Happy Monday Friends! It’s finally chilly here in Texas. I still have some pre-cold style posts to share with y’all, and this is one of my favorites for so many reasons! First of all, I got the polka dot top and striped pants at the Reformation opening in Dallas. (I’ll tell you a little more about the brand below.) Second, I got the best compliment while I had this outfit on…
// Photography by Angie Garcia //
A gal told me that I reminded her of Iris Apfel when I came out of the dressing room in this outfit. #GOALS She is one of my favorite style icons at age 96!! She dresses to beat of her own drum and is so unique and quirky. She truly lives the motto of “More is more, and less is a bore”! Anyhow, that basically sold me the outfit! LOL!
Third, this is a perfect lesson in pattern mixing! It can make quite a statement, and I promise you it’s simple. I always talk about easy dressing by wearing all of one color. (Top-to-toe black or white is always chic.) This is a little different, but basically the same.
- Pair two different patterns with the same color family (such as black and white above).
- Leopard and stripes are considered a neutral. You can even put those together!
- You can cheat by pairing two of the same pattern (ex. floral on floral) by the following:
- Make sure there is a common color OR
- There can be a play on sizes (small stripes and wide stripes) OR
- Vary the direction (horizontal stripes and verticle stripes)
By the way, this outfit would be easy to winterize by wearing a thin black turtleneck under the top and topping with a thick wool coat (classic look) or bomber jacket (trendy look).
I always love sharing fabulous brands with y’all, so here’s a quick blurb about Reformation! I discovered them 2-3 years ago while at NYFW. They are a super cool eco-friendly brand that uses sustainable practices for their clothing manufacturing (either in LA or manufacturing partners that use that type of practice). When you look at their website, those models look a little too cool (and young) for me!
However, I LOVE what they stand for and I can choose which items will work for my body and lifestyle. For example, I sized up on the top so I could pin it for a more modest coverage. Otherwise, my normal size top would have been too low cut. In fact, the description states “not bra friendly”! So, despite the description, I was able to work around that because I ASSURE you that I’m wearing a bra! LOL! Not everything is so sexy and daring. This wrap dress that I wore here was perfect, and I didn’t even have to pin it.
If you’re a pro at pattern mixing, then share your tricks! And have you heard of Reformation?
Hope y’all had a great weekend! We went to the Air Show, and Little M is now obsessed with airplanes! It’s so cute. We also had some MAJOR meltdowns this weekend, and he missed soccer because of one. I mentioned the Love and Logic book, and my friend, Katherine, invited me to a 6-week session at her children’s school. It’s been very reassuring to hear other parents and their trials with little ones. I just feel like the worst mom when I lose my patience! Anyhow, I’m off to memorize some of their “neutralizing” words! Wish me luck!
GET THE LOOK
opal top REFORMATION {similar for less}
sorrenti pants REFORMATION {sold out, similar}
earrings VINTAGE CHANEL {similar for less}
choker MAGGIE VILLAMARIA
bracelet HERMES {pre-owned}
ring VITA FEDE
sandals DOLCE VITA
kelly bag HERMES {pre-owned}
sunglasses LEITH {sold out, similar for luxe or less}
Love that top! Very smart to size up so you could wear it how you want. I did that with a cropped sweater recently so it would be a teeeeeny bit longer but still cropped and loose.
Such a perfect way to mix patterns! When I mix patterns a lot of the time its a piece that has already come pattern-mixed, like my Saint Laurent blouse. Ha ha. But I try to keep to the similar colors rule when I make my own mixes.
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Closet Fashionista recently posted…{recap} Wardrobe Update – October
Fantastic mix! Those trousers look so fantastic on you, very elegant and stylish!
I love the stripes and dots together!
I love this outfit Sam, it’s so perfect! I’ve yet to wear the polka dot tee I have with stripes but it’s definitely on my list to try! :)
Good luck with the tantrum thing with your son! My problem is trying not to laugh when it happens. I don’t know what it is about them, maybe it’s the complete transformation from a sweet little boy into a screaming banshee that catches me off guard and makes me giggle, it’s a tricky thing to navigate! I think the right language is so important – as I learned from the first big public tantrum we had the other week where all my attempts to resolve it just made it worse, I need to think more carefully about the words I use!
Mica recently posted…Black Dresses for the Office With a Twist and Colourful Accessories
The pair of polka dots and stripes look elegant.
[…] BTW, I share some tips on print/pattern-mixing in this post. […]