With shows like Fashion Police and What Not to Wear putting a taboo on certain trends, it’s easy to think that all fashion rules are in place for a reason and here to stay. There is no show like Mythbusters for fashion that deems rules of the past irrelevant. As fashion transitions from muted presentation to ultimate freedom of expression, some people ignore “don’t wear white after Labor Day” and “no spring colors in the fall and winter.” But others banish pieces with style potential from their wardrobes.

Nancy Gandrud, stylist and founder of A Bit Lovely – Boulder-based interior design, color consulting and styling business – shared her secrets to tastefully breaking the most common fashion rules.

Don’t Wear White After Labor Day

When Labor Day strikes, white moves to the back of the closet, but wearing white in the winter can be chic. “I like to mix textures in any monochromatic look,” Gandrud said. “Choose fabrics that have weight, texture and depth. You can wear white, but choose a winter appropriate fabric.”

No Spring Colors in the Fall and Winter

Fall and winter typically welcome deep, dark colors, like burgundy, navy blue, army green and black. Gandrud recommends wearing pastel colors with contrasting pieces and heavier textures. “A hint of pastel here and there is flirty and can add femininity and a nice lightness to a dark winter color palette,” she said.

Don’t Mix Navy Blue and Black

People tend to think that navy blue and black rule different kingdoms of the dark and look chic on their own but never mingle. Gandrud thinks that the color combination embodies the elegance in fall and winter. If the colors look too dark, she suggests adding a pop of light color to brighten the palette.

No Horizontal Stripes

It’s true: horizontal stripes may make you look wider. It’s also true that you can combat the deception with a few stripe selection tricks. Tiny stripes highlight curves, whereas thicker stripes are always classic. “Play with the size of the stripe and remember to make the stripes an accessory to a look rather than the entirety of the look. If you wear a striped top then stick with a solid colored pant or skirt. If you wear an oversize stripe print on a cover up or jacket keep the rest of the look muted. If you have a part of your figure you want to accent or hide, have the stripe print fall over the area you want to accentuate rather than the area you want to hide,” Gandrud said.

Don’t Wear Black Head-to-Toe

Anna Wintour, American Vogue editor-in-chief, has made it clear on multiple occasions that she would never wear head-to-toe black. According to Gandrud, all-black is classic and urban. “Keep an all-black outfit interesting by mixing different textured materials and playful silhouettes to make the look more intriguing to the eye,” she said.