Zig-Zag Stripes: Friend Or Foe?

Horizontal stripes are not my friend. It’s true. I’ve had this firm belief since I was a teenager and have tried to steer clear of them at all costs.

It’s not that I don’t like stripes, I do- but different styles flatter different body types… and my body type has just never been flattered by stripes.

Not too long ago, I did try out thick-horizontal-striped shirt from the Kardashian collection, and besides the fact that it faded immediately after one wash, it only reconfirmed my “horizontal stripes are not my friend” theory  (as well as my “Kardashians are not wearing Sears” theory).

However, Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of zig zag stripes (ala Missoni) –

I was curious to see if my horizontal stripe rule applied with this pattern.

I found this Bella D. dress at TJ Maxx for $24.99,  and as it turns out- zig zag stripes?  They kind of work! Who knew?

I love this dress! I also love the vertical black and white zig-zag dress in the collage.

What do you think about Zig-zags? Do you have any hard and fast rules on patterns and styles that you consider to be a total no-no for you?