What is the proper, standard way to handle CSS floats

Question

I have always thought that the correct way to handle CSS floats was to use either a clear div, :after pseudo class, or overflow: auto on the parent. As I understand it clear is designed to clear floats and expand the parent element back to normal. That is it's purpose, yes?

Today I found heard of an alternate method of handling the float (and parent collapse): floating the parent as well to make it expand around the floated child.

How does this align with web standards? Is there even an official float/clear standard?

Answer 1

There is no particular standard here. Use whatever works in the situation.

Adding in extra HTML elements just to clear the float is frowned upon, but can occasionally be useful.

I personally like the prefer to use the Float Nearly Everything style of floating the parent, but it doesn't fit every situation.