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WIW - accidental pattern mixing

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Another two outfits I wore this week. The beginning of the week was either in muted or neutral colors so I think I needed a color fix! :-0
Thursday - #1. After I put it together I realized that I have 3 patterns mixed together: stripes in the dress, animal print in the scarf and hound-tooth in the pantyhose. I liked the result - do you think it works? It was not intentional - just happened this way.
Friday - # 3-4. I wanted to wear my grey Martin pants today and this is what I came up with. I am still struggling with the right top length for the pants. I need an honest opinion - does it work or my tops need to be longer with pants. I think it looks fine from the front - it is the rear I am not sure. Pictures ## 4-5 show just a turtleneck with the pants - again can I wear it with pants or is it too short? I usually like the top to cover my bum completely when I wear pants but maybe I am just too conscious about my behind in pants and I need to adjust my eye? Please tell me!

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Sveta

MNsara

Veteran

I really love that first outfit! The pattern mixes are rather 'mod' and fun! The hosiery make your legs look extra nice!

In the Martin/turtleneck outfit, I love the colors and the pearls. I think the outfit itself is 'fine', but in my definitely-not-an-expert opinion, I think the main top (turtleneck) needs to be longer -- at least crotch length.

I don't know where I got that sort of guideline, though. . . I just know that when I teach, writing on a white board all day with backside to the class, I prefer to have my 'bum completely covered'

I'll stay tuned for more expert opinions!

kellygirl

Veteran

I absolutely love the pattern mixing. Sveta, you have totally got your style down. You should wear red more often : )

I think the tops hit you at a good point. I prefer my tops to be either right above or below my widest point. The rear view looks good to me.

Megan

I love your WIW posts Sveta and your pattern matching outfit is one of my favourite so far

I love the dress- is it new?

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Red and grey is a favourite combo of mine, I actually prefer pairing red with grey than with black.

Not sure about the top length, it looks balanced to me, but perhaps post a pic with a longer top so we can see a contrast (or just wait until Angie has had tea and pastry on Saturday morning).

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

It all looks good to me. I think if it were me I would prefer a longer top with the Martin pants, but the silhouette looks good as is. Will be interested to see Angie's thoughts.

Astrid

Veteran

I love your first combo, the pattern mixing looks great to me and I love the grey with the red!

I understand your struggling with the top length. I have similar pants and ony wear them with a longer top, because I'm too conscious about my behind. But you could definitely wear it like this, it looks fine to me. It totally depends on how you feel in it.

rute

Veteran

Love the pattern mixing! The color, the dress, the tights.. one of my favorites ever!

sarah

Veteran

I absolutely LOVE #1 - it has to be one of my favorites of all your WIWs. Your style is fab. I think the length is fine, but I'm shirt-length-challenged. I have the same pants and a similar t-neck, so I'm awaiting all the responses to work on styling those pants myself.

Queen Mum

Veteran

#1 is incredible. You have such a way with those sheath dresses!

#2 is throwing me off. I do think the top could stand to be a bit longer, but even more than that I think you need a longer necklace. A long pendant necklace that hangs almost to your waist would lengthen the whole top half look.

Louise

Veteran

Love love love the pattern mixing. To my eye the *ordered* patterns of the dress and tights pair well with the more relaxed pattern of the animal print scarf. That's usually my flop proof formula for pattern mixing.
With regards to the grey pants, for myself I always prefer a longer or looser top with slim fit pants which I think is clouding my judgement towards your outfit so I shall defer judgement to the expert x

Vix

Veteran

Always a treat to see your style, Ms Sveta...love the pattern mixing!

I think the border (?) part of the scarf has a soft geometric repetition that works well with the more linear geometrics of tights + lines...but even without that, the black print ties in well with your other items.

The pants/top thing is such a pain, isn't it? I feel like I fuss with hem length every time I dress. I actually think you could try ruching up the black top to being a little *shorter,* then add something that hits mid-rear. Looks like the purple top does this....

Given the fabric/cut of those particular pants, I'm not in love with the "whole enchilada" back view -- but the current top length would probably be fine with another pair.

Becky

Veteran

Love #1! Definitely a success in the pattern-mixing department.

#2-5. I think your tops do need to be a bit longer with this slim-fitting pant. I would also echo what Louise said about considering some volume on top. You might also try it with knee-high boots to balance the look at bit.

Ljubica

The first outfit is a sheer perfection - the fit, the colors, the patterns. You look very fresh and relaxed in that pretty red, it opens up your face.
But I don't like the turtle neck - it has the opposite effect, even with the pearls.
It's simply too much black. Why don't you try a cowl neck in some lighter shade, they are generally very flattering.

Jonesy

Veteran

I love the first look! It's very arty and stylish! Here's my honest opinion about the pants/tops issue: I have those same pants, and I always wear a longer top with them (i.e., one that comes to my crotch at least). My formula is this: light color fabric + lightweight fabric (vs. a heavy denim, for example) + slim fit = top that covers my bum. If one of these factors were different, say, a pair of pants that were black, lightweight, and slim-fitting, or gray, heavy-weight denim, and slim-fitting, I might relax my rule and wear a somewhat shorter top, but all three = longer top in my brain.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Yay - my first successful pattern mixing! Thanks for the compliments, ladies.
I guess you all just confirmed my suspicions that I need longer tops for this type of pants. Oh well - at least I know know what I need and I can play along.
I think that styling dresses come naturally to me as an hourglass. Pants are a completely different matter. I don't think my body lends itself easily to pants wearing (cursing those full bum and thighs so it is always a struggle to get it right!
Jonesy, I like your formula: from now on it is going to be my pants/tops mantra!
Megan, this striped dress is not new - I have it since summer and posted outfits with it several times. It is A-line dress so I usually either layer tops under it or wear long cardigan with it.

Lisa

Veteran

Sveta-You are not alone. I do not find pants fun to fit either. In fact, I haven't picked up a new pair in ages. This is part of why all my WIW posts feature jeans and the occasional dress. Great pattern mix in #1.

Kyle

Veteran

Sveta, I can see that the pants do need a longer top, and now am questioning the way I've been wearing my own Martins -- with a blouse tucked in. Better take a photo and check it out. You do wear dresses like this one so very, very well, showing those lovely legs to their best advantage. I do like the pattern mixing and pop of bright color. Personally, I might have preferred a simpler tight -- but that is just personal preference and letting my own bias creep in. QM made a very good comment about the longer necklace, too. That would add a lot.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, i think this is a common problem for all pears and hourglasses with more curves.
Oh well, at least we look great in dresses!
Kyle, you have much slimmer lower part than I do so these pants may look fine on you with the top tucked in. However pictures really help to evaluate this. I like to pair shorter dresses with textured tights and boots as I feel it gives the otherwise simple outfit a style boost but I maybe mistaken here...

Jonesy

Veteran

I feel like I should add that my job/role probably plays a part in how conservative I am about this. When I'm in the classroom, with my rear end "on display" when I'm at the chalkboard, etc. I definitely feel like I don't want to draw attention to my physical attributes, if that makes sense. Someone with a desk job who doesn't have to perform in front of a bunch of people would probably have a different set of criteria.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Jonesy, I see your point. I have a desk job but still conscious about me "attributes"!:-)

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Bumping for Angie as there are quite a few of us interested in sorting out this "pants/top relationship" mistery!:-)