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

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

spring/summer 2012 trend: prints...

this spring & summer season has really brought a lot of different options for individuals...bold color is in...but so are pastels...i like when there are choices...

as in the hot trend of prints...and it is not one particular print...just pick your poison...

do you like florals? go at it...perhaps in a flowing floral maxi dress...or cardigan...

florals aren't your thing? how about a tribal print? or possibly a graphic print?

the thing to remember - don't get scared off by big bold prints...if that isn't your thing...or perhaps you love it...but know that it won't quite work with your body type...there are always different ways of bringing items into your wardrobe...if it be something you really want...

for example...i am loving the printed pants...as in the capri pants below...but as much as i would love to buy these...they don't work for me...but it is inspiring me to get something in a cool polka dot print...perhaps in a fun summer scarf?

cafe capri in pop art polka dot
j crew

are you a prints lover? if so...how are you planning to incorporate it into your spring/summer wardrobe?

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

put together: polka dots & leopard print...

saw this photo on elle.com this morning...nothing better then polka dots & leopard print...throw in a touch of red...and i say...very put put together...

photo source: elle.com
photo credit: adam katz sinding/le 21ème arrondissement

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...