The great thing about fashion is that, with enough conviction, you can make any look work (just one of the many reasons why building confidence is such an important life skill). In the age of Instagram, it has become all the more essential to start breaking fashion rules in order to leave a mark. While not all style rules are meant to be broken (keep those trending UGGs away from cocktail hour), some really are. Here’s a look at some unexpected style pairings that totally work and how to optimize them.
Better Together: Unexpected Style Pairings That Actually Work
-
Sneakers and Dresses
Designer sneakers are a major trend and when you're spending serious cash on footwear, it's great to know they're versatile enough to wear from day to night. This trend really took on steam with the Spring 2018 shows and continued into Fall 2018 (notably at Burberry). While it's easy to look like you're ready for Halloween in some of the more out-of-the-box sneaker styles, by keeping your dress tailored and avoiding any excess fabric, sneakers and dresses can be both comfortable and stylish.
Louis Vuitton Spring 2018; Image: Imaxtree
-
Sweatshirts and Sequins
Let the good times roll by combining athleisure with glitz and glam. Twinkling looks were all over the Spring 2018 runways and they're an unexpectedly great trend to work into your wardrobe now. The key is to either commit to looking like a disco ball — as we saw on the Gucci runway — or pick a sequin sweatshirt and let that be the focal piece of your outfit (think sequin sweatshirt with fitted black trousers).
Gucci Spring 2018; Image: Imaxtree
-
Sandals and Socks
This is similar to the fanny pack in that this combination was long a serious fashion faux pas. Now, in the right context, it's totally chic. The key to making the sandals and socks pairing work is to play up the kitschy, fun factor — think glitter!
Isabel Marant Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
-
Black and Blue
The problem with wearing black and blue together is that the two shades look very similar, which may make people wonder whether your pairing is accidental or intentional. Don't let them question it. To make this pairing work, amp up the contrast by opting for a lighter shade of blue to pair with black. Alternatively, you can work in a brightly contrasting shade like white, gray or silver to play up the slight contrast if you want to opt for a dark blue.
Chanel Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
-
Track Pants and Faux Fur
Athleisure continues to inspire high-end designers and street style magnets, which is where the unlikely pairing of track pants and fur comes in. Kendall Jenner has been spotted in it and it started making a splash on runways (like Chloe) last winter. In keeping with the enviable coziness of this trend, Bandier has been selling out of Varley's Daphne Pullover since it hit stores a few weeks ago. Pair it, or a similar faux fur top, with what has quickly become a season essential, a pair of track pants.
Chloe Fall 2017; Image: Imaxtree
-
Fanny Pack and Eveningwear
The fanny pack's serious high-fashion resurgence continues — and not only by day for hands-free comfort. Instead of opting for a belt next time you're looking to dress up a loose-fitting, monochromatic one-piece (think jumpsuit or dress), style it with this easy accessory for an eye-catching yet totally comfortable after dark look.
Street Style London Fashion Week Spring 2018; Image: Imaxtree
-
Dress and Pants
Forget tights, the best way to make a dress work even if the temperature is nearing zero is to wear it over pants. The most important thing here is to either go lightweight if you're opting for a long dress and loose-fitting pants or to go for a minidress paired with fitted pants. These two combinations are best to make sure the look doesn't end up appearing bulky.
Tom Ford Fall 2018; Image: Imaxtree
-
Denim on Denim
Denim is an American staple that will never go away, but a number of designers have been taking their love to the next level with denim-on-denim looks, including casual, formal and beachwear. Adam Selman is a great example of how to make this trend work. While some of his beach-inspired denim looks (he showed an itty-bitty bikini denim top with flared denim) may be more difficult to make work, anyone can pull off a fitted denim top or jacket paired with slightly flared jeans. The key is to break up the fabric with visual details, which in this case are florals and contrasting seams.
Adam Selman Spring 2018; Image: Imaxtree
-
Mixing Prints
This is a fun trend, especially as we get closer to summer. If you're not ready to commit to a full-on clash (think plaid with florals), you can start with something on the more subtle side of bold via mixed prints that share a common thread, like these two stripe-based prints.
Zero + Maria Cornejo Spring 2018; Image: Imaxtree
-
Gold and Silver
Touches of gold and silver work to instantly make any look dressier, no matter if your style is more rock 'n' roll or more on the prim and proper side. While conventional style wisdom dictates to never mix the two, if Chanel is proposing it (and it has long been a signature of WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie bags), you know it's time to experiment. One note of caution: metallics can have a too much of a good thing quality to them, so this is an unexpected pairing best left for accessories.
Image: Courtesy of Chanel
