I love wearing navy and black together. I'm not sure if I'm really breaking a rule when I do that, but I feel like I am. Isn't that what counts? =)

I'm totally down for the guy getting hit by a car bit. I have a guy friend who does that, surprises me (in a good way) every time. then i purposely balance on the very edge of the sidewalk to give him a challenge.

I broke the black/brown rule last weekend by wearing a black wrap dress with a brown/white scarf and brown riding boots. I thought my boyfriend was going to lose it. He kept insisting "I couldn't do that." (And he lives in ratty tshirts, jeans and dorky sneakers. Puh-lease.)

I've held it in for long enough:

I.love.your.legs.

The end.

Esther - You're sweet. I got 'em from my mama.

Not sure if it's a rule-breaker, but it drives my grandma nuts: I wear beat-up old Frye booties with sundresses all summer long. My Mimi actually said, "honey, do you want Mimi to buy you some new shoes?" hahaha. Go on with your badass, rule-breaking self, Kathleen! I got your back. xo.

I for one am all about breaking some fashion rules. I think it works best is your outfit is rad before you start clashing. (Wearing khaki's & a polo I still think it looks best to match your shoes & belt.)
But I'm not a fan of most 'chivalry' rules. Sometimes I let them slide because he likes doing them for me but I still maintain the illusion that I am in charge, because I am being nice by letting HIM be nice. How complicated love must be.

P dot S. I was also admiring how bad-a$$ your legs look in this combo. I wanted to tell you that.

So the one year I was a girl scout in the fourth grade, one of our activities was "etiquette lessons"... The only thing that stuck with me is that ladies shouldn't clap by bringing both hands together, but by tapping the fingers of one hand on the upturned palm of the other. I'm sure I look pompous when I do it, but I can't clap any other way now!

I also break the brown/black and navy/black rule. Often. I also wear white shoes after Labor Day.
- crystal

You are so adorable! I've been skimming your blog, and I'd love to tell you what an inspiration you are!

I've recently decided to change the direction of my blog to a shop local theme, and my friend Nicole sent me a link to your blog today telling me how inspiring and creative yours is. WIN! she was right! And you're from Oklahoma City as well! I'd love to keep in touch, and of course, I'm set on being a frequent reader.

keep it up! I'm loving everything, so dearly.

Hi Shayla! Thanks for the sweet words - and thanks to Nicole for sharing the link!

I'm a big fan of shopping and eating local. We've got lots of local goodies here in OKC!

1. You really do have awesome legs. (Said in as non-creepy a way as possible.)

2. Fashion rules (aside from "wear clean clothing without too many holes") are beyond me. It would never occur to me that black and brown looked anything but great together.

3. Big fan of chivalry also.

I grew up with very specific rules. Earrings had to be a certain length, belt must match the shoes, no long sleeves with shorts, no white before easter...

Now, i break all the rules. Maybe I'm just rebelling against my pastel wearing upbringings, but I purposely wore white boots last weekend just to make a statement that I can where whateva I want!

The whole sidewalk boy/girl thing? My {step}dad did that religiously - always made me feel safer ... just because he thought about it.

Rules I love: When asked permission (usually by my own kid) I love it when they form it as a privilege, not demand. May I have a glass of water? Not - Get me some water. It's the little things.

My daughter breaks "rules" of fashion all the time and is adamant about it, I love that she's got that in her and her style is often more becoming than the catalogs pushed at our mailbox.

My favorite, ever ... is when my husband opens doors for me, including the car door. I don't know why, I just love it. Feels like we're still dating.

i don't usually bother to match my socks, unless i know we are going out on an audit that day. i also wear an unusual amount of color (not to me, of course, but to everyone around me)

i don't consider myself a rule breaker when it comes to fashion, but i totally mix brown and black shamelessly. i was seen in black tights with brown boots a LOT this winter.

ps. i think that last pose looks like you have to pee... ;]

Amanda - Aw, shucks. Thanks. I'm blushing.

Megan - There would be some serious rebellion going on on my part had I grown up with strict rules like that.

Jodi - I love that you embrace your daughter's rule-breaking fashion sense.

Vanessa - Clearly I have more posing practice to do. ;)

I work in a corporate setting; I think I'm breaking fashion rules when I wear "jeggings" on a Wednesday.

And I love it when a guy opens a door for a gal. And it always shocks the snit out of me when my husband opens the car door for me. There aren't many sidewalks around here; but the next time we're walking on one I will have to pay special attention to which side he walks on.

Brown and black are both neutrals, so they are totally fine to wear together. I'm not sure about the white shoe thing...but who really owns all white shoes/boots anyway? I do keep my white outfits to mostly summer and winter because I think they look more seasonal.

Chivalry is always a perk. In addition to opening doors, my boyfriend will give my order to the server at restaurants. It sounds a little antiquated, but I appreciate the sentiment.

Keep up the interesting posts!

look at those muscles, girl!

i always try to talk to my students about chivalry... eleventh grade boys... listen up! i'm a believer in some of the old fashioned for sure and that is okay with me :)

oh and i ALWAYS wear navy and black together or brown and black. who cares! i think i look swell in both combos.

Ok, another favorite. That jacket is hot, and the stance/experssion - even hotter! I wear black and brown as well as black and navy. If it looks good, it looks good. Go rule breakers!

Hi Kathleen, I've been stalking your blog for a while! You're super inspiring to a wannabe professional graphic designer. I want to be like you when I grow up! ;)

And I wanted add, on What Not To Wear, they say black + brown are acceptable because they are both neutrals.