Rules You Should

Starting with some staple pieces—a basic sheath dress or plain T-shirt and jeans, for example—may seem like a good way to keep your look from getting too over-the-top. That said, there's no reason your fashion sense shouldn't be as vibrant as your personality.

Mixing patterns and colors is an easy way to brighten up your look—and one that has no age limit, according to experts. "Make sure not to use patterns or colors that clash, but rather make an interesting and complimentary look," suggests Von Sorella. She recommends avoiding mixing neons or layering animal prints, but otherwise having fun mixing and matching.

Black and dark blue may be similar shades, but they're not so alike that you shouldn't pair them in a single look. "It's actually a great idea," says fashion influencer Liz Jeneault. "A black leather jacket goes well with a pair of indigo blue jeans and black booties, for example."

"I love breaking this rule because according to color science, both brown and black are neutral colors, therefore can be worn together," explains fashion designer Priscilla Von Sorella. If you want to make this supposed "don't" work, Von Sorella suggests choosing complementary brown and black shades and playing with texture to make the look cohesive.

Gray hair is having a major moment, so why cover up your natural grays if you don't feel so inclined? "If you love your gray and it suits your skin tone, keep it," says Gold. But that doesn't mean you should feel obligated to do so, either. "If coloring your hair makes you feel youthful and beautiful, then do that," she says.

Short hair looks great on people of all ages—but that doesn't mean you should immediately opt for a pixie cut just because you've hit 40. "If you have good hair and you want to keep it long, do so," says Gold. "The most important thing is to keep your hair in good condition so it always looks fabulous!" And for more iconic 'dos, check out This Is the "It" Hairstyle the Year You Were Born.

There's no age limit on trendiness, so don't force yourself to adopt a more demure or timeless style if it doesn't feel right to you. "Dress to suit your personal style and body shape and you will always look fabulous!" says Gold, who recommends adding a few trendy pieces to your existing wardrobe to try them out before completely revamping your look. And for more rules that are made to be broken, check out these 40 Common Fashion Tips Women Should Always Ignore.

Summer and fall can be brutally hot, so why would you wear clothing with sleeves that make you feel warmer? Gold says if you "feel completely comfortable with showing your arms, then do it." However, if you're not entirely confident in that area, Gold suggests wearing a flared short sleeve instead of one that cuts snugly across the widest part of your bicep.

Don't ditch those short dresses and skirts just because you're over 40. If you feel confident in shorter styles, there's no reason not to wear them. "You can show a bit of leg without your skirts being so short you can't sit down in them," says Gold. She notes that you can make this look work even if your legs aren't your favorite feature. "You can wear leggings or tights under your dress or over-the-knee boots in fall/winter," she suggests.

Besides, experts say that wearing all black can actually have an unintended effect on your appearance. "Wearing black close to your face can actually make you look older," explains personal stylist and QVC fashion presenter Tracy Gold. Instead, "wearing a complimentary color close to your face can bring color to your face, making you look fresh and youthful." And if you're eager to upgrade your look, try these 17 Wardrobe Upgrades Every Woman Needs for Fall, According to Stylists.