Do silver and gold go together? Do shoes and bags have to match? With individuality seen as a plus in the world of fashion today, the rules have changed.

Silver and Gold, Together
Over afternoon coffee the other day, I met with Kristine Dee, a Pratt Institute graduate and jewelry artist from Manila. Before I could ask her if one can wear silver and gold together, I spied her wearing a piece of her own design -- a necklace with two separate chains in white and yellow gold held together by a stunning pendant. That should have answered my question. But of course, I had to ask. Her answer? “These days, there are no rules when it comes to wearing jewelry. Wear what you like,” said Dee.

Mix and Match … Really
As with jewelry, accessories like shoes and bags have done away with being impeccably matched. It’s not uncommon to see style bloggers wearing black penny-loafers with an oak satchel, or nude pumps with a bright yellow bag that pops. And while your mother might cringe at the sight of you wearing black and brown together, nobody among your friends will give it a second thought.

The Freedom to Choose
Seasons come and go, skirt lengths rise and fall. So when you find yourself at a loss while dressing up, remember that there are no rules. And if you seriously want to withstand the fickleness of fashion, then exert a commitment to cultivating an eye for tasteful and thoughtful designs while developing your own personal style.

I often have clients who are looking for something new but are wary of a major change. I tell them there’s no need to go into panic mode. What many women don’t realize is that shifting their current style just slightly can really freshen up their look.

There are three main areas that I like to focus on when a client wants a style update: framing the face with bangs, decreasing overall length and adding shape from the inside out.

Bangs and face-framing layers can shake up your look, without sacrificing length or your basic style. It’s important to consult with your stylist about different layering techniques or the many options of bangs that will suit your face shape and your maintenance requirements.

If your face is round, ask for a long, layered bang that hits just below your eyebrows and grazes your cheekbones on both sides. Square faces look softer with a sweeping bang that flows seamlessly into layers around the face and can be worn with or without a part. A bold, blunt bang will balance the proportions of a long face, draw attention to your eyes and define your cheekbones. If your face is oval, lucky you: All these looks will work.

If you’re struggling with styling your own hair at home, it’s probably time to consider a trim. Many times, women hold on to their length even when hair has become thin and dry on the ends. Bringing up length even a couple of inches can add body and shine, and make your hair look healthy and thicker.

Feeling blah but don’t want to give up any length? Layers could be your answer. These don’t have to be short or choppy to add dimension to long hair that’s become a yawn. Just a few long layers will loosen up the texture and allow your hair to move, swing and flow effortlessly. An added bonus: You’ll be able to achieve a polished look even if you let your hair air-dry.

When Taylor Swift showed off her smashing new fringe at the AMAs in November, the beauty blogosphere was abuzz -- and hair salons were caught in a frenzy. Looking adorably doll-like with her porcelain features and fluttery lashes, Swift was a vision to desire in every girl’s heart.

The good news: There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to sporting face-framing wisps. Even without award-show stylists, we mere mortals can find the right fringe that can go from day to night, coffee to cocktails, or bistro to gala.

Full Bangs

Best seen: At parties, of course! Straight, full bangs complement heart- and oval-shaped faces. They look even more fascinating with Bardot eyes. So, pile on the liquid eyeliner and mascara.

Styling 101: Straight, choppy bangs like Swift’s are surprisingly easy to style. You only need three minutes and a little sculpting paste or putty to lift roots and tame wayward wisps. When you need to look more polished, simply sweep and pin them away from the face using hair gel. (It’s best to do this while strands are damp.)

The Side-sweep

Best seen: On everyone! Side-swept hair is universally flattering for most face shapes and is the most versatile in the styling department. Try Rachel McAdams’ sexy tousled look for a night out, or get inspired by couture and go straight-and-sleek. For a more playful twist, insert a little braid slanting in the same direction as the bangs.

Styling 101: For a full-body look, you’ll need big rollers. For an at-home styling session, work in volumizing mousse all over strands and blow-dry as usual, using a brush to gently coax hair to the side.

Asymmetrical Fringe

Best seen: With the right hair color! The asymmetrical fringe is possibly the most daring, stylish, and difficult look to maintain. “The thing that makes any haircut look amazing is the person wearing it!” says Matt Mack, creative director of The Belfry in Kuala Lumpur.

Styling 101: If you’re going asymmetrical, do not underestimate the importance of hair color. Go for vibrant highlights and a base color that accentuates the edginess of the cut. You may need more frequent touch-ups for this style, and may need extra minutes to achieve the same avant-garde effect daily. In the event you grow tired of the look, you can always let your hair grow out and try on a different fringe.

There’s low maintenance, and then there’s no maintenance. While a mass of perfectly styled curls might look great first thing in the morning, there’s no telling what your hair will look like after two or three stressful meetings after lunch. When you’ve got a long day ahead of you, go for styles that promise to stay put.

The French Braid
A timeless hairdo, the French braid is a great way to look casual but still put-together at the same time. It does take an extra 10-15 minutes of preparation in the morning, but it’ll save you from frantic touch-ups during lunch hour. The key to making this hairstyle look more contemporary is to finger-comb the sections before securing them into place in a braid; that way, the final outcome will be less uptight and more casual-chic. Spritz your braid with hairspray to keep stray hairs at bay.

The Classy Chignon
Again, the French have such a way with hair. That’s probably why Parisians look undeniably chic at all times. The chignon, a runway favorite, is basically a low bun knotted at the nape. It’s as low-maintenance as you can get, and it goes with a variety of looks. Wear it with a power suit, a sundress, or a cardigan and jeans. The way to make a chignon last from coffee to cocktails is to use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner before you start, and to follow with a smoothing leave-in treatment. Invisible hairpins and elastics are essential in making this hairdo appear seamless.

The Curly Ponytail
Looking for a no-maintenance style that doesn’t look boring? Go for a ponytail with light curls for texture. It’s more flirtatious than a straight-up tieback, without the fuss that usually goes into making waves look good all day. Finger-comb damp hair with a dollop of mousse and blow-dry. Next, curl the ends of your tresses with a curling iron. Run your fingers through the waves to keep them slightly messy and sexy (you don’t want to look like you’re headed to the prom) and secure with an elastic band.