterly cool.

The style rules featured above make the most sense if you are taking a photo or being on video. But when you are in real life, breathing and moving and laughing… your body is going to the look the same size whether you're in two layers of Spanx and a black stretch crepe wrap dress with nude-to-you heels or in a pair of black satin joggers with a hot pink sequined t-shirt and white sneakers.

Yeah, But…

My husband jokes that I always have a “yeah, but” to anything he says. I can always find a counterargument, and I know that many of you have a few “yeah, buts” you'd like to say right now. Well, these women are proportional, they're younger, they're smaller, they're firmer, they're this, they're that. And to all of those, I say you're right. And it's an example of how we still need more representation of the range of bodies we all live in.

But this exercise isn't to compare yourself to these models (they are models, for goodness sake). It is to see a body that isn't rail-thin wearing a range of cuts and styles and silhouettes and to see how some of the style rules that have been ingrained in us are a bunch of horseshit and incredibly dated and dating.

Since 9/11, fashion has been changing quickly. We realized that our leg-lengthening heels and pencil skirts were literally risking our safety. And the generations behind us saw all our self-hatred and anguish over our bodies, the diets that were sacrificing our health for a number on a scale, how our need to fit society's ideal was holding us down and decided to go about life differently.

Fashion may still cater to the young and slim, but you don't have to follow suit if you don't want to. Not anymore. Essentially, any cut, wash, and style of denim is in style. Comfortable shoes have become chic. And bodies are allowed to be bodies, curves and bumps and all. Focusing on the dated style rules only leaves you clinging to the past… and that past wasn't all that kind.

This post was originally published in 2022, and updated for 2025 because this message needs to be continually repeated. Wear what makes you feel good. If style rules make you feel good, then rock them; you are fabulous. But if you feel that your wardrobe is a bit like a gilded cage, it's time to break through and give yourself some fashion freedom. You may be surprised by how good you feel and look!