Friday, 22 September 2017

This is our lifelong motto

Meet the 2017 TODAY Style Heroes

TODAY Style celebrates the 40 people who've inspired us most this year. From fashion designers who challenge the status quo to athletes who fight cyberbullying to celebrities who aren't afraid to keep it real, these are the 40 heroes who remind us that fashion and beauty are forms of self-expression — and everyone is included.

There are only two "rules" we follow here at TODAY Style:

Fashion and beauty are forms of self-expression, so wear what YOU want.
Everyone is included.

There isn't one look, trend or style (or body shape, skin tone or religious affiliation, for that matter) — and how boring would it be if there were?

That's why we live by our motto #WearWhatYouWant and honor those who do just that. Our second annual TODAY Style Heroes list celebrates 40 fearless, bold and influential men and women who don't need permission to live out loud and be exactly who they are.

We're proud to celebrate these heroes and hope their stories encourage you to follow their lead and do the same.

As much as "wearing whatever the (heck you) want to wear" — as Style Hero Chrissy Metz puts it — is a worthy goal, it can often be difficult to enact in everyday life. Just look at all the controversies over dress codes in schools and workplaces (or ask Style Hero Nicola Thorp).

To find out what people really think about dress code rules and regulations, TODAY Style conducted an original survey — and the results are fascinating. One overwhelming trend? Dress codes are more confusing than ever.

While bullies, body-shamers and trolls are still out there, we hope these stories (and this list of kick-butt responses from Style Heroes, celebrities and other role models) will arm you next time someone throws hurtful words your way.

And, as always, we'll be staying true to our #WearWhatYouWant mission all year long on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

To all you Style Heroes out there I have yet to meet, I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Survey: Dress codes are way too confusing (especially if you have a teen girl)

TODAY polled nearly 17,000 people between the ages of 18 and 64 to get to the heart of what people really think about dress codes — in schools and beyond.

3 ways to break the fashion 'rules' and still feel confident

TODAY's Style Squad shows us how to break these fashion "rules" as part of Wear What You Want week.

14 celebrities on what they'd say to body-shamers, haters and trolls

Celebrities have to deal with body-shamers, bullies and trolls more then anybody. From Chrissy Metz to Allison Williams, here's what they'd want them to know.