Stripes Epiphany - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Stripes Epiphany

Sadie

My closet is full of rather basic items (neutral, solid colors: white, ivory, grey, black, navy/ink)- which I love. So I find it strange that I am drawn to stripes (love my St James galathee tops!) I tire of most patterns, but not these stripes. Then it hit me:

1- Stripes are a pattern. When I wear a solid tee, I feel the need to add a necklace/scarf/jacket/cardigan to complete the outfit. When I throw on a striped tee, I don't feel the need to accessorize- perfect for my long, hot, humid summers.

2- Stripes are a neutral. If it's cooler, I can add a jacket/cardigan/necklace, but I can also add a patterned scarf that picks up one of the stripe colors (something I would never do with a patterned blouse- I love to see others pattern mix, but this exceeds my OCD boundaries too much for me).

Do others find stripes so versatile?

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Helena

Veteran

Sadie, yes, absolutely! I think stripes are perfect for simple style girls ... I too wear a lot of basics, neutrals, and simple outfits, but a stripe, especially of the type you mention, is a true classic, mixes in easily, and doesn't date as readily as other prints might. I hope you will share some WIWs at some point; you sound like my style twin!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Stripes are my favourite pattern, too. As Torontogirl said, they tend to appeal to those with a modern classic wardrobe and tastes.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Stripes are my favourite pattern as well, esp for tees for exactly the reason you state... they add interest all by themselves. My black and white tees are my summer workhorses. And I just added a couple of navy/white for this year.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. I love stripes too. Your epiphany makes perfect sense. Stripes are a brilliant tool for pattern mixing, and create a punchy-graphic look all on their own.

I have few patterns in my wardrobe - but stripes are the dominant one, followed by checks, dots and a few florals. I do animal print in footwear only.

Sadie

Torontogirl- if I ever get good enough at photos, I will share some outfits. I love your style (and will be following tour Project 333!) Just got back form a 2 week trip to South Korea and Japan, and I did it in carry-on with only 18 items (plus hiking pants/shirt), so a Project 333 woulde be fun for me as well.

lyn67

Veteran

Yes, I DO(pun intended:-)) and LOVE:-).

Sadie

Thanks Angie (we cross-posted!)- I also love dots but have not pattern mixed with them yet (baby steps for me...)

Anonymous

I never really thought about stripes this way. Thanks for sharing. Maybe I'll add a striped shirt to my next summer capsule!

Gaylene

Veteran

Stripes are my pattern since I don't generally gravitate to prints. I prefer a column of colour, or colour blocking, in my outfits and most prints look too hectic to my eye. Striped tops or accessories, on the other hand, have an architectural quality that works well with my style preferences. They add a bit of zip to an outfit without seeming busy.

Deb

Veteran

Stripes are quite nice and I wear them now and then. I just don't feel terribly individual in them since they are so ubiquitous.
You are right, plains are worthy of more accessorising than patterns, as patterns speak more for themselves.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Yes and you are so right that they work on their own or perfect for pattern mixing

tulle

Veteran

Yes, indeed. I love to have stripes on and around me.. One of the reasons I came up with is that stripes organize space--whether on walls, windows, furniture, or the human body, stripes add a visual structure that creates calm and order.

jackiec

Veteran

I can totally see this, but strangely enough I don't do stripes. Only only only if they were fairly muted. It hasn't even been an overt preference or non preference, I just rarely choose stripes. Love them on others though!

unfrumped

Veteran

Yes. I like striped tops and pinstripes in pants and skirts.
Very small polka dots also work similarly, maybe not quite as versatile.

Summer

Veteran

Add me to the stripe-loving clan. I've loved them for as long as I can remember - especially in navy and white.

Staysfit

Veteran

I was always a solids plus a scarf or necklace person. Two years ago I purchased a maxi dress with some stripes and it became a favorite and that jump started my stripe purchasing. Now I have stripes that go in a chevron pattern, an asymmetrical pattern, horizontal and vertical. My favorites are the chevron and the vertical stripes.