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People Are Talking Jul 10, 2009 @ 3:58pm

Rules: Always Meant to be Broken

090525-montees-des-marches-du-mercredi-20-.aspx67883Image.jpg So, according to MSN it’s time for all of us to get new wardrobes — if we follow their rules, that is.

They released a list of 12 things that they think people should not wear beyond their teens.

And while we’ll give some merit to midriff-bearing tops and slogan tees, that’s about all we can get behind.

Apparently dramatic patterns, sequins and extreme stilettos should get the ax once you turn the big 2-0. God, someone should tell Carine!

And don’t even think about carting your oversized bag anywhere either, since they’re just so taboo also.

We say fashion rules are meant to be broken, especially these ridiculous ones. What say you?

—MELISSA ELLIOTT

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posted by cee5283

Jul 10, 2009 4:08PM

The thing that shocks me about this one is the number of items that seem inappropriate for teens to wear...at least habitually. Are they saying that stilletos and cleavage baring tops are acceptable for teens?

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 4:10PM

Seriously, no stilettos AFTER 20? I would think a more acceptable, though still pretty ridiculous, rule would be no stilettos before 20

posted by CocoChic

Jul 10, 2009 4:13PM

Why would someone listen to MSN for fashion advice anyway?

According to their rules, at 22, I need to be dressing like a nun!

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 4:13PM

haha i agree with #1. some of these things on the list are things that my parents wouldn't have let me walk out of the house in. i don't care about what they say anyway.

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 4:29PM

haha yeah MSN isn't exactly threatening Vogue, but that was still amusing. I have to say though: I personally don't think anyone should wear message/slogan tees, over OR under 20

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 4:47PM

umm I personally am so OVER oversized bags...

posted by vickystadler

Jul 10, 2009 5:01PM

yeah wow. no statement patterns or oversized jewelry? i mean, where's the fun in fashion if everyone is wearing knee-length black pencil skirts and stud earrings?

a quote from that article: "Extravagant freedom of expression should be left to the younger set." uhm, really? everyone is entitled to self expression...especially through fashion. the key is to express yourself tastefully

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 5:19PM

Not that I'm sticking up for MSN, but I don't think the fashion crowd is their target audience. As someone who is in temporary self-imposed exile from New York, there are a NUMBER of women I see daily who could use a few of these tips. They're not trying to replace Vogue, they're a voice of reason... just because you see it on a celebrity, doesn't mean it's appropriate for YOU.

Of course their rules don't apply to Fashionista and its readers or Carine Roitfeld (as, in my book, she is immune from all laws or rules), but to those without the taste level of a Vogue employee, those are pretty good rules to live by. In fact, I might just print out a copy and post it to the door of the apartment in which I'm staying.

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 5:19PM

who does MSN think they are? I love all those things!!! Obv they don't know what they are talking about.
Long live these trends!!!

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 5:20PM

posted by collegiate

Jul 10, 2009 5:20PM

Since when are you old when you're in you're 20s???

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 6:27PM

I thought "not over 35" was bad enough, but 20? Wow...I might as well have one foot in the grave.
Well, at some point my skirts will have to stick to the knee, but I'm not going to stop wearing what works for me until *I* feel I look silly.
Carine is the epitome of how to stay chic as you get older.
What the heck is wrong with out society that our media constantly tells us to hide ourselves away as we age, but fetishize young girls? What age do they suggest is appropriate for the stilettos--10?

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 7:11PM

Personally I think it is inappropriate to wear extreme stilettos before the age of 20

http://amandasfashionspot.blogspot.com

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 7:55PM

I was going to say the exact same thing as #1 - I personally don't want to see a 14 year old in stilettos and/or a cleavage-baring top! And I love how they use Lady Gaga as the example of someone "too old" to wear flamboyant jewelry. She's 23.

posted by Signature9

Jul 10, 2009 7:57PM

There are so many people who don't wear these things well until they're at least 20. Agreed about the midriff tops, but for most of the rest the list is ridiculous. And 20? Seriously? Way to make those who haven't even hit 30 yet feel like dinosaurs.

http://www.signature9.com

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 8:02PM

actually alot of the stuff they say is appropriate for teenagers completely isnt - cleavage? spiked heels? these are two things that belong strictly to the older crowd. and frankly when did being in your 20's make you old...or cough cough in your 30's? Heck im willing to wager that 40 isnt that old either. when you consider we live past our 70s.

posted by w4yy2g00d4u

Jul 10, 2009 8:05PM

are they derranged? who wrote this? a 45 year old man with a slutty daughter? i am 15 and i do not show cleavage nor do i wear stilettos and outrageous hairpieces.

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 8:24PM

They'll have to pry the stilletos from me! At 22 years and 4'11... I NEED them.

This list might be good for the average person, but a fashionista isn't going to be getting sound wardrobe advice from MSN.

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 8:53PM

I hear you, #18! I'm 22 and 5'.

posted by nycshoegal

Jul 10, 2009 10:05PM

this is absurd. and their view on "teenage appropriate" clothes is plain scary.
msn, amongst other things i've got a news flash for you - 20's are not considered ripe old age.

posted by guest

Jul 10, 2009 11:43PM

ridiculous list. i actually think only women OVER 20 actually have the traction to pull off stilettos and dramatic patterns.

posted by guest

Jul 11, 2009 12:41AM

whomever wrote that should be fired. and msn should not have a style section. that's all.

posted by valenlb

Jul 11, 2009 12:45AM

break them all! what a ridiculous list.

posted by guest

Jul 11, 2009 6:11AM

rules are made to be broken. Or, in this case, to annoy people. I LOVE the fact that people like Carine, Anna, ADR, etc. break rules like this. It's why their style icons to some.

posted by guest

Jul 11, 2009 11:28AM

@ #24 i've NEVER seen such rules for 20+ years olds ever, lol. so there's nothing about breaking them. they just don't exist.

this is the age group designers DESIGN FOR! haha

posted by guest

Jul 11, 2009 1:36PM

I think this list is actually pretty appropriate for people over FORTY, not twenty. Imagine your mother or grandma dressed up like Paris Hilton. Not exactly a pretty sight, is it? This list is probably just intended to make people dress their age.

posted by grammyweezy

Jul 11, 2009 3:06PM

no. 26 the point is that the list isn't for over 40's is it? MSN is trash, when I used to use hotmail the articles that would pop up when i signed out were completely ridiculous, sexist and mindless. i'm dangerously close to my 23rd birthday, so i'll just crawl away and die now.

posted by bighugforfashion

Jul 12, 2009 7:58AM

MSN needs to sit down. They don't know what the hell they are talking about. First off, I think one should dress according to their genre. I am thirty but I look like I am barely able to drink legally. If I actually wore
the clothes that were supposedly appropriate for my age, I would look really stupid. I think one should dress in the way that best compliments their look.

Anyway getting fashion advice from MSN is like getting fashion advice from your school principal.

posted by guest

Jul 12, 2009 2:25PM

Hahahaha, this is great. Reading the comments might have been the best part.

Thank you MSN for telling me what I should be wearing. I'm glad you spend your time writing such informative pieces and don't focus on real news stories. Yellow Journalism at its finest.

posted by guest

Jul 12, 2009 7:29PM

and from another MSN pieces "Subtle jewellery is off the menu this summer" - advocating the statement necklace. And gladiator sandals.

Consistency...small minds...oh whatever.

posted by guest

Jul 12, 2009 9:03PM

I say Bullsh*t!

posted by guest

Jul 12, 2009 9:21PM

BS indeed. I'm 16 I haven't even worn these things yet. Platforms, jewellery, big bags, and dresses are all I wear. I'm not giving up 3/4 of my wardrobe When I turn 20.

posted by darcykins

Jul 13, 2009 9:15AM

i guess there is little point in saying this but i agree with pretty much everyone else. I feel like atleast half those items are more appropriate for women over 20.
And I love that sequin/rhinestone dress on Cate Blanchett.

posted by guest

Jul 13, 2009 10:18AM

This was absolutely ridiculous, as someone who just turned 20 I finally feel justified to wear things such as stilettos or show off my cleavage (which both look ridiculous on a young teen). Dramatic prints? What was this?

posted by deathofadame

Jul 13, 2009 10:50AM

...who was the idiot that came up with that list?

http://vinesteet.blogspot.com/

posted by guest

Jul 13, 2009 11:36AM

Yay fashionista readers for agreeing with eachother!!!
Everytime I read the comments everyone's down eachothers throats.

But anyway, FUCK MSN.

posted by guest

Jul 13, 2009 12:19PM

This is hilarious. Honestly I don't think that there should be any rules on any age period (except if you are dangerously too young ofcourse). Wear what makes you happy then other people would just have to deal with it. When I'm older I'm probably going to be the weird old lady who wears the craziest outfits.

posted by guest

Jul 14, 2009 3:02PM

There is no such thing as rules. merely one person's opinion in fashion.

If everypone followed the ToDo list, the not ToDO will be in vogue.

posted by guest

Jul 14, 2009 4:45PM

Another ridiculous piece written by someone who is out of gas but needs a topic for an article anyhow.

posted by sam alex

Jul 14, 2009 11:26PM

i was on the verge of not even commenting because the ridiculousness has already been marveled at, but - if you click the first recommended article under the slideshow, "10 things you must buy this summer" or something, the very first item is a ROMPER! the epitome of childlike clothing! full disclosure i adore rompers, but come ON.