Break the Fashion Rules: 10 Unusual Pairings That Shouldn’t Work — But Do!

May 13, 2014

Images: Imaxtree

10 Unusual Pairings You Never Thought Could Be Worn Together

Socks and Sandals (at Vivienne Tam)

This combo was once considered a fashion faux pas, but socks and sandals have been all over the spring runways. How the times have changed!
Strapless Dresses Over Long Sleeves (at Paris Fashion Week)

Maximize your seasonal wardrobe by layering long sleeves under strapless dresses for a lesson in versatile dressing.
Birkenstocks and Dresses (at Houghton)

Granola footwear makes its mark in fashion this spring with Birkenstocks gracing the runways of major designers, inspiring the ugly shoe craze that is flatforms and slides.
Contrasting Stripes (at Tanya Taylor)

Horizontal stripes clash with vertical ones for a look that’s less up-and-down and more of an optical illusion.
Slogans On Dresses (at Christian Dior)

We’ve seen them on sweaters and shirts, but this season saw formal dresses painted with splashy slogans for statement-making style.
Pants Under Dresses (at Viktor & Rolf)

Spring looks get casually layered when pants and dresses come together to complete the perfect pair.
Suspenders and Skirts (at Rodarte)

Skirts get a little staying power when paired with a set of suspenders.
Crop Tops Over T-Shirts (at New York Fashion Week)

After seasons of this trend reigning supreme, the tried-and-tested crop top is reworked refreshingly over a full coverage T-shirt.
Sneakers With Everything (at London Fashion Week)

Typically reserved for the gym, designer sneakers are being worn with everything for a fresh take on 80s style.
Bermuda Shorts and Blazers (at Tracy Reese)

Bringing the beach to the boardroom, Bermuda shorts are elevated with button-up blazers for the new corporate summer dress code.

Megan Correia is a freelance fashion, beauty and lifestyle writer and editor extraordinaire hailing from Canada. After packing her designer bags and moving to the other side of the world on Australia’s Gold Coast, Megan received her Journalism degree to put her fashion knowledge and gift for the written word to good use. While always perusing the latest and upcoming fashion and beauty trends, runway collections and style stars of the season, Megan’s flair for fashion sparked a whirlwind expensive love affair with handbags and now considers herself to be a true bag snob. When she’s not trying to break the record for most Louis Vuitton bags owned, you can find her creating conversation on Twitter and Instagram.