Pattern Mixing In The Rain
March On…
What’s that old expression about March, “in like a lion, out like a lamb?” The month has definitely lived up to the “lion” part so far. I have a few Spring outfits I want to photograph and share, but it’s been either too rainy, windy, cold, or all three on most days for the last couple of weeks.
Umbrella (similar) | Earrings | Scarf (similar) | Jacket | Bracelet | Tee (c/o) | Pants | Shoes
The stripe tee is the Ahoy Tee from cabi (gifted) and I really like it, both for the v-neckline and the soft drapey fabric. You’ll be seeing more of this one! It runs a little large, IMO, so I sized down to the XXS.
Pattern mixing usually isn’t my forté, but this mix was a happy accident. I threw the scarf on at the last minute as I was headed out the door to meet my photographer, and ran into an unexpected downpour on the way. Fortunately, I’d stashed this old leopard print umbrella in the car a few days before.
The scarf was from Comptoir des Cotonniers in Paris. If you’ll be visiting France, it’s a brand/chain I recommend for cute and reasonably-priced basics (usually) in natural fibers. This one’s a cotton/modal blend (I think…removed the tag a while ago), so a nice lightweight option I’ll be able to wear well into Spring here.
This was one of the jewelry “bundles” (along with the earrings) I put together a few weeks ago. The slim bangle is a few years old from Alexis Bittar (similar) and the beaded bracelet is from COS, spotted during my shopping expedition with Brenda Kinsel a few weeks ago.
While I’m grateful for the rain, I’m also looking forward to a few warmer, sunnier days later this week.
Any patterns you like to mix?
Photos by Tannaz Telikany.
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Funny, I just loved the happy accident of the leopard umbrella. Also, I am trying to learn how to mix and this gave me a great idea because I already have all the garments. Happily I have gotten away from same color shoes and bags, but mixing prints is still a big challenge. I’m pinning this one. You have helped me out here. Thanks.
Pattern mixing is not my forte’ either! I know scale is important when mixing but I’m still not sure if I could pull it off. Old dogs learning new tricks? But you look adorable! Good job!
Nice outfit! I wonder if you could do a post on how many clothes you need in a good wardrobe. There is so much talk about the Ten Item Wardrobe and tidying your clothes. An sample would be how many and types of shoes you need. Also, I would be interested in budgeting for clothing, how much it’s reasonable to expect to spend in a year or month. Thanks!
I do like the mix of stripes and florals!
I have always loved to mix patterns. I agree with Kathryn that florals and stripes are always a nice combination. And leopard and other animal prints are pretty close to a neutral in my (figurative) book so can be used with relative abandon. I generally try to limit colors to no more than three, with one being an accent color, and the complementing patterns should be of a different scale (e.g., thin stripe with large floral). Black & white or navy & white or black & tan are always pretty foolproof. A great accent color (red, turquoise, etc.) – either in one of the prints or through accessories – helps pull the look together. And a great scarf with all the colors and few extras is never a mistake either. When I was younger I would buy outfits by designers who regularly mixed patterns and have learned to trust myself to replicate what they did.
Can’t share links here, but Stitch Fix has a nice little tutorial, “How to Mix Prints & Patterns.”
Another vote for florals with stripes!
Leopard is a neutral, isn’t it? Goes with everything!
Love this – and did I miss the post about the (new?) jacket – I know you had been looking for a utility jacket, and I love this one! Looks so comfortable and flattering.
Hi Kristi, thanks, and no you didn’t miss it. I’ll be featuring this one in another outfit post (with more details) soon!
I know we’ve been in a drought and we need rain, but I am now just plain tired of it.
Where were you photographed? I live in Culver City but I don’t recognize it? It’s beautiful.
Hi Roseanna, this was photographed on and around Abbott Kinney in Venice.
Thanks, I will make a point of getting over there Again. It’s been a while.
I’m not really a stripes or floral girl (on me. On others they’re fab.) but I got a pair of camo jeans last fall and I LOVE to wear them with my leopard sneakers or leopard sweater.
I know you are sick of the rain, but after last year it is a blessing. I have a cousin in the far northern Californian regions affected – fortunately not his family – and it was extremely worrying. And I find that picture so lush with the lovely green plants in the rain.
You look great! Really like your vibe.
Yes! Love to mix patterns. Today I was able to put a two-tone gray leopard print scarf on a navy with pink dots top and then topped it with a medium blue tweed-like pattern sweater. I enjoy it even more when it happens on the fly! Are those sneakers comfortable? I have several pairs of the cotton lace-up sneakers that have become popular but I find they compress the top of one foot so that by the afternoon the pressure is almost unbearable and I need to severely loosen the lacings. I am looking for something comfortable and breathable for the warmer months. Your outfit is so fun! Love it!
I was led to this post from the Cabi blog. Nice job on the outfit, but the reason I bookmarked your site is b/c I really love your fashion quotes and the sensibility they represent!
Hi Paula, welcome and thanks!