Flash back seven or eight years and imagine being caught wearing plaid on stripes…fashion suicide. Now flash-forward to present time, a time where pattern mixing is not only accepted but encouraged. This trend is semi-new in the fashion world. The concept of pairing one pattern with another may seem a bit intimidating. While looking through Style.com, I came across the perfect show to help motivate those who want to give pattern mixing a try. The ace&jig spring 2015 ready-to-wear show is full of this new trend. You can see how effortlessly the models pull off pairing stripes with a tribal print. To give you a little more motivation, I put together my own Ace & Jig-inspired look.
It’s hard to change rules you once had for yourself. Trying to go from “I’d never be caught dead in plaid and stripes!” to “Which patterns should I try mixing today?” can be really scary. The key is to just go for it! I decided to go for a less dramatic pattern mix, stripes and polka-dots. I started off with a cute, polka-dot printed skater skirt. To keep my mixing at a “beginner” level I chose to stick with similar colors (blues and whites). I paired my skirt with a striped quarter length sleeved shirt. I loved the way the two patterns looked together, almost a farm-chic look. To visually break up the patterns a little bit, I added a simple, thin belt. Not to mention, a thin belt around the waist always helps you to appear skinnier! I didn’t want to complicate the look by adding a multicolored statement necklace, so I chose a cute pair of gold accent earrings and bangles.
Now it’s your turn! Go through your closet and find two patterns you like together and just go for it!
Get My Look: 1. Polka-dot skater skirt. 2. Striped shirt. 3. Thin belt. 4. Accent earrings. 5. Bangles.
