Ask Angie & Everyone Else: Can you mix Stripes w/ Stripes?

So I got this striped jacket in January from Nordstrom and still have not pulled off the tags. I am struggling making this item "me." As a way to up the edge factor, I thought of pairing the striped jacket with a striped top. Does it work or is it a no-no?

Also -- don't stress your brain but if you happen to think of any styling ideas for this preppy jacket, let me know! I'm thinking a printed jacket like the ones from Zara are more my style.

#1 -- Striped orangey red and navy blouse with striped H&M sweater
#2 -- Same blouse with suspect Nordstrom jacket.
#3 -- Red and white knit top with Nordstrom jacket.
#4 -- Navy and white tee with Nordstrom jacket.
#5 -- Potential replacement for Nordstrom jacket.

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs.....D%2BBLAZER

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13 years ago

Jem

Veteran

I like all of the combinations except for #2. I think maybe the colors are too close? I also love that polka dotted jacket from Zara!

Kirti

(website)

I agree with Jem about #2. The rest are just fab I also like the polka blazer - I tried it on at Zara and it fit true to size - it was just a little too long for me which won't be a problem for you

krishnidoux

CocoLion, I have to be frank... I am not a fan. My eye dances too much, it gets dizzy! Although I loved the idea of it, and each piece is so precious separately, colours are fun and vibrant, and you look so good, but... to me each piece would benefit from a different combination, they tend to loose their WOW factor when put side by side.

One exception: pic #1. It is nice because the stripes are not against one another, but work together, one reminding of the other.

My humble view.

Louise

I'll admit it sends my eyes fuzzy. I think I'd prefer the striped tops with the spotty blazer x

MsMary

I love the stripes with stripes (did it myself recently), but I think I love the dots even more!!

annagybe

I think it would work better if the stripes were of different scales.

Meredith1953

I likethe jacket, but not particularly paired with the tops. I absolutely LOVE the polkadot jacket though which would look amazing on you! I think MaryK's striped look works because the two layer have stripes running in different directions.

Transcona Shannon

I love #3 especially, but to my eye, these all work! Is that the Caslon jacket?

CocoLion

Yes Shannon, Caslon striped jacket.

So it looks like this is a tricky one. To my eye, the only one I would walk out the door in would be #1, because it's less hectic.

Claudia

In a recent blog post from Atlantic - Pacific http://atlantic-pacific.blogsp.....ripes.html

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Suz

In Atlantic Pacific they are the same scale...but not overlapping. That might be the issue. I love the look in #1. And WANT to love the others, too. The jacket fits you well and I like it on you. Just not fully completely persuaded. So...what about a striped skirt? Striped jeans?

Amy

I like #1 the best

Anonymous

I think #1 works. If you are struggling to make yourself like the "preppy" jacket, take it back. Life is too short. Get the Zara dotty one if it is more your style. I love it!

Jonesy

I really like stripes with stripes! My fave is #2--I love the longer top with the jacket. The others are great too, but I'd prefer them (3 and 4) if the underlayer were longer. Also, they are both knit on knit, right, vs. the woven blouse with the knit jacket in 2? I always like to mix up the textures. #1 is a no-brainer--looks great.

I agree that varying stripe widths is fab, but I don't see anything wrong with same widths :). Mix it up, I say! OTOH, if you are not feeling it, then return it and get the dot one!

A recent post on one of my fave blogs, The Style Sample:

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ManidipaM

ETA: Realized I have great company in Jonesy and am not alone! So um, I'll be one of those who actually LOVES #2. I like the subtlety of the low contrast between stripe colours and scales even more than the combo in #3, which feels a little more predictable (aka uninteresting) to my eye.

Of course, #1 is a no-brainer; but #4 is great too.

Denise, as others have said, if none of these feel like 'you' and the return isn't a big hassle, it should go back anyway. BUT I love this jacket on you and I want you to know that stripes on stripes absolutely DO work --- you just made 'em rock together!

ETA: Also love the idea of trying stripey bottoms with it. What fun!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

My thumbs are up for mixing stripes with stripes!

LOVE #1 and #4.

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