What’s the best way to brighten up a dreary winter day? Well, in fashion, the perfect antidote to the cold-weather doldrums is a quirky pattern. If you’re feeling unmotivated, seeing a cute, fun, colorful pattern peeking out of your closet may just give you that inner smile and confidence that will help you succeed.
The alice + olivia pre-fall 2016 line featured a plethora of adorable patterns styled in a ‘70s-inspired fashion. Simple outfits in earthy colors, such as oranges and mustard yellows, were spiced up with printed blouses and jackets and embroidered jeans and boots. The looks were rather demure and innocent with Peter Pan collars, beanies and turtlenecks galore, but they showed skin tastefully; for example, several outfits featured flared mini skirts with thigh-high boots. I really loved the balance of whimsy and maturity and the retro vibe of this line.
I based my outfit on a silky, printed jacket from Forever 21 to channel the prints of the alice + olivia line. I love the fall colors of deep blues and burnt oranges that make up the pattern on this piece, which features birds and flowers. Underneath, I wore a maroon, short-sleeved, slightly cropped turtleneck, both because the alice + olivia line featured a ton of turtlenecks and because I just love when my neck is warm. I wore a pair of ‘70s-inspired Madewell skinny jeans that have sailor pockets in the front. I finished the look with my Chelsea boots, which I wear nearly every day, because they were simple and didn’t distract from the printed jacket. The alice + olivia collection featured tons of cute beanies, so I chose one from Free People to keep my head warm. Then, I added a Fossil watch for some sophistication and a stone necklace for a bohemian touch. Gold rings and bracelets added more interest and went with the warm colors of the look.
This look is incredibly versatile. Wear it under a heavy jacket for a blustery day, or replace the jeans with a skirt in the spring. Quirky prints are fun and, when styled correctly, can work for nearly every occasion.
Get My Look: 1. Printed jacket. 2. Turtleneck. 3. Beanie.
