Rule: Never mix stripes and patterns.

Break it! Mix stripes and patterns don’t be afraid to mix stripes and patterns. Conventional logic says you should balance a pattern shirt, top or shirt with something sombre and plain at the other end. But compiled with flair you can offset florals, bold graphics. Even checks with stripes can look fantastic. You just balance the scale correctly – mix small, tightly patterned florals with a bold stripe or a looser brighter design with a narrow pin stripe in a neutral palette.

Rule: Anyone bigger than a size 14 shouldn’t wear horizontal patterns.

Break it! The logic behind this is that vertical stripes make you look thinner – they don’t really, they just make you look shapeless. Just because you’re not stick thin doesn’t mean that you should aim to blend into the background. Embrace your curves with horizontal stripes and patterns. They may not make you look thinner but they will certainly celebrate your shape in style and feel fabulously voluptuous while you’re doing it.

Rule: Sequins and glitz should only be worn on a night out.

Break it! It’s a sad truism that the older you get the fewer nights out you have, so don’t save your sequins and glitz for the evening when you’ll rarely wear it. With the rulebook thrown out of the window you make these styles work for a fabulous and chic daytime look if you learn how to mix it subtly. 
Choose styles that work in the daytime like a sequined covered knee length skirt or loose fitting harem trousers and offset them with neutral coloured knitwear in beige or grey, or wear them with a cardigan or a plain t-shirt and flat shoes. Similarly you can allow spandex leggings in eye-popping colours to peek out from underneath longer dresses.

Rule: Only fashionistas shop in hip designer shops.

Break it! You may not want to buy into the latest trend but style savvy designer shops often have a directional take on wardrobe basics. 
White t-shirts with a sharp cut or a basic cardigan in finest merino wool or a t-shirt dress in the season’s hottest colours will give your wardrobe an instant lift. And you don’t have to worry about snooty sales assistants – most are on commission and a recession is a great reminder to be polite to all their customers.

Rule: Shoes are made for different seasons.

Break it! Not anymore, with a little accessorising you can wear whatever you want at whatever time of year. Wear your wellies in summer with shorts to combat summer showers and dress open toed sandals up with thick socks in bright colours to combat winter frost.