WIW - trying a couple of things

sarah

Here are some WIWs from this week (not sure what happened to the other days - it's been busy around here).

#1 - OK, lay it on me - does this pattern mixing work? IRL I tied the scarf in an Angie knot so more shirt and less scarf was showing. Excuse the mug shot expression.

#2 - you've seen this before, but here is the pencil skirt version (swapped out black skinnies for black pencil skirt).

#3 - trying out the contrast of this Chanel-ish jacket with jeans. Does it work?

As always, your feedback is very helpful.

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12 years ago

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Heather

Cilleena

Veteran

I think they are all great, Sarah. #1 is borderline for me with pattern mixing, but my eye is very sensitive to patterns, I think with the Angie knot that it works fine. #2 is perfect and lovely. #3, I love your Chanel jacket and it looks great paired with the jeans...cute, cute!

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love the individual pieces in 1 but don't do pattern mixing myself, so I'll leave that call to someone else! And I love the scarf done like that, I must try it! #2 is lovely simplicity, but I can't help but wonder how a long pendant would look with it? And of course I highly approve of the boots! Love the tweed jacket/jeans combo! Again, I wonder how it would look with a long pendant.

12 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I am another pattern mixing phobe but agree that the scarf is great. It may be the small amount of white in an otherwise darker outfit that is throwing it off for me more than the patterns. I would try it with a solid in a grey or black. The fuchsia sweater and patterned scarf should still add enough visual interest.

I love #2 on you. It is simple and elegant and very flattering. I also think #3 is working very well.

12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

actually, as a pattern-a-phobe...i love #1. very very hip and still professional and approachable. obv, i adore 2 and 3...would like to be your jacket twin if you can divulge your source.

ps: you would be the cutest criminal with that mug.

12 years ago

Isis

Veteran

Are you certain you wore clothes on the other days, didn't you?

I LOVE #2, just as much as the pants version. Are you wearing large hoop earrings too? Very chic.

#2 is divine. The jacket and pearls work BEST with jeans! Great look

#1 take this with a pound of salt: the patterns mix well, to me, but the purpley red magenta of the sweater and the orangey reds of the scarf, (plus the pattern) mix less well.

LOL bj111 comment on the criminal mug. The latest criteria for a skinnies and boots outfit!

12 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I think #1 totally works! I think of black and white stripes as being almost a neutral, and I love a nice pattern mix. Maybe make the scarf a bit less prominent (wrapped a bit more instead of most of it loose?), so you get a bit more stripey action? But I am nitpicking...Love #2 and really like #3--I think Janet might be onto something with the suggestion of a long pendant instead of the single strand of pearls (which reads pretty conservative to me and is somewhat discordant with the jeans....but just my personal take, of course!).

You are rocking it, Sarah!

12 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

love each of these Sara! winner week

12 years ago

christy

Veteran

Sarah, all of these are great. I like #1 quite a bit, but think Jonesy might be onto something letting even a bit more of the shirt show. #2 is great but #3 knocked it out of the park IMO. LOVE it. I think you could have some fun with the necklace - do you have multiple strands of pearls? I'd either pile a ton on, or keep it simpler with the pendant idea the others have suggested. But it looks great as is also.

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Jonesy and Christy - *high five* on the scarf - I tied it differently when I left the house to let more shirt show.

Janet, Jonesy, and Christy - I agree about the necklace. I have a pretty limited necklace collection at this point (that is slowly growing), especially in the pendant department. Something for me to think about for the future (Christmas presents?).

Kim - thanks!

Isis - yes, those are big hoops - kind of daring for me. I'm glad you like them. I think that the scarf has both the orange-y and magenta colors in it, so I hope it works.

Cilleena, Dianthus, and Janet - I know that pattern-mixing isn't for everyone! I'm glad you like the others.

bj - I'm glad you like the jacket. It's a couple of years old now, from Talbots. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they have anything similar right now. And I also appreciate that you think I'd make a stylish criminal ; ).

12 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

It's interesting that others didn't react to the pattern mixing/colors of #1 as well as I did. I think it is brilliant. Stripes and florals/watercolored(?) look great together and I love the orange-magenta mix. This look definitely has more of an artistic bent.

The other two looks are totally classy.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE #2. Strong, simple and powerful.

The pattern mixing in #1 is great! Well done.

I'd leave off the pearls in #3. I think that your outfit will look stronger that way - to my eye anyway

You have an amazing sense of style, Sarah. It's hip, practical, flattering, interesting and suited to YOU. This is what it's all about

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Thanks, Amy - I'm glad you liked the pattern mixing!

Angie - Thank you. Interesting observation about the necklace in 3. I was thinking I needed something "lighter" near my face. But I'm all over trying to achieve strong and simple : ).

12 years ago

Louise

Veteran

My favourite is your pattern mixing, it's my favourite way to mix patterns a nice formal pattern like strips with a softer messy pattern. The Chanel jacket is wonderful x

12 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

#1-Pretty colors but I'd prefer a stronger red against the scarf.
#2-Just as lovely with a skirt as this was with skinnies.
#3-The pearls really stand out against the dark top. I'd wear a lighter top if you want to keep the pearls, or remove the pearls with the darker top. And I can't help but wonder how this looks with a slightly darker wash jean instead?
Some lovely pieces here!

12 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

I agree with Jonesy's assessment 100%. I like your modern classic style and it feels very you.

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Sarah all three looks are fab. I love the pattern mixing in 1. I agree that stripes are kind of a neutral. 2 is just gorgeous... I am so glad you kept that cardigan. It looks so striking with the black. 3 is very cool.

12 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

Fab all the way around. I really like the pattern mixing in #1. It looks very harmonious to my eye--nothing is jarring or jumps out at me. It all just works together so to my eye, it works. It goes without saying that I love the dress version of 2 just as much as the pants. #3 is classic and hip--very cool. I like it with the pearls but would love it with a long pendant or something less classic. Awesome!!!

12 years ago

Joy

Veteran

You have such great style. Thank you for posting your photos. they give me ideas of pairings to try. You did a goo job pattern mixing.

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I love all of these. #2 is so simple yet elegant. I like the pattern mixing, assuming the colors are not too clashy IRL. Great set of outfits.

12 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

I like all of these. I think with the 3/4 length sleeve of the jacket in 3, I would try pushing the sleeves of the shirt up as well to see how that looks. Gorgeous jacket! I wouldn't think twice about pairing it with jeans.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I was going to say exactly what Angie said, but she already said it! So I will just say, you look great!

By the way, are those the new bootilicious J Crew jeans?

12 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Great outfits! I looked at them first and then read your post, and my first thought was "What pattern mixing?" I guess to me, like Jonesy, thin black and white stripe reads more like a neutral, than a pattern. So I think #1 looks great, as do the rest of these combinations. Love the continuous column of dark colors in #2, broken up into different textures and shades (top-skirt-tights-boots) + the contrasting cardigan.

12 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

I love all of these, Sarah (style twin). #2 is especially sleek and flattering....works just as well with a skirt as with black pants.

And good for you for trying pattern mixing...you are the brave twin! haha

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Thanks, Everyone!

Suz - those are actually my Gap Real Straights, which do tend to bag out a bit on me (I don't have much of a derriere to fill them out) - that's one reason I like the new JCrews (which I still need to wash and hem). They may be the first jeans I've ever owned that don't bag out in the butt.

Nancy - I think that you just created a homework assignment for yourself ; ) - how about some pattern mixing, now that you've conquered skinny jeans and boots?!

12 years ago

Heather

Veteran

Sarah, your print mixes are always awesome.

May I just say that I am SOOO happy you kept the avocado drapey BR cardigan. You have remixed it brilliantly in your wardrobe--from dressy to very casual. That is the way to make the most of your wardrobe. BRAVO.

I totally dig the Chanelesque jacket....is the piping purple?

12 years ago

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