Playgrounds & Lollipops - Rules & Myths

{Blouse: Zara; Shorts: Forever 21; Shoes: Sam Edelman; 

Necklace: Stella & Dot; Watch: Michael Kors; Bracelet: J. Crew; Nails: Lucky Lucky Lavendar by OPI}

I must have been about 8 when I experienced my first lesson in fashion rules and myths.  It was early summer here in Southern California, still a bit breezy and chilly but just warm enough to wear a pair of shorts comfortably.  I slipped on a pair of khaki shorts and paired it with my favorite (and only) Lacoste sweater.  My mom, the bank teller, was ever patient with finding the best sales and managed to score me a white loose weave knit sweater with beautiful primary colored stripes.  We could have never afforded it at full price, but I didn't care.  I LOVED it!  I was a preppy girl's dream.  I think I even sported a pair of knee high socks with the outfit.  I bounced out of the house, ready for my Silver Spoons audition, happy as can be.

My sister, 9 years my elder, abruptly stopped me and declared, "You can't wear a sweater with shorts!  It's summer time, you don't wear sweaters in summer."  But why I begged?  I'm not hot, why can't I wear it?  Thoughts raced through my head; if I really can't wear it until Fall, the primary colors will look all wrong amongst the burnt siennas and emerald greens of the season.  Even at 8 I had figured out there was a color theme to the seasons.  I was heartbroken.  Looking back this all seems very dramatic and silly, but at 8 everything is dramatic isn't it?

There are still countless fashion rules and myths that we hear on a daily basis and have been somehow emblazoned into our minds as law: You can only wear white after Memorial Day and not after Labor Day.  White shoes make your feet look big.  Short girls can't wear maxis.  Black and brown don't mix.  Pleated pants hide a pooch.  And as with this outfit, horizontal stripes make you look, you know, the "F" word.  Well I say, "Screw the rules!"

Wear what you love, what makes you feel good, not what some myth or rule or trend tells you to wear.  It's your body, and it's your money.  When I saw these shorts it was love at first sight.  I loved the bold stripe, the neutral color palette and the sophisticated waistline.  It also didn't hurt that they were $14.  Yes, the age-old fashion rule about horizontal stripes immediately popped into my head, but sometimes you gotta just ignore those voices in your head and go with your gut.    

So tell me, do you abide by the rules or are you a rule breaker?  Linking up to Lindsey's WIWW

*I played around with the Pioneer Woman's Action Sets on these photos, using Lovely and Ethereal on all of them.  They were really easy and user friendly to use and you can download them here.