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

choosing your stripes...

yes...stripes have been "in" for quite some time...and they will continue to be "in" this season...and for many seasons to come...why?  stripes are fun!  and therefore a good investment for years to come...

now choosing the color of stripes...in black and white it's classic...in navy and white it's nautical...in yellow and turquoise it's playful...red and black stripes...dramatic...but don't just stop with your tees...

...for a striped handbag as shown below is always ultra fabulous!

pacific heights sloan
kate spade

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

you had me at hello: tux & stripes...

ok really? how fabulous does this jacket look? a nice spin for a tuxedo jacket...AND with stripes...

as i was getting my mail today...i quickly flipped through my town & country magazine april issue...and as always...there is that one item that...has me at hello...and this issue...just happens to be this lovely...

of course...i'm dreaming big to have a giorgio armani jacket in my closet...but i like the idea of this...which means...i need to keep my eyes peeled while vintage shopping...i'm sure i can find something that will come close to this...right?

scanned by moi

you had me at hello: in a striped kind of way...

we have been having some incredible weather here in northern california...tomorrow is estimated to be a nice 65 degrees...while i'm all for warm weather...i'm missing out on wearing any of my winter clothes...all those wool tweeds...heavy sweaters...

even the magazines are boasting of warmer weather...such as this lovely..i'm almost thinking my obsession with stripes...is almost as big as my obsession for anything leopard print...it hasn't died down yet...stripes get my attention...

can you imagine wearing this lovely striped number in spring? it had me at hello from the first moment my eyes saw it...i'm thinking not only would it be lovely in spring...but lovely on me in spring...

giorgio armani
neiman marcus
scanned by moi - vogue - january issue

you had me at hello: dot love...

if someone were to ask me what appeals to me more...leopard or polka dots or stripes...i would have to say..."how can you choose?" if would be like asking me which cat i love more...although i have two beauties...both so different from the other...i just couldn't choose...

now...i know i know...we are comparing...in this case...handbags to cats...worse would be people...but i'm just trying to make a point...as much as i love leopard...stripes and polka dots are right on up there as well...

so...as i was perusing my december issue of vogue...i feasted my eyes on these beauties...well...the polka dots had me at hello...but look closer...these are polka dot hair calf...be still my beating heart...is this not a classic one needs in their arsenal? brahmin...redefining timeless style...i would say so...

tyler polka dot hair calf
scanned by moi

here is a smaller version...both are gorgeous...i'm liking the one that is a tad bit bigger...for some reason...

olivia rose polka dot hari calf
scanned by moi

bold in stripes...

yes...my obsession with stripes lives on...the thing is though...in the fashion world...and the stack of magazines ready for my perusing...are so beyond summer already...but with this fabulous weather...and only the start of summer...i had to go back...way back to april for some inspiration...

feasting my eyes on this burst of striped fabulousness...i have been looking for new ways to incorporate stripes into my life...besides the over abundance i seem to have in striped tops...and what caught my eye in these glorious pics...were the lovely stacked colorful bracelets...making their own striped effect...don't you just love? such a great way to add stripes and color to an outfit...

on a side note...those shoes in the first pic are calling out to me...striped shoes...i don't have those either...the striped opportunities are endless...

would you try this stacked colored bangle look?









all pics scanned by moi - april issue harper's bazaar
original photographs by: richard burbridge

stars and stripes...

when it comes to the 4th of july...and picking out an outfit...what do you do? do you go all out and look like a walking american flag? i believe it is one of those holidays...where...less is more...

so can how you look chic...and still be comfortable? here are some options...and i realize...that majority of my shots are stripes...obviously...i have a preference for them...but the idea is...add a little into your outfit...

it could be as simple as a striped hat...or a striped espadrille...perhaps a scarf with bright little red stars...the idea is simple...these tiny touches of stars & stripes added to a pair of white jeans or skirt...a simple tee...and truly you are set...

and if you are not a stars or stripes type of gal...the same can be done with touches of color...a jean summer dress with red sandals...or a red belt...add just enough punch for your 4th of july festivities...a white dress with a blue belt...getting the idea?

so what will you be donning this 4th of july weekend?

red white & blue by fabufinds featuring bally bags

you had me at hello: sequins & stripes...

stripes always catch my eye...to the point that i'm obsessed...to the point that when i'm shopping with girlfriends...and i pick up an item and say "isn't this cute"? to hear...oh what a surprise...stripes... =)

so i'm perusing the may issue of allure...and my heart skips a beat...so much so...that this top had me at hello...stripes AND sequins...les sigh...actually...i love the shorts as well...love the mixing of patterns as well...but those shorts would look good on me...well...in my dreams...that's about it...so i'm sticking to the top...don't you love?

sequined silk t-shirt and silk shorts by aquilano rimondi
scanned by moi

red white and blue...

in honor of 4th of july weekend...and the red white and blue...here are a few of my favorites...

ah...red..especially in a stylish shoe...even better in stiletto...



red white and blue...makes me think of nautical...makes me think of the american flag...makes me think of stars...



and stripes...
and nothing signifies stripes better then...breton...

photo credit

well...maybe stripes and chanel together say it better...oh wait...i digress...chanel does that to me...

photo credit

red white and blue...put together...makes a fabulous combination...

photo credit

wishing you a safe and fabulous 4th...

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...

men's corner: the art of mixing & matching...

pattern combining is an elusive science to some...and to others...it is pure art...
depending on how you look at it...there is really no scientific method for determining the perfect jacket, shirt, and tie combinations...

the following are a few guidelines to help steer you in the right direction...

if you are going to wear different patterns together...vary their sizes...
for example:
if your have a shirt with a fine pattern, you can go for a bolder-patterned tie
if your shirt is bold, go for a finer-patterned tie...
think of your basic ying and yang...

monochromatic always works...wearing a variety of shades from the same palette looks confident and expensive...think regis philbin...

a few rules to go by...
make sure everything you are wearing belongs in the same season...
for example:
a cashmere sweater looks smart under a wool sport coat...
a cotton oxford does well under a khaki blazer...
a thick wool sweater under a linen blazer...well...just looks odd...don't do it!

see pics below for inspiration...and as always...if you are needing some assistance...i can help!!

two patterns

3 patterns (could easily add a patterned pocket square to make 4 patterns) simply tre chic

monochromatic