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

put together: in a mash-up sort of way...

as i had mentioned last month...one of the big fall trends is a "texture mash-up"...basically a blend of textures and patterns in one single outfit...here is a wonderful example of just that...the caption reads:

"fall is all about mixing textures and patterns in a single outfit - plaids, stripes, tweeds, you name it.  you won't look like you dressed in the dark if you find one similar tone, like the orange in the pants and scarf, to tie it together"

looks so put together for a nice fall day...what do you think?  is it something you would try?

scanned by moi...
unsure of which magazine i pulled from...

fall 2012 trend: texture mash-up

one of the trends for this fall...

mixture of textures...

ingredients needed:  a mixture of...

knits, leather, silk, lace & tweed...

especially when wearing one color...

like black...

so go ahead...mix that tweed with leather...

add in a sexy silk blouse...

what textures are you most looking

forward to mixing?  

share your winning combination...

texture mash-up by fabufinds featuring a black jacket

you had me at hello: mixing up the room...

it probably comes as no surprise to my long time readers about my love for patterns...and more importantly...the mixing of patterns...i mix patterns in my outfits...i mix different sets of dinner plates...i mix my furniture...vintage with a touch of modern...

and then...i saw these...in the july issue of vogue...arranged at the metropolitan museum of art's costume institute gala...called a world of whimsy...the chairs are all arranged in an eclectic range of prada's most recognizable prints...be still my beating heart...

have you ever seen a prettier mix of patterns?  i will have to keep this one in the archives...wouldn't it be a fun fun project?  although i wouldn't be able to use "prada's" most recognizable prints...i could surely use my favorite prints...right?

scanned by moi

put together: a little color & a dash of patterns...

every once in a while...i see an ad that just makes me happy...what would be in such an ad?  a little bit of color...and a little bit of mixing patterns...how fun & fabulous is this outfit...put together brilliantly for trina turk...les sigh...

scanned by moi

put together: simple tribal mixture

how fabulous does tory burch look while globe-trotting on her southeast asian vacation?  while tribal prints are fairly easy to find these days...i am loving the mixture of patterns & colors...why wear boring khaki shorts & a tee...when you can be fashion forward & chic...

scanned by moi
harper's bazaar june/july issue

creating a look book...

let's face it..how can one remember all the fabulous outfits that we have thought of putting together...or put together...and then forgot how fabulous we felt...looked...and got complimented on?

one of the services that i offer my clients...once we have gone through the closets...poured over each item...decided on what works...and what doesn't...and what might...with a few tweaks...done the shopping...and created outfits...is to present them with their very own look book...

but if you don't have a stylist...for whatever reasons...you too can create your very own look book...what will one need? a digital camera...a beautiful photo album...and time...

a digital camera just makes it easy...you can look through the pictures as you are taking them to make sure that the items are coming out clear...

a beautiful photo album...treat yourself...make it personal...whether you buy an actual photo album or use a binder...personalize it and make it your own...

and time...you need to get into the mindset of looking at your items of clothing and creatively thinking outside the box...items can easily be mixed and matched to create wonderful new outfits...

and this is key...you photograph the whole outfit...meaning...clothes...shoes & accessories...

once your look book is done...i guarantee you will save yourself standing in front of the closet wondering what to wear...instead...you can quickly flip through your look book and get re-inspired from outfits you may have forgotten about...

make it fun...spend a weekend afternoon trying on and mixing and matching clothes...and take photographs of yourself in each one...put together tons and tons of outfits from casual to workday to evening...

and if this seems overwhelming to try on your own...invite over a stylish friend...or better yet...hire a stylist to come on in your closet...and give your clothing new life...

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...

mixing patterns in same color palette...

yes...i'm still perusing through my september issues...les sigh...and yesterday i got through the last of them...and my eyes ventured onto marie claire with this fabulous display of mixing patterns...same color palette...

ok...i know this is not for everyone...but the fun thing about is...is you can choose to what degrees you mix patterns...you can be bold...or take baby steps...

this got my brain churning as to new ways i could mix patterns...and actually produced my outfit for today...which i have no time to take a pic of for this post...so wait till tomorrow!

until then...do these pics inspire you? or may you run the other way?






photos scanned by moi: marie claire ~ september issue

one blouse...three ways...

one thing i really try and teach my clients...is to look at their pieces in the closet...individually...and then create at least three different outfits...this is sometimes easier with some pieces...and harder with others...but with practice...it becomes a natural way to look at your wardrobe...

so many of my readers have been asking for more examples...as in pictures...so i went back to my binder...and found this great example...using one blouse...a weekend look...to the office...and then a fabulous evening look...

it doesn't necessarily always need to be to different functions...meaning casual versus dressy...sometimes...it is about creating three different casual outfits out of one piece...

but another thing to notice...in the following pics...i pulled these from lucky magazine september issue 2009...2 years ago...and yet...these looks can still work today...which is the other rule i like to follow...when you buy classic and good pieces...they will definately last you several seasons...and years...






photos scanned by moi - lucky mag september 09 issue

versatility...

...the ability to take a garment in your wardrobe...mix and match with a variety of wardrobe fundamentals...this then equals...value...and by mixing and matching a variety of wardrobe fundamentals...it doesn't mean you can use it to dry the dog and polish the silverware...but you may be able to wear a piece to the office and then on to a blind date that nite with just a change of jewelry and/or shoes...

always look for colors that fit into the basic palette of your wardrobe...look for classic design and style that is consistent with your own...look for fabrics that are seasonless...tropical wools and medium weight cottons...for example...seasonal fabrics...like linen or velvet...may be well worth the investment...but they won't necessarily be appropriate year round...

it almost becomes like a game...how many outfits can you prepare out of one piece of garment...try for a casual...then a work appropriate...and then an evening look...the more you do it...the easier it becomes...and then you really start maximizing your purchases...

photo source