Pattern Mixing: Stripes! Stripes!

131 Replies

You guys can relax, I didn’t wake up blind this morning – I meant to dress like this. It’s trendy, y’all. In fact, SO trendy that it’s Marion’s TREND OF THE MONTH Challenge at Marionberry Style.

It’s funny because sometimes I feel like the “blogger” world and the “real world” are in two different fashion places at once.

For example, I feel like everyone and their second-cousin-once-removed has a bubble necklace and knows where to get a cheap version.

But then I realize that 90% of my friends and family that read my blog aren’t reading a ton of fashion and style blogs every day and are inundated with bubble necklaces.

Oh, and for my friends and family who read this blog and don’t know where to get a cheap bubble necklace, you can find them here: these are all $12 with free shipping.

But I digress.

Today’s Topic at Hand: PATTERN MIXING. Well, more specifically, stripe mixing.

I haven’t always been the biggest proponent of pattern mixing. I tried it once, and I liked it alright… but I haven’t done much of it since.

Well, I guess I’ve been more weary of it, but then I realized, #YOLO, and so, I tried mixing patterns today. Plus, I’m always up for a challenge.

Here’s what I’ve learned about pattern mixing:

1. Be confident. Above all, no matter WHAT you’re wearing or what patterns you’re mixing, be confident. Confidence will make ANYONE want to wear what you’re wearing… or at least will make anyone think what you’re wearing looks awesome.

(Remember this, Mean Girls fans?)
2. Stick to similar / like colors. Although I’m no expert at pattern mixing, I do know that like colors go well together. So, in my look, I paired the blue, white, and orange striped skirt with a blue and white striped blazer. Different stripes, yes. Similar colors, yes. Matchy matchy, no.

3. Include a complimentary “Confidence Piece”. Okay, this goes back to #1… but by wearing or including a complimentary confidence piece in the whole look, you’ll instantly feel better about mixing those patterns! What do I mean by complimentary confidence piece? I mean that necklace you LOVE or those shoes you ADORE – that COMPLIMENTS the outfit. We all have those pieces in our closet that make us feel awesome… so, pick one of those pieces that goes with the outfit. For example, my confidence piece(s) in this look are my wedges and my bubble necklace. I LOVE these wedges and I LOVE my bubble necklaces… so I instantly felt better rocking them.

4. Include a “take away” piece. So, pattern mixing might not be “all the rage” in your office. Or maybe you’re going to be in a big meeting or attending an event and “trends” aren’t the norm. WELL, including a take away piece can make the outfit more versatile. For me? My take away piece was my blazer. I can throw on the blazer when I’m out or feeling snazzy, but if I’m at work or in a meeting and I don’t want to be as daring, I can take the blazer off and I still have an appropriate outfit on underneath. Maybe your take away piece is a scarf, or a belt, or something like that. Or maybe it’s a “put on” piece.

SO, what do YOU think? Are you a fan of the pattern mixing? Have you tried it? What tips would YOU suggest to someone who’s new to pattern mixing?

Oh, and the BEST quote I’ve read this year:

“2012 is going to be the year of the fashion trends we all look back on 10 years from now and say, “WE WORE THAT?!”

Get the look, yo!

(can you tell I shop at Target a lot?)

Linking up today with the fabulous ladies at The Pleated Poppy, Rolled Up Pretty, Marionberry Style, Sailor Spy and Transatlantic Blonde.


“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

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131 thoughts on “Pattern Mixing: Stripes! Stripes!”

  1. Miss Rockwell

    What an awesome post, very informative. I’m all about that skirt right now-it finally went on clearance so I grabbed it up. And of course the necklace is awesome-I have the yellow one and though it’s heavenly I find it a bit hard to style so I’m gonna purchase a more neutral one, like the teal one. Thanks for that link too, that’s a great price. One more thing, your tip about having a take away piece is the best-so very true on all levels!!

    YOU ROCKED THESE STRIPES!!!

    http://thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com
    Miss Rockwell recently posted..Trendy Tuesday: Militant ChicMy Profile

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  2. Mary

    I love this blazer! So cute! And I love that you mixed different stripes. You look adorable. :)

    -Mary @ stylethatmoves.blogspot.com

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  11. Tara

    I was a bit weary of pattern mixing. I feel like those in the real world might think it’s weird. I did it though. You can also find cheap bubble necklaces from etsy sellers. I have a giveaway going on on my blog for one right now.

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    1. Molly Stillman Post author

      yeah, i just wasn’t totally sold on it – i don’t know if i am sold on it all the way, but it sure is fun to switch things up. thanks for the tip on the necklaces, girl!

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  13. Ada Furxhi

    A Gorgeous & bright outfit. Love the stripes on stripes. Awesome blazer & skirt. I am forever in love with those J.Crew Necklaces, also.

    I grabbed your button & added it to my page. I have read every single blog of yours (with the exception of the last two months) and I loved what I read. I especially enjoyed the earlier blogs where you wrote a lot about your life, comedy, your jobs, trip to Kenya, etc. etc. You had some awesome advise there and let me tell you girl YOUR MOM WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD of the Young Woman you have become!! I mean that with all my heart. You are a kind-hearted girl who loves life. I would really love for you to support me as I support you 100%, Molly. Thanks a lot.
    Ada Furxhi recently posted..Pinkalicous Wednesday!My Profile

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    1. Molly Stillman Post author

      thank you SO MUCH, ada! and wow. thank you for the seriously sweet message – it really means a lot that you took the time to read through my blog like that. it’s definitely been a journey!

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  15. Sarah

    The cut of your blazer is awesome! I’ve never put stripes and stripes together–come to think of it, when I do mix patterns, I don’t mix the same types of patterns. I might have to go for that next!
    Sarah recently posted..Can’t Let GoMy Profile

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  18. Laura @ Twelve by Six

    Great job mixing patterns for this challenge! I love that you paired stripes with stripes in different colors but with a similar common denominator color – it keeps the whole thing grounded, and I totally agree that keeping a similar color scheme helps it from going overboard. I loved this challenge – I’m so enjoying seeing all the patterns everyone mixed! :)
    Laura @ Twelve by Six recently posted..Mixing It UpMy Profile

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    1. Laura @ Twelve by Six

      Oh I and I totally wanted to say (but forgot) that I’m with you on the bubble necklace thing – it’s SO common in blog world that it feels almost unspecial sometimes, but then you wear it IRL and realize that not every one is inundated (great description) with seeing it almost every day on fashion blogs ! Great observation!
      Laura @ Twelve by Six recently posted..Mixing It UpMy Profile

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  21. CC

    Love it, girl! You look amazing. I live in a teeny tiny town and I am pretty sure that if I showed up at McDonalds or Walmart in many of the things I love on style blogs I would get stared at, and not in a nice way (by people in uggs and pajamas, no less)! And I haven’t seen a single person in colored denim around here. Of course, that won’t keep me from rocking it when fall comes around! ;)
    CC recently posted..Print Mixing LightMy Profile

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  22. Kate

    I just saw your look on Marion’s blog and had to come over to comment! The tips are great! Oh, and I think you hit the nail on the head with the bubble necklace– I feel like everyone has one, but then I remember, oh yeah, bloggers don’t make up the entire world :)

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  23. Marionberry Style

    Molly – you just crack me up! Thanks so much for linking today…I LOVE your tips and stripes. And it’s so true…the blogging world and the “real” world are so far apart sometimes. I will throw something on and think it looks great but then get all kinds of weird looks from “real” world people. Haha!
    XO – Marion
    Marionberry Style recently posted..Trend of the Month Link-Up: Pattern MixingMy Profile

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  24. Tiffany

    Girl, I love the bold mixing of stripes! You look SO cute! I really like to mix patterns although I don’t do it very often… I think if I get myself a few more striped pieces, I’ll be able to do a lot more of it!
    Tiffany recently posted..ScandalousMy Profile

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  26. nancy @ adore to adorn

    This is such a cute look. I love the stripe mixing!
    I also own the infamous bubble necklace…though, I paid the “original” price for it back when it only existed at J.Crew and it only came in black…and now that feels like ages ago! Now, I feel kind of lame that I spent so much! haha…

    xo,
    nancy

    P.S. LOVE Target, too!
    nancy @ adore to adorn recently posted..Wednesday Whim – Underwater AliceMy Profile

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  29. KT

    I Love the prints mixing and the color combination is fabulous on your hon!! I agree, no matter what you are wearing, when you’re confident, your outfit just looks better!

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  36. Stephanie

    Girl, you look amazing as per usual! I agree with you, fashion blog style vs real world style can be quite different. It’s like the blogging world has it’s own little trends we pass around to each other :) My family probably reads my posts scratching their heads saying “peplum? what’s that? what kind of word is that anyway???!!” Hahaha. Also, love your little tips for print mixing…it’s a good guide for inexperienced pattern mixers such as myself! The most daring I get it pairing a printed shoe with a printed top…I guess it’s a start? PS- that quote is probably gonna be super duper true.
    Stephanie recently posted..If you visit 1 Florida beach, let it be this one!My Profile

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  39. mandy @ this girl's life

    I think you look adorable! I would never think to pair two striped items together like that but it totally works. My office is super plain and boring {I work with Quakers!} so someone would probably burst a blood vessel if I walked in wearing that. Ha! {oh…and THANK you for the link to the bubble necklaces!}
    mandy @ this girl’s life recently posted..{playing dress up}My Profile

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  41. Lindsay

    Okay this is awesome! First can we talk about how your skirt is from Target? What??? I thought it was from some kind of expensive boutique and therefore couldn’t get my hands on it! And then let’s talk about the wedges…I LOVE them. And stripes on stripes…ingenious. You totally rocked this look Molly. I love it! And you have such great advice for wearing a look like this!
    Lindsay recently posted..miss mix-a-lot!My Profile

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  42. Always Maylee

    I am loving all the stripes and I’m a big fan of pattern mixing. I want your blazer. You are just looking super cute in all these bright, fun colors. Haha, and I love the Mean Girls shoutout… totally love that movie.

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  43. Mia

    I love love love the striped skirt! All the colors WITH black and white was a VERY good choice! and ugh, why did you introduce me to the $12 necklace?! ahh I want every color!!
    Mia recently posted..Mixed PrintsMy Profile

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  45. Monica

    Oh. My. God. Molly! I must say you are just too hilarious and cool! You have seriously become one of my fave bloggers. I always feel good after reading your posts! LOL @ the blog world and real world. I am going to link up for the pattern mixing post today and tried on a bunch of crazy options last night and my hubs all but thought I was out of my mind. I opted for a slightly safer option today and still felt a lil odd leaving the house this morning. My mix includes polka dots and python print! I’ll post later today. Have an awesome day!!
    PS- thanks for the hook up on those necklaces. ;-)
    XOXO Monica
    monismix.blogspot.com
    Monica recently posted..Blogger Sample Swap! So Fun!My Profile

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  49. Jenny

    Such a great post!!! LOVE your write-up! You look fabulous in this print mix! I totally agree about the blogging world being different from the real world. I get sick of things before I even see people wearing them on the street because it’s everywhere on blogs, but hasn’t made it yet to the real world. Mixing prints is definitely one of those trends that I rarely see on others in real life. I also think I get the “that doesn’t match” look from people when I try to mix prints. :)

    xo Jenny
    http://www.crazystylelove.com
    Jenny recently posted..Florals & StripesMy Profile

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  51. Kelly

    Love your pattern mixing!! And I agree, we’ll probably look back at our mixed prints and be like… what were we thinking? Though, right now, it’s pretty awesome. And I don’t own a bubble necklace either (or actually know anyone who does) but I feel like EVERYONE on the style-blogsphere does. Sometimes the style-blogsphere and real world are very different places..
    Kelly recently posted..Trend of the Month: Pattern MixingMy Profile

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  52. engquist@see what i sea designs

    I hear ya on the bubble necklace thing. I live on a Mediterranean island where people are far more concerned about wearing as little clothing as possible this time of year than about accessorizing. Then I hit the blogosphere and it’s all bubbles all the time (: Really love the stripe combo and the fact that you’re bold enough to do it. I’m a solids kind of girl myself (:
    engquist@see what i sea designs recently posted..a few thingsMy Profile

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  59. Franziska

    I loved everything about this post. I laughed out loud about the “I meant to get dressed like this” and it’s so true about the real world being different than the blogging world. I feel trends stick around much longer in the real world (which makes sense since we have to wear clothes all the time, and only blog part of the time).
    Franziska recently posted..ThriftedMy Profile

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  60. Nin

    I love everything about this look (those royal blue wedges/yellow toe nails – yes please). The only thing I can think of to improved the look is an orange Birkin. Ha! Seriously some hardcore pattern mixing. I think my only guidelines are keep the colours simple and limit them, mix big/small patterns and add some elements in a solid. – Preaching to the choir here!

    Oh and I love that bit in Mean Girls

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  61. Katie of Alaskan Weredork

    Ooooh, and now you’ve inspired me to go and get my striped blaze out from the depths of the abyss..er…closet and try this! I really like the mix of the colorful stripes and the regular black/white stripes, it’s a little unexpected! (And I love your bubble necklace! I haven’t found any so far up here, so Im gonna have to go check that link out, because yours is awesome.)
    Katie of Alaskan Weredork recently posted..Um, a bridgeMy Profile

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