The most modern way to dress is out of the box. Editors turned street style stars Giovanna Battaglia and Taylor Tomasi Hill on their favorite fashion rules to break.

“I often get calls and emails from friends, family members and even strangers asking if they can wear navy with black and I sort of giggle to myself. Of course [you can]!” says Marie Claire Style and Accessories Director Taylor Tomasi-Hill who is a self-professed style chameleon. Most of you may not know her name, but the fashion lovers among you will surely recognize her face. Taylor’s bold, singular way of dressing has made her a regular on the pages of fashion magazines and street style blogs the world over.

“I wouldn’t say any of the traditional fashion etiquette ‘rules’ apply to my day to day dressing,” she adds. Giovanna Battaglia, fashion editor of W magazine, who is an equally popular street style star, agrees. “Rule is a word that goes against instinct. Fashion is a world where the rules change every season. What was black is now color and what was solid color is now print,” she explains. The two women talk us through their unique approach to getting dressed.

1. Break your evening wardrobe out for day

“I think wearing white lace in the morning looks lovely and that gold dresses and embroidery looks better worn in the day than at night. A silver skirt and a gold foil blouse for example, looks amazing,” Battaglia says.




2. Combine contrasting prints freely

“Some say mixing prints is a no-no, but for me and for fashionistas all over the globe this has been a huge trend as of late. As long as the prints work together and don’t compete you are on your way to breaking one of the rules but in a good way,” Tomasi-Hill says. Battaglia adds, “One of my favorite things to do is pair up a polka dot top and a floral print skirt. As long as you wear something in a bold way, it works.”

3. And do wear black with navy

“Black and brown together — some would say eeeek, I say chic,” Tomasi-Hill says before giving outfits that mix navy, black, brown and gray the thumbs up.

4. Repeat with wild abandon

“Sometimes I will wear the same skirt to work four days out of five, always in a different way. I become addicted to seeing how many ways I can wear it,” Tomasi-Hill says. “I’ve often thought I should do this for fashion month as it would certainly cut down on the packing process.”

5. And where it like you mean it

“During the week, I like to really dress up, especially for work. It puts me in a good frame of mind,” Battaglia says. Taylor also dresses to win: “My first job in fashion was at W magazine. My boss at the time told me to dress for the job you want in the future. I live by this rule.”

Giovanna Battaglia’s wardrobe staples

“My Chanel stripy long sleeved t-shirt is my favorite thing to wear on a long flight. And I love pretty much all of my Manolo Blahnik shoes because when they’re good, they’re timeless.”

Taylor Tomasi-Hill’s wardrobe staples

“A bright blue vintage dress that I’ve worn to the first day of every new job. It started out floor length and I later altered it to above the knee with pinking shears. And my snakeskin print Equipment shirt in green.”

Get the look



(l-r): Equipment snakeskin print skirt, Bex Rox art deco collar, Topshop ivory elephant print trousers




(l-r): American Apparel breton pullover, Charlotte Bjorlin Delia gold bangle, Manolo Blahnik muna stiletto

–by Romina McGuinness

Throw away that free duffel bag you got at the annual company conference and upgrade for autumn with a holdall that doesn’t sacrifice fashion in the name of practicality.





Photo credits (l-r): Guerre, Guerrisms, Michelle Bobb-Parris, Who Is Bobb Parris

(l-r): Filson messenger bag, WANT Les Essentiels de la vie o’hare shopper tote bag, Topman, altitude rucksack, Cambridge satchel company 15” vintage backpack