how to mix patterns...

one of the easiest & funnest ways to make your style unique...is by mixing patterns...i have seen some great combinations on the light side...as well as full on bold mixing of patterns...you pick what suits you best...if you've stocked up on some classic shapes in your wardrobe...and want to kick it up a notch or two...mixing of patterns may be just right for you...

when it comes to the art of mixing patterns...whether it be like patterns...such as stripes with stripes...or going bolder...for example...as different as florals and stripes...here are some steps to help you in navigating...

 - any pattern can be mixed...plaids...polka dots...florals...stripes...houndstooth...although when it comes to animal print...it gets a little hazy when you start adding too much of it...the rule for me myself...is one animal print per outfit...

 - there should be one unifying color palette within the prints...

 - when mixing the same type of print...for example...houndstooth with houndstooth...or floral with floral...they should be drastically different in scales...

 - have a solid piece somewhere in your outfit...a t-shirt...shoes...jeans...this will help anchor the mixed prints...

have fun with it...for ideas...i highly suggest taking a peak at magazines...or if you are on pinterest...you can get some great ideas for mixing of patterns...and feel free to follow my board "style:  mixing patterns" for inspiration...

photo source

floral prints for spring...

have you noticed all the lovely floral prints out for spring?  something for everyone...whether you choose to go big or go small...this spring...there are lots of items to choose from...

if you are not a big floral enthusiast...but want to bring a little into your wardrobe...the best way to do that is through your accessories...try finding a fun colorful floral scarf...whether you go with bright colors...or pastels...either choice is a great way to infuse not only pattern...but a little bit of color into your wardrobe...

liberty floral scarf
j crew

how about bringing in a nice floral print in your summer flats...or wedges?  lots of fun floral prints...and they can kick up any outfit...whether you are in your jeans...shorts...or a fun summer dress...

alice + olivia hudson flat
nordstrom

a fun summer skirt...in a lovely floral...how can it not make you smile?  i did an extra squeal when i saw that this was a leather skirt...yeah...nice touch!

leather skirt in hibiscus floral
j crew

dresses...easy breezy...and scream summer summer summer...especially when florals are added into the mix...

msgm mixed print silk dress
nordstrom

or go a little wild...and add a nice floral print in your jeans...i've seen some big bold floral prints on pants as well...i myself...would probably stick to the more tamer florals...on my jeans...

collection june's meadow floral capri
j crew

how are you planning to incorporate a little flower burst in your wardrobe? 

you had me at hello: floral splendor...

this morning when i opened up an email with the latest from oscar de la renta...i felt an immediate calm...how beautiful is this dress?  maybe the fact that it is green?  or floral?  not sure...but it definitely "had me at hello"...

after seeing so much in fashion with a much harder look...think leather, studs etc...it is so refreshing to see something that is just plain feminine...garden party anyone?

photo source

printed jeans...

while fancy pants have been "in" for a while...i have to say...i love that this whole idea is transforming into the jeans as well...as j crew's description of their toothpick jeans states..."no offense to indigo...but we're absolutely obsessed with our new printed jean..." 

as they should be...what a fun way to wear jeans...whether you go for geometric...stripes...polka dots or floral...what a fun way to show your own personal style...

toothpick jean in geometric print
j crew

toothpick jean in polka dot
j crew

toothpick jean in emma and georgina floral
j crew

toothpick jean in stripe
j crew

flower explosion...

almost anywhere you look...you will see an abundance of floral prints...the question to ask yourself...is how much floral do you want in your wardrobe...as with any trend...you can do as little or as much as you are comfortable with...

some of my clients are loving the floral prints...but when they see some of my posts...for example this one on "picking your poison in printed pants"...they get a little nervous...or think..."i can't pull that off"  and therefore...stepping away from the floral print explosion...truth be told...as much as i love those printed pants...i can't pull them off myself...but it won't stop me from pulling in florals in other ways...

so...here are some examples...especially for you minimalists out there...how about a gorgeous floral scarf?  work this in over your plain t-shirt & jeans...for a fun weekend look...add a blazer...for a casual business day...you get the idea...no?

j crew printed summer scarf

how about a solid-colored dress with one or two discreet flowers adorning it?  you might even look for a dress that has a floral border by the hem...or skirt...

how about a floral print in a wedge?  or clutch?  floral blouses...oh the choices are in abundance...

keep in mind...floral prints can be all out bright...or more simple in a neutral palette like cafe au lait or white...the key is...you choose...you take control of how much or how little...so whether you mix it all up...and wear it from head to toe...or add a tiny touch of it...the question remains...how will you bloom?

spring/summer trends 2012 currently in...

fabulous finds consignment boutique

as i've been sharing all the spring summer trends for this year...i thought i would show examples from the consignment boutique...over 850 items...nope...that wasn't a typo...lots to choose from...in every color, shape and size...if you haven't peaked lately...you are missing out!  

so to recap...some of the spring/summer 2012 trends...

patterned pants

graphic print

bright colors

pastels

neon

color blocking

florals

colored jeans

wedges/espadrilles

going for the print...

as i was doing a little shopping with my niece today...i couldn't help noticing all the lovely prints that are currently out...while the floral prints are pretty noticeable...and available in dresses...tops...and pants...don't limit yourself to that...

such a fun way to express yourself in prints...why not step out of the box and try something new?  perhaps a  beautiful bird print or butterflies...both to surely showcase some lovely colors...but again...a step away from the florals...

perhaps you want to flaunt your inner foodie...you can indulge that side of you...and find something in zucchini, chili pepper or sunflower prints... 

as you can see in the examples below...when it comes to prints...your options are endless...

java tunic dress
j crew

this anchors dress made me smile...what a fun way to show your nautical side...

dizzy anchors dress
j crew

where does your fun lie?  and what print would best express it?

leopard & floral...

i've kind of been on a mixing of patterns kick...inspired by so many gorgeous editorials...i've posted some along the way...for me...it is a great way to "funk" up an outfit...and really make it unique...

so...of course...the best place to start is always always always in your own closet...i truly believe...as in decorating...when you buy pieces you love...they will work together...

so...i started with this cotton shirt that i haven't worn in forever...truth be told...i hadn't worn it for a while...cause i had gotten a little bored with it...as i write that...i'm thinking...me...get bored with leopard? say it isn't so...

...uh yeah...that'll never happen...i was just bored with the shirt worn as a basic shirt...



so i ventured into my closet...and knew i needed something to keep me warm...as the nippy fall air has arrived...perused my blazers...but nothing was jumping out at me...and then i saw it...my floral sweater...how perfect!



and while i know this for some is a little out there...but for me...just a perfect combo of mixing patterns...and here is the end result...



is this something you would try? let us know your perfect combination of pattern & color...

patterns patterns patterns...

patterns can speak volumes...they can be bold or demure, sublime or ridiculous...

they can even convey different interpretation of the law...

narrow stipes? banker...
broader pinstripes? gangster...
broad stripes? convict...

they can camouflage (the soldier's fatigues) or announce (the tourist's hawaiian shirt)...there are "no-pattern" patterns, like the subtle striping on a shirt or the small arrows of a herringbone tweed, which add texture to a garment...bold patterns, often found on bathing suits, can diminish or accentuate lines of the body...larger patterns will tend to make you look larger; smaller ones do the opposite...vertical lines elongate; horizontal bars widen and shorten...

they can be used to distract - a patterned scarf around the neck draws the eye to the face...

but they can also call attention to flaws we might rather hide...so use patterns as you use color: as an accessory...your mistakes will be less expensive...and your triumphs? fabulous...of course...

"some people were born to push the envelope of fashion and some to lick it..." ~ duff, mtv vj

pattern types:

floral - subtle in a scarf, or wildly feminine when done up big on spring and summer dresses...

animal prints - they're wild by their nature...but we've seen so many stylish people wearing them (particularly leopard) over the decades - that they have become classics...



plaid - because distinct plaids were associated with various scottish clans, wearing them became a dangerous political statement and was once prohibited by british law...now they deorate everything from umbrellas to dog collars...



stripes - horizontal, they seem nautical...vertical, they are more businesslike...while they can look fresh or refined...be careful not to cover yourself in them...stripes are tiring to the eye...



polka dots - comical when large, demure when tiny...they are best used sparingly - on silk scarves for example...as they can attract a lot of attention...