Aug 6, 2014

Mix-and-Match



Post from fashion contributor, Cami!

Ok – so I am a big fan of mixing prints in my outfits.   I think mixing prints is a great way to show your fashionista prowess and introduces an extra element of fun and whimsy to your ensem.  HOWEVER, when done incorrectly, mixing prints just looks tacky.  With that in mind, let’s get started:



When you are mixing patterns within the same color family, or that contain hints of the same color, you can usually get away with more. 

You will notice that not all of the prints are bold; it is usually better to stick with 1 or 2 bold prints paired with a more subtle print.

Striped sweater: Gap, plaid shirt and polka dot jeans: Old Navy, Yellow flats: Urban Outfitters









When you are mixing patterns, it is good to treat one as a “neutral”

The plaid shirt (Old Navy) in this outfit serves and the main pattern, the herringbone cardigan (Madewell) serves as the “neutral”.   The coloring of the cardigan makes the herringbone pattern very subtle, so the patterns don’t clash and are not overbearing.












Treating a pattern as a neutral also works well when you are mixing patterns from completely different color families. 

The polka-dot printed chambray top (Old Navy) in this outfit serves as the neutral in the same way as the herringbone cardigan; the coloring of the pattern is similar, and the print is very small, so it is not overwhelming.  This subtle print pairs well with the bold print of the skirt (ASOS); it allows the attention to be given to the skirt in a more exciting way than just pairing the skirt with a plain top.









Throw in some animal print.

Alright kids...if you mastered the first 3 steps, you’re now ready for the big time. 
This top is mixed-print already (J. Crew), and I paired it with a subtly-printed polka dot skirt (Anthropologie).  However, to bump up the fun factor, I wore an animal-print skinny belt (Gap). 


1 comment:

Shambray said...

Thank you! Is there a time frame I need to get everything done?

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