Last week, <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2011/06/book-of-the-week-parisian-chic/">Design Mom asked a question about personal style</a>, "Do you like style rules? Or do they stress you out?"

My answer? I don’t mind rules. They let you know know which ones to break when you want to stand out.

Gabrielle's question was in response to Ines de le Fressange's edict on earrings and necklaces -- in her opinion it's either or. I suppose that's an easy enough rule to follow, unless of course you're going all glamour.

Like, say Grace Kelly. Or Liz Taylor. Or the Cleopatra-like model in the Tiffany ad.

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Rules are comforting and make life easier. But don't be afraid to break them every once in awhile. Keep things fun.

This got me thinking about other style rules, and how to break them.

<strong>Never wear white after Labor Day</strong>

<a href="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Abbey-Lee-Kershaw-4.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1613" title="Abbey-Lee-Kershaw-4" src="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Abbey-Lee-Kershaw-4-203x300.jpg" alt="" width="203" height="300" /></a>

Tell that to Abbey Lee Kershaw (<a href="http://alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com/2011/01/abbey-lee.html">pictured outside the Hotel de Crillon, Paris in October</a>). Winter whites are dreamy.
<h3>Never wear black with brown or navy</h3>
http://img258.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=59075_Celebutopia-Dita_Von_Teese_shopping_in_Hollywood-02_122_507lo.JPG

http://pinterest.com/pin/46587863/
<h3>Never wear red if you’re a redhead.</h3>
http://forum.santabanta.com/showthread.htm?t=195378
<h3>Short hair when grey</h3>
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/07/kristen_mcmenamy_lets_her_long.html
<h3>Never wear tights with open-toed shoes</h3>
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