Law School Looks: Oh No, White After Labor Day!

When we enter into a professional setting, we often feel the need to leave our youthful looks behind. However, I believe that this is not necessary. My general rule of thumb is to include both conservative elements and fun/adventurous elements when operating in a professional setting. That is one of the reasons that I really like this dress. The black and white combination is very classy and clean. The form is reminiscent of the '60s with the simple lines, loose bodice, cinched waist, and full skirt, and collar. A few special elements of this particular dress's form is that the flowing skirt is pleated and the black trim is very effective at both highlighting and contrasting.

Then, there is the wonderfully whimsical pattern with the mint colored birds wearing top-hats, the water-like lines and swirls, and the small bird silhouette.

Accessories: I decided to wear turquoise earrings to complement the mint colored birds and black flats to stick with the classic black and white combination.

Oh No, White After Labor Day!
While his ensemble is very cute, I have violated one of the cardinal fashion rules of the United States: Don't wear white after labor day. What horror! But where does this steadfast and seemingly arbitrary rule come from? It is a common belief that this rule originated with the elite. Most people in the "olden" days wore dark clothes, because it was impractical to risk wearing light colored clothes that would be ruined by the ordinary drudgery of the day. However, the wealthy members of society rocked white clothing throughout the summer while vacationing at their summer homes. Labor Day is often seen as the day that signals the last day of summer. Thus, out with summer, out with white. This rule became a good way to distinguish those that were in (part of polite society) from those that were out.

While this is a big fashion faux pas in the U.S., there were many fashionistas before me that pushed back against this rule; one example is Coco Chanel. Coco Chanel wore white year-around. Bronwyn Cosgrave, the author of The Complete History of Costume and Fashion: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day, said that "Fashion rules are meant to be broken by those that can pull it off." I completely agree.

So what do you think, did I pull it off?

References:
http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1920684,00.html

New Trend Alert! Bird Branch Print

Now this print is not brand new, but I knew once I saw it on a fashionable gift bag that this print was becoming popular. In the past few years there have been several prints and images that have become insanely popular such as: skulls, owls, and both bright and muted floral prints. Now there is birds, specifically birds on branches. Personally, I am not in love with this print, but the boldness and vibrancy of the print is definitely to be admired.

www.polyvore.com

This is a very fun print that can liven up a more conservative outfit without pushing the "sexy" limits. This is the direction that Hanna from ABC Family's show Pretty Little Liars took when she paired it with a sweater. I don't know if that means the print has arrived or not, but the show is known to be fashion forward. The bird branch print is youthful but I could see the more mature woman rocking this print, possible on a smaller scale. It is a print that kind of falls in between mature (sometimes dowdy) and childish (in a good way). I have not reached that point in my fashion life in which I would be comfortable in this print, but I certainly don't knock those that are a little more adventurous. This print is cool in its own way, but I don't believe that it will be a lasting trend. We will see!

http://productshots2.modcloth.com

What do you think?

 Let me know what you think about this unique and interesting  bold print. Do you like it? Would you wear it?