Do style rules actually work, or do they make getting dressed harder? - Sustain This!

Summary

Sustain This! Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Do Style Rules Actually Work, or Do They Make Getting Dressed Harder?
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Hosts: Alyssa Beltempo, Christina Mychas, & Signe Hansen

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Sustain This!, hosts Alyssa Beltempo, Christina Mychas, and Signe Hansen delve into the intriguing question submitted by listener Sigrid: "Do style rules actually work, or do they make getting dressed harder?" The trio explores the relevance and applicability of traditional style rules in today's diverse and dynamic fashion landscape, examining whether these guidelines are timeless principles or merely contemporary trends.

Understanding Style Rules: Timeless Principles vs. Contemporary Trends

Alyssa Beltempo initiates the discussion by presenting Sigrid's query, which questions the longevity and effectiveness of established style rules such as the three-color rule, rule of thirds, and balancing proportions.

Christina Mychas responds by emphasizing that while trends are fleeting, contemporary styling has enduring elements. She states, “I love style rules. I don't necessarily like the word rules... I find them to be very helpful” (01:49).

Signe Hansen concurs, suggesting that labeling them as "tools" rather than "rules" offers more flexibility. She explains, “Style is a feeling... You could use them as principles or tools, but it's not going to apply to everybody all the time” (03:04).

Historical Context and Evolution of Style Rules

The hosts explore whether historical fashion adheres to these rules:

Christina reflects on past eras such as the 40s, 50s, and 60s, noting the emphasis on tailored, polished looks with minimal oversized elements. She contrasts this with modern styles that often embrace contrast and unconventional pairings, like chunky sneakers with classic dresses (05:15).
Alyssa adds that many traditional "rules" may stem from general design principles rather than specific fashion mandates. For example, the rule of thirds is a concept from art and photography applied to outfit structuring (07:37).

Generational Perspectives on Style Rules

The conversation shifts to how different generations perceive and apply style rules:

Christina observes a "style war" between Millennials and Gen Z, highlighting how younger generations challenge established norms, such as pairing high-up socks with athletic shoes—a combination Millennials might deem unflattering (10:04).
Christina also discusses the adaptability of rules, explaining that different styling tools work better for different personalities and preferences. She mentions the big, slim, skin principle as a versatile tool for balancing proportions (16:02).

Practical Styling Tools and Personal Applications

The hosts share personal approaches to using style rules as flexible tools:

Alyssa emphasizes adjusting proportions first when assembling an outfit, ensuring that elements feel harmonious (12:25).
Christina elaborates on the big, slim, skin principle, using oversized blazers or jeans balanced with slimmer tops or shoes to create visual balance without strictly adhering to rigid rules (14:05).
Christina also highlights the importance of feeling comfortable and confident, noting that strict adherence to rules can sometimes induce anxiety: “When I really stick to style rules, it makes me feel anxious when I'm getting dressed” (16:13).

The Role of Cultural and Societal Influences

Alyssa ponders whether the abundance of fashion choices today compared to the past contributes to the need for style rules. She suggests that in earlier decades, dressing was more prescribed due to limited options and societal norms (18:47).

Christina adds that modern fashion's flexibility can feel chaotic without some guiding principles, making style tools beneficial for navigating the myriad of choices (18:48).

Historical Style Rules and Their Origins

The discussion touches on specific outdated style rules, such as "not wearing white after Labor Day":

Alyssa and Christina explore the origins of this rule, revealing its roots in early 20th-century class distinctions rather than practicality (26:37).
They conclude that many such rules were socially constructed and no longer hold relevance in today's inclusive and diverse fashion environment (27:36).

Future of Style Rules and Fashion Evolution

Looking ahead, the hosts speculate on the future trajectory of fashion rules:

Christina envisions a continuous blending and blurring of traditional lines, especially with the rise of athleisure and remote work influencing everyday attire (25:24).
Alyssa points out the cyclical nature of fashion, noting how past trends like 80s-style sneakers with dresses are reimagined in contemporary looks, further questioning the rigidity of style rules (31:03).

Conclusion: Embracing Flexibility and Personal Expression

In wrapping up, the hosts agree that while certain design principles may be timeless, many style rules are flexible tools rather than strict directives. They advocate for using these guidelines to enhance personal style without letting them restrict creativity and enjoyment in dressing.

Christina eloquently sums it up: “Apply what's helpful to you and don't get hung up on them. That's when getting dressed is no longer fun if all we focus on are the rules fully” (33:14).

Key Takeaways

Style Rules as Tools: Instead of rigid rules, consider style guidelines as flexible tools to aid in creating harmonious and personalized outfits.
Historical vs. Contemporary Practices: Many traditional style rules originated from specific historical contexts and societal norms, which may not apply today.
Generational Shifts: Younger generations are more inclined to experiment and break conventional style norms, leading to evolving fashion landscapes.
Personal Comfort and Expression: Prioritizing personal comfort and expression over strict adherence to style rules can lead to a more enjoyable and authentic dressing experience.
Timeless Design Principles: Some principles, like balancing proportions and using color effectively, remain relevant across different eras and styles.

Notable Quotes:

Christina Mychas: “I love style rules. I don't necessarily like the word rules... I find them to be very helpful” (01:49).
Signe Hansen: “You could use them as principles or tools, but it's not going to apply to everybody all the time” (03:04).
Christina Mychas: “When I really stick to style rules, it makes me feel anxious when I'm getting dressed” (16:13).
Christina Mychas: “Apply what's helpful to you and don't get hung up on them” (33:14).

For more insightful discussions on mindful consumption and intentional living, join Alyssa, Christina, and Signe on their YouTube community for bonus content and direct engagement.

Transcript

A (0:02)

Good morning, everyone. Hello again. Welcome to another episode. We got a really interesting question in our email. I'm just going to get right into it. We got a really interesting question in our inbox and it was all about style rules. And we thought we would dedicate an entire episode to it because there's a lot on the Internet out there I'm going to you know about style rules and all of this content can be really helpful, but this was just such an interesting take. So Sigrid, thank you so much for your email and for those of you, if you want to ask us questions like this, we get really into it on our online community and we will be switching over from patreon over to YouTube. So don't forget to check that out. We will keep you posted on how you can, how you can get more involved. But in the meantime, let's get back to this question. So Sigrid is interested to explore if any of the style rules, quote unquote, are actually timeless or just applicable to the current winds of style. Can we see these rules being applied successfully on images from fashion that was considered on point in the past? Like if we're looking at the 40s, the 50s, the 60s, and by style rules, she's thinking of things like balancing the proportions of your outfit or the wrong shoe theory, or the rule of thirds or contrasting textures, or even, even the sandwich rule for colors or like the three color rule in an outfit. Those are all of the examples and I'm sure there are more out there, but I, I just found this to be so interesting. I know we've, we've spoken about rules before, but what are your thoughts, do you, what are your thoughts on rules and what do you think about this question?

B (1:49)

I think she's, I think she's probably right that it can be kind of connected to whatever's. I wouldn't necessarily, necessarily say trendy, but like the, what is the contemporary way of dressing right now? I feel like trends are very short lived. Whereas, you know, there, there are different kinds of trends. There's also just like the contemporary, quote unquote, contemporary way of dressing, which can be stretched over years, I think. And I think, yeah, I mean I love, I love style rules. I don't necessarily like the word rules or like rule. I don't necessarily look at them as rules, but I find them to be very helpful. For example, Alyssa, you mentioned before, what is three color rule? That's not necessarily something you've heard about. And I'm like, yeah, I love that rule. So it's like, okay, you. In short, it's you. You stick to a total of three colors in an outfit. And for me, I think it's a nice way to polish off my looks if I feel like something is a little bit off or if it's. If it feels a little bit all over the place. So I use it more as tools than I use it as rules. Really?

C (3:04)

Yeah, I think that's a better way to put it because rules sound so rigid. And, like, especially when it comes to style and fashion, it when you say rule, it assumes that that's correct. Like, that's the correct way to dress, and that's just not. That cannot be applicable to the. To absolutely everybody. So I think it's more like you say, use it as a tool if something feels off or you're not. Like, we talk about style as a feeling and going back to, you know, going, oh, it always kind of starts with how you. How you feel in your outfit versus how you want to feel, and then how the visuals in that outfit communicate that, how you create that connection. And you could use. Call them principles, call them tools, but it's not going to apply to everybody all the time. And. And rules kind of imply, again, like, that there's a right versus a wrong. And I don't think there is.