Random Musing: Mix n’ Match - YouLookFab Forum

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Random Musing: Mix n’ Match

rachylou

Veteran

Today’s fashion thought: There’s been talk about building a wardrobe based on a principle of mix n’ match. I joke that my closet is set up like this, on a Garanimals system.

Ok, this works NOW - pull an item from the tops shelf, pull an item from the bottoms shelf. But it didn’t always.

I think where I went wrong at first was thinking ONLY about generic mix and match-ability. Generic likeability. I didn’t actually like a lot of what I had even tho ‘it worked.’ That is, there were a lot of less basic things my clothes didn’t do for me.

I think now about what I could wear a potential new item with, that already exists in my closet, but mostly if it will promote the style and function I’m after. I’ve gotten more specific, less universal in my thinking...

Ok. That was random!

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Jjsloane

Veteran

I miss Garanimals! But I think I wore my zebra pants with my monkey tops on occasion.
My wardrobe is pretty much mix and match 90% of the time because I tend to only buy white, red, blue and metallics. I also have too much of everything (but that's how I like it) so I have a full mix available.

rachylou

Veteran

A wide range of variation within a colour scheme family and a little metallic zing... that’s a really good strategy, jj!

I think what I do is stick to a couple of silhouettes...

unfrumped

Veteran

Haha. I am trying to bd realistic about the limits of mix & match god md but also strive to have a greater % of items that are truly versatile. I am very driven by proportions, though and find it hard to have “ universal” tops or jackets.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I think we're on the same page--I feel that I have strayed too far in the direction of "completely interchangeable" in that almost everything can be paired but with few home runs among them. Moving ahead, I want to respect my very tight color palette but put more thought into the role of each color. So, if I want navy near my face, I should not just have "navy on the brain" and go out and buy so many navy pants and blazers. (Not that I have, but you know...without conscious thought, it could happen...) Also, I do want to take advantage of the limitations of palette by shopping for pieces that are more unique and special. If I begin with a lot of cohesion via the limited palette then I can "save up" wardrobe space for items that don't necessarily go with every other thing.

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, I think we are on the same page, Em: More home runs! I like how you put that. I want to do better than ‘technically successful.’

I want to sharpen my eye for unique pieces too. I saw this outfit in a shop window. I’m pretty sure I would have rejected both sweater and dress just browsing the racks. But on a body (or dress dummy as the case may be) and together - fantastic!

Joy

Veteran

I depended on a Garanimal-like system for my children so that they could get dressed without any intervention.
I know what you mean. Adding olive and burgundy to my wardrobe this year, I have been looking for a plaid with both colors in it. If it also has tomato red or navy, it would get bonus points. Sadly I have not found anything in even dark red and olive. I also need to replace a well worn plaid shirt in navy and blush, but have not found anything. Another print in the right colors would be ok, but I am picky about prints and don't want to settle for weird like olive roses with navy leaves, unless very arty.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I’ve gotten more specific, less universal in my thinking...
Weirdly I have been thinking along these lines too, and not just about my wardrobe.

Gigi

Veteran

Yes, Rachy, I'm more after specific items and how they make me feel or whether they promote my overall style. I'm less concerned about whether a new purchase will go with a lot in my wardrobe. I do think about that, yes, but that is not my main concern. I actually never was successful at building capsules, I think because I always thought in terms of specific items.

Since I work at home and don't have to have a business wardrobe, I wear a lot of jeans, which in general makes my wardrobe pretty mix-and-match. I also like lots of neutrals, which again makes things easier.

LaPed

Veteran

Whenever I buy an item whose primary virtue is "versatility" I end up not wearing it as much -- or at least, not loving it very much when I do wear it. I think for me those "versatile" items are just a little too quiet or middle-of-the-road or lacking detail. Solid-colour tops are probably the biggest culprits in my closet, especially if they're not-black but almost (I have a navy silk top that should be easy to style but is not). I think I need to get better at wearing pattern/texture on the bottom. I have plaid pants, but an embroidered skirt might be another solution (used to have one, wore it to death).

Oh, and tops that I tell myself are the right length to work with either a higher rise or a lower one -- hah. That is a delusion. I pretty much only end up pairing tops with pants that have an optimal rise -- if I have to fuss with a semi-tuck or the like just to make the outfit work, there is a good chance I will never wear that combo again.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh that is very true. I think I do that with cardigans. I’ve several that I think are versatile but are really just plain, and I often feel unfinished in them.

Re rise: it always seems to me that when I buy a pair of pants the rise is wrong for the tops I have... don’t know why this is!

Anonymous

J'adore tes messages Rachylou

rachylou

Veteran

Merci Bernard!

Katerina

Veteran

Interesting Rachylou. My thoughts go like this - this is how I experienced my process. When building a wardrobe, I started with a number of mix and match pieces (how many reflects individual personality and circumstances). For me, quite many. So in the beginning, to have a mix and match wardrobe felt fine. Generic likability, yes, but practical and working. Then the expectations changed, my demands increased. My life evolved AND fashion. I started adding more statement pieces. I am looking for pieces which for me are unique, interesting, dramatic or exquisite. They always work with my basic supporting mix and match pieces. I do not have a plan with these fun additions, because I cannot plan such purchases - it is often vintage pieces, designer outlets finds, travel souvenirs, unique accessories etc. They make me happy. That is their function. They cannot be mixed and matched with everything, but it is not their role.

Mainelady

Veteran

I can identify with this. For most of my life Mix and Match was necessary, as was a lot of repetition. I still appreciate having a base of mix and match neutral items, but when shopping I keep my eyes open for pieces that will elevate my style and play nicely with a few of my neutrals.

rachylou

Veteran

Very interesting, ladies, very interesting!

That’s a good point about one’s experience of one’s own process. My process is so... my thoughts and visual results don’t really line up. I go shopping with ideas - like *I want to be avant-garden like Deb* - and get something so not that. I suffer from attention blindness big time when shopping, among other things.

harmonica

Veteran

"attention blindness". I can so relate to that!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Your limited range of sillouhettes must be key. There are very few items in my closet that couldn’t go together color-wise, but the shapes aren’t always right.

I’m looking for a sweet spot where I have individual pieces I like and wear with several different things, but where there are distinctions of what goes with what. In Granimals terms, I don’t want all lions paired with more lions, but I also don’t want Noah’s ark with everything paired up 2x2, and nothing mixes with any other partners. Oh gawd, that sounds like a raunchy petting zoo.

My code for “versatile” is “goes with jeans”. I have too many lonely heart tops that would come out much more frequently if I actually wore jeans. That bright green turtleneck is one. I’m glad it’s found a partner, but I also want to give it options.

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