I spent many years thinking you couldn’t wear black and brown together. I have no idea where I got that idea, or why, but I used to think that wearing black and brown together was a serious fashion no-no. Even as an adult, I put on my brown tweed dress and thought, “can I wear this with black tights? What will people think?” …apparently some old thoughts die hard, huh? Letting go of this fashion “rule” was so liberating, and the result? This traditional tweed dress got a serious modern update.
“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go.” Lao Tzu
Dress: Ann Taylor via consignment ($12 marked down from approx $120)
Cardigan: Banana Republic ($18 marked down from $70)
Leggings: Blue from Filene’s Basement ($4 marked down from approx $20)
Boots: DSW ($15 marked down from $50)
Belt: Urban Outfitters ($5 marked down from approx $25)
Earrings: Anthropologie ($4 marked down from $31)
Fashion Huntress tips:
1) Although I found this dress on consignment, I have been finding a lot of great pieces at Ann Taylor Loft lately. They continue to have 50% off their sale section right now. I even got 50% off their “final sale” items, which brought some pieces down to $2-$7. Amazing, right?! You all know that I am not sponsored by anyone, I just am loving that store lately! http://www.loft.com/
2) I have no idea where I picked up “fashion rules” such as not mixing black and brown, not wearing white after Labor Day, etc. I have found that “fashion rules” do not really seem applicable anymore, especially in a time when “mismatching” is so popular. If any of these “rules” are stopping you in the mornings, consider just trying on whatever you want to wear and see how it looks! You never know how something will look until you try it on, and you may be surprised (as I was) to see that wearing what you love, without any rules, looks completely fabulous.
Anyone else have fashion rules that they find are now out of date? Fashion rules that they love breaking?
Thanks for stopping by, readers! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and staying warm! We are down to single digits here, so please bear in mind that my upcoming posts might largely reflect giant down jackets and piles and piles of wool. Maybe I can make a down comforter look like a chic parka…?
the fashion huntress 
Fab! And the splash of red is genius! Love it x
You look gorgeous!! ☺️ xox
I always felt like that was a big no-no too! I’m glad I’m not the only one! You didn’t just break the rule, you reinvented it to something we should be doing more often because you make it look fabulous! I especially love that belt and those earrings!
XOXO
inconformistafashionista.wordpress.com
Okay, so it’s not just me!! And thank you 🙂 xoxo
I used to think it was a no no too but I love how you wear it!
I love the dress!
I’ve always thought that black and brown looked really good together, even though I knew it was technically a fashion faux pas. It’s so perfect for fall: dark but the brown warms things up so it just looks cozy and fun! Hahah plus, for some weird reason I
feel like black tights are so much warmer than any other color! Strange, but true. Either way, I think this is a super cute outfit! The neckline of the Ann Taylor dress it to die for!
Looks great! I am a HUGE LOFT fan, they always have such great sales and adorable pieces that are classic enough to last season to season. I always thought you couldn’t combine navy and black for some reason, but I was wrong wrong wrong. Now it’s one of my favorite combos!
That is one that I forgot about, but you’re right! That was a “rule” before!!
I really like your earrings 🙂
Great outfit!
Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
Rocking this!! Such a beautiful dress and love the color combos on you!! Sometimes loft has such steal finds!! 🙂
Great look!!
Looooveee those earring! Really cool outfit 🙂
http://www.littleprettymess.com
I also hit the extra 50% off final sale items at Loft. I scored work pants for $7 and a black skirt for $3. I totally pulled a you 😃. Love that tweed dress btw!!
XO
Katie
Yay! Awesome!! You go!
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The only “rule” that I still hesitate over is black tights with white shoes. I still break it from time to time with certain shoes, but it’s one I have to think carefully about!
Oh yeah- that’s one that maybe needs to stay!! Lol! Xo
black and brown are wonderful. I wore them to my anniversary dinner!!!
Hi Melissa! Your first picture is so great, I love how you mixed brown black and red, I think it’s sooo hot color combination. Thank you for link I will check for sure:) Also navvy with black from the same category I worn it but always thought it brings me down, but now I think completely opposite:)
You know I have always thought the same thing! I am only just now starting to wear black and brown together. It’s such a great combo… I don’t know why it was consider a “don’t”! Anyway, you look great!
xo, Kenya
This is so fabulous…. LOve it and i love the pctures too.
I think that…I love it! These colors are so rich together. I have fully embraced black and brown together, people need to get over it already 😉
I love it! The pop of red and your accessories are perfect! 😉
Diana
http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
New Blog Post: How to Save Money This Holiday Season
This dress is so pretty… and, how did you do your hair like this?!?
Most fashion rules are out of date in my opinion;), there is always a way to make almost anything work! Besides diaper shorts, those are always a no-no!
xx Cara
Haha! diaper shorts…I’m with you on this one!
And re: my hair- I pin curl my hair pretty much all throughout winter. I just shower at night and then with my hair still wet, I divide it into 6 sections and then I twist each section into a bun that I fasten with bobby pins. Then, when I wake up, I generally undo the buns and then loosely pin back the curls. Sounds labor intensive but the entire process from night to the next day is about 10 minutes total. I’m all about not blow drying and minimal effort if it means I can sleep another 15 minutes- lol!! xo
And you know what would have made this outfit even more fabulous?!? A red lip! 😉
You are not the only one. I forgot who told me this, but they also believed pairing black and brown was a bad idea, when in reality it doesn’t look bad at all. I adore this dress and that red cardigan over it is perfect.
-Vogue&Heels
http://www.vogueandheels.com
Beautiful…love the metallic brown sweater dress!
I love black + brown. You look great!
I like black and brown together. Your dress is very cute and you look great on it. The red cardigan with the black leggings and boots make a perfect match! Xoxo
Perfect outfit…I love i!
Loooove that dress. I’m still kicking myself for the little tweed dress I passed up at a thrift store a few weeks ago. There are so many that I didn’t start breaking untill I started seriously blogging like 5 months ago. Navy and black, black and brown, white after labor day, I think I’ve broken all of those this year alone! My living room is a mixture of dark brown, black and light brown but I love it. Sometimes I sit on my floor cushions thinking this is so wrong but it feels oh so right! 🙂 I’m heading to loft now ahh I shoudn’t but I’m a sucker for a good deal. 🙂
http://middayspritzer.com/
LOL! I hear you- I break way more now that I blog weekly!! And let us know how Loft goes; I went yesterday, but it was pretty picked over by that point! I’m glad I got a few things in before that, but hopefully you’ll have more luck!! xo
hi. That is an awesome belt! Great deal!!! I love Urban Outfitters!- you can find such great deals there and unique things that hardly anyone else has!