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Pattern Mixing: How Do We Look?

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

This is a follow up, in a way, to this post where I showed the brilliant plaid top my Mom sewed for me. Well, as you can see, she also sewed up a pair of shorts. They are a light weight cotton and my absolute favourite piece of summer wear, yet! Only one problem: The only solid top I have to wear with it is an EF white tank (not shown.)

But, I do have these black and white patterned tops in my wardrobe. Can we mix? Which do you like, if any?

1. With my short sleeved striped T-Shirt.
2. With what I call my aztec print. (with white shoes)
3. Aztec with black shoes.
Do the shoes make a difference?
4. With Sharkey.
PS. I wore this top (with a black skirt) while on vacation to go for High Tea. Boy, are those side tails a pain with a seatbelt!

Oh and if you think I ought not to wear plaid on the bottom half, please let me know gently.

Thanks!

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Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from Marley

Deborah

Veteran

Alana, my personal preference with pattern mixing is for tonal mixing (which you have done) and I like it to not be too jarring to the eye:) Given this, I find the combination in #4 to be very flattering and appealing. #1, 2 & 3 are just not easy on my eye. I know it 's warm were you are so this might not help but adding a third piece could potentially 'finish' #2. Something like a drape sleeveless vest for example. And I like the plaid and if you do too, then no reason whey you shouldn't wear it.

Runcarla

Veteran

#2+3 and #4 work (for me) but #1 not so much. Both the white and black sandals work for #2+3.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Interesting. Thanks to both of you for responding!
I have a black flowy cardigan topper I could wear with #2 if it were cool enough.
You both liked #4 the best--I suspect it is because of the black separating the two pieces? Of course it could also be that the scale of the Sharkey is just that much smaller.
I am wearing #1. I'll go change, lol! (I'd wondered if the scales were too similar to work, so thanks for affirming that.)

Aida

Veteran

The shorts look fun! I really like #4, very interesting layering and mix there. In #1, I think if the colors in the top were reversed it might work better; right now the big black band in the center throws the whole look off. I much prefer #2 to #3; the white sandals help keep the whole thing bright and cheerful and helps make the mix look more purposeful, whereas the black seems to weigh the look down.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Aida, that is quite helpful.
You know, every time I try wearing something other than my black skort or shorts with that striped top, things go askew. I was so thrilled to find it--and it is my only summer top with sleeves, lol! But I think I will find a replacement for it next summer--something less bossy.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the shorts! I prefer them with #4 as well, for the reasons the others have given. And isn't it strange how some clothes want to boss us around? That top probably seemed like a slam dunk when you picked it up. It's classic, it's sharp, it's in your neutrals....yet here it is, messing with your outfits every time!!

E

Veteran

To answer your title question, I think you look great! I love your hair & you have such a lovely hourglass figure, with very proportionate curves. And your smile is so bright & cheerful too! (I thought all of that on your other WIW post but I don't think I managed to comment on that one.)

Now, on to the pattern mixing...I pretty much never do that so am far from an expert, but I quite like #4. It has a tiny bit of punk attitude that I think is quite fun and somehow turns the plaid into quite a different thing. Plus, the shape of top works really well with those shorts (um, I wish I had a tailor-relative on call, hehe). I really like that neckline on you (I like it in the plaid top too): along with the way the armholes move in a bit on top, it does wonderful things with your shoulders.

I don't care for the other two tops: the Aztec print seems too delicate to stand up to the plaid and the stripes just seem to be arguing with it. But remember I'm not used to pattern mixing, so I might just be being fussy. Do you have summer tops in colours? I bet lots of solid colours would look good with the black & white, and some colourful prints might work too.

I can see why you like those shorts so much: they look really good on you, so I hope you can work them into a regular rotation. At least you've got 2 top options now!

Aida

Veteran

Do you traditionally like high contrast looks? I think it'll be hard to make that top work with a non-solid-black lower half otherwise. A few ideas:

dark bottoms + tall boots (a non-black would look richest)
white bottoms + black footwear (to help bookend the darkness)
colorful bottoms + black or metallic or white footwear
jeans + white jacket (to mitigate the darkness) + metallic footwear

Anonymous

I like 2. 3. and 4 as well. Wait a minute! How about wearing the shorts with the matching plaid top your mum made you. Would that look good?

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

E --Thank you so much. It is truly kind of you to say I have an hourglass figure: I am an apple, really. Anyway, yes, I appreciate the comment that #4 makes the outfit somewhat "punk" though that's interesting seeing as we are talking about plaid--something my grandfather wore on the golf course! But you are right, the top transforms the plaid, somehow. Thanks for that!
As for other tops--at home I will throw on one of my unflattering black walmart tees (now relegated to under the tunic wear for work)--but not to go out. I do have other colours, but even though they "work", I'm not feeling it.

Thanks, Suz! I know colours can be bossy--but you are so right, I never imagined a neutral striped tee could do that!

Aida--are these suggestions for styling the striped top? I'd love to give them a whirl--but except for the white bottoms and black footwear, I am lacking one piece or the other in every suggestion! But something to try in the future. Thanks.

Clearlyclaire--are you ready for it? (I still haven't managed to get the top to Mom for the armhole enlarging alteration yet.) Sorry for the wrinkles!

1. The plaids united!

Too much like pj's?

2. Here's a view of the back of the top--I love the bow! Mom had originally put it on the front (as the pattern called for) but it felt altogther too precious there. But it's fab here and helps give the top a great shape.

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SarahTheWhite

Veteran

Oh how fun!! I really like #4 and feel like I *should* love it best, but to be honest, my very favorite is #2. I don't know why exactly... I just find it very cool and love the similar contrast but different scale of the prints interesting and cohesive. But honestly, I think you could wear 2, 3, and 4 out with confidence. I just think the top and shorts in #1 would work better with other items, not each other. The bow detail on the back of the plaid top is so great!

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Thank you Sarah! I appreciate the vote for #2. I wore it quite a bit on vacation (it was so hot!)

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like 2, 3, and 4! I especially like the arty layers and shapes of 4. (That's right up my style alley.) I am not crazy about the combo in 1. Also, I like the plaid top and shorts better mixed with other things, as per your initial inclination--good call! I do like that tie on the back of the tank--very fun, and it adds to the top's nice shape.

Adelfa

Veteran

#2 is my favorite too.

lyn67

Veteran

I'm too sheepish for pattern mixing for myself, but nr.2 and 4 from the first post it's working great! Not not that much(at least to me) the second row, when posting it with the matching top. I think it1s fun, of course:-) but there it's too much of that bigger sized plaid all together, so I would rather wear them as separate. Hope I didn't offend, or so, as it is just a personal prefference and only one of the many opinions, here.:-)

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

lyn67, no worries. Monster plaid is not for everyone, I know!
Thanks for the #2 vote, Adlefa!
Firecracker--I love your sense of style, so I'm pleased #4 works for you.

Joy

Veteran

I think 2,3 &4 all work, but like 4 the best. The plaids united look ok too, but very casual. They may look great worn together with your black flowy topper to break it up and create a column of plaid.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Joy--a column of plaid! That sounds hilarious to me. I never would have thought of it. To me, a column is always a solid colour. That's great.

E

Veteran

Are you sure you're an apple and not a short waisted/high waisted hour glass? I see a lot of waist definition right under your bust in the two sleeveless tops. Anyway, clearly you're dressing yourself in a very flattering way already.

Love the back detail on the plaid top! (And am impressed by your ability to get shots of your back while holding the camera; I was trying to do that yesterday & it was really hard. lol)

I prefer the plaids mixed with other pieces, like Firecracker.

Freckles

Veteran

As others have advised I also like 2-4. I have a much stronger preference for number 2 though. I don't have an edgy bone in my body and much prefer elegance, feminine so that is why the big vote for 2; totally a personal style thing.

calmwave

number 2 was my first pick as well.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

He he, hooray for the #2 club! So, it seems I have two tops from this mix to play with. Excellent. Thank you so much everyone!

And E, yes, once upon a time--about 100 pounds ago--I was a short/high waisted hourglass. As my 13 year old daughter said to me, "Mom, you don't dress like you're fat." (I'll take a profile pic next WIW. I am bigger from the side view. I think Imogen Lamport would say I am elliptical.) And thnk you for your kind words. I appreciate them very much.

E

Veteran

I bet you're still an hourglass. :p Everyone looks like an apple in profile, lol. But however you want to label yourself, it's how you dress that counts & you're already good with that!

If you're bigger in the side view, Imogen would say you're round. (I know this because we had a big discussion earlier when I realised I'm uber-elliptical everywhere except my tush! Oh the things we talk about on this forum. hehe)

Beth Ann

Veteran

#4 is my favorite --- the tonal mix is appealing, as it the drape. #2 is a second favorite -- with the white sandals.

Mom did a great job with the b/w plaid --- although I prefer them separately. These pieces are perfect for truly hot weather.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

E -- "Everyone looks like an apple in profile, lol. "
I did, in fact, laugh out loud!
Beth Ann--yes, Mom really did a fabulous job--and they were a complete surprise! n fact,I have the shorts on again, today. I changed after work.

Erikajl

Love the idea of mixing patterns. I find that my favorite is #4. To my eye the other two tops don't quite work with the shorts. The shorts are a very bold pattern, and the tops are also contrasty in their own way. For me, it's just too much going on. What i like about #4 is that the top is quieter so my eye has a place to rest.

Either way, good for you for being a pattern mixer!! Keep 'em coming!

Julie

Another vote for #2...my fave by far. As for me, I think I would wear the 2 plaid pieces separately. I personally have a hard time choosing anything to go with a black and white print (well, other than black or white I mean!)

Marley

Veteran

One of the things I always consider when mixing patterns is the size and density of the pattern. If the size of the pattern is large (like your shorts) it is going to draw a lot of attention - so, the other pattern would be something on a much smaller scale and take up much less "space" - for example, a white (or cream? - top (I can't tell for sure if the shorts are black and white or black and cream) - with a small patterned black and white small polka-dotted scarf. Or try the shorts with a very subtle black and white/cream striped top. In other words, let those adorable shorts get all of the attention - you want the eye to be drawn to them!