Life is about progression. Learning that change is good – and accepting it – is what being a human is all about.

The same can be said of fashion and the journey that all of us take from a complete rookie to a seasoned sartorial pro. Because what you liked a couple of years ago, you may not be such a big fan of now. For example, I was all about Marmite on toast a few years back when I was studying for my MA. These days? Nah, we’re off that. Things have changed, I’m afraid.

When you first start out in the men’s style game, it can all be a bit too much to take in. Men’s fashion has seriously caught up with it’s female counterpart in the last decade, progressing to a level where the choices and options available to the average male are at an overwhelming level.

So, rather like learning to swim, it’s important to start in the shallow end and then work your way deeper. Begin by purchasing simple, classic, versatile pieces that you know will see you through any situation. Essentially, learn the rules of style.

But once you’ve learned the rules – you can then learn how to break them. This is a concept I’ve been thinking about a lot recently.

When I first started writing the men’s fashion basics series a couple of years ago, there were a few steadfast rules that I wanted rookies to stick to. This way you could avoid some of the more complicated problems that arise when trying to dress well; things like colour combinations, pattern mixing and obsessing over the details. They were the same rules that I stuck to religiously for many years too.

Breaking The Rules

However, as previously mentioned, I’ve started to change my mind and, now that I understand them inside out, have started to break the rules that I laid down years before.

Here are my top five that I like to experiment with…

1. Navy & Black

You’ve probably heard me say that navy goes with everything, except black. The reason for this is that when put together the two colors can create a black hole effect, sucking in the beholder’s eyes to their location and never letting them go to admire other aspects of your outfit. This is due to them being far too similar in color and tone.