The late Estee Lauder says you can never wear white shoes after Labor Day. But of course, in today's world, that does not exist.
From the very beginning I've said to women not to follow the fashion rules blindly, and to adapt clothes to suit who they are, and not the contrary.
I firmly believe that 90 percent of the confusion that women feel when they are attempting to put together an occasion-specific ensemble is caused by fear: fear of breaking the 'fashion rules,' fear of violating some long-forgotten tradition, or the basic fear of looking bad.
I love dressing for different occasions and having dress codes. For me, it's such a fun thing to have a reason to think about dressing within restraints or codes or rules, so it's something I have fun with.
Everybody has their own taste, and I allow for that, but personally, I don't like a striped tie on a striped shirt. I don't like brown shoes with a blue suit. Cordovan maybe, but not brown.
It's not a good idea to match your shoes with a bag too stringently. Go for subtle similarity.
Your shoes have to match your belt. That's rule number one for guys. You can't put the brown shoes with the black belt. Or a brown belt with a black wristwatch. Just don't do it! Also, I don't like boots with suits. And when you wear sneakers, make sure they go with your shirt.
Many faux pas of fashion can be avoided if you curb your instinctive desire to buy things with your heart instead of your head.
Never go anywhere you have to wear brown shoes.
I am not the sort of woman who would wear high heels with a bathing suit. Let's get that straight right now.
Using adverbs is a mortal sin.
Never wear plaid.
Like all editors, I assume, I'm a reactor.
If you're short, don't wear extremely high heels. After a certain age, you shouldn't wear little girls' clothes. That's going against your nature.
For me, it's really like, okay, if you go far with the unexpected materials and unexpected proportions or volumes, then keep the colors quite simple and straightforward for men.
You have to observe a few simple rules in dressing, which are really not rules; it's just being appropriate. If you're 70 and want to wear miniskirts, 70-year-old knees ain't pretty!
I think a lot of what goes into writing can be taught - not mixing metaphors, etc.
