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WIW - Fail - Why?????

Kiwichik

Veteran

Casual Friday - I did a last minute OMG what shall I wear - too hot for jeans or pants (unlike last summer when it never got warm enough to get out of pants) - thought maybe I'll be brave and try pattern mixing - see photo 1 - total fail - volume over volume not working for me and not sure really if I should have even tried this. I was thinking the bright white and the swirls in both patterns might be pleasing - nope.

Really admire you ladies who can do the whole pattern mix thing. How do you do it?

Anyway I looked at the photo and changed the top. Added my new thrifted sparkly silver belt and felt a million dollars.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Kiwichik

Aida

Veteran

#2/3 looks super KC! You totally rock those boho looks, lady. For the mix in #1, the scale of your prints doesn't quite line up PLUS the block of black is too heavy against that dainty-printed top. A skirt with a smaller-scale print would work much better, OR a top with a larger scale print (preferably with some black in it).

PS: I am LOVING your hair these days. Smashing!!

qfbrenda

Veteran

I agree... photo 1 isn't working. But 2 and 3 look great! Well done.

Rosebuddy

You look like a million dollars too...love the skirt with the white blouse and silver belt and shoes! Looks like something I will want to try when it warms up in my area. This is a happy outfit!!

Debora

Veteran

I think Aida hit the nail on the head with her pattern mixing explanation. You are totally rocking #2 and 3. Perfect!

K. Period.

Veteran

Yup. Aida has it right on. Pattern scale has to be very different--large and small to really work. The patterns that throw me are the neutral patterns like stripes and dots, which it took me forever to recognize as not patterns at all. And pastel or lighter colors with black are just plain hard. At the end of the day, huge YLF for your streamlined black and white outfit with silver. It looks fantastic!

Kiwichik

Veteran

Good grief so many things to think about with patterns explains why I have mainly solid colours in my wardrobe and if I wear patterns I wear them with solid colours - not ready to graduate to pattern mixing yet - but the explanations certainly make sense.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look so superb in #2 and #3 that I barely even noticed #1. I think Aida explained it really well.

I am a very cautious pattern mixer. I try to use at least one fairly neutral almost-non-pattern (like a stripe) with animal print and/or abstract floral. This is easy peasy. I have, on occasion, gone for a tweedy jacket with a patterned skirt but then the colours were harmonized and both patterns had the same scale.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I concur with Suz, it's easier to do pattern mixing when one is a neutral non-pattern (dots, stripes, etc).

The second look works better because it is more simple in terms of the colours

unfrumped

Veteran

Agree the second outfit is smashing. The skirt calls for a bolder print, if you mix. The white top also continues the boho or peasant style more than the T shirt style, so it might be that you could pattern mix more effectively if the top and skirt styles are in sync.

Kiwichik

Veteran

Thanks unfrumped another good point.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I don't think the patterns were what made #1 not work, wonder if that shirt was tuck and a belt added if it might have been better???

Kiwichik

Veteran

Tracey I tried that but didn't take a photo - it didn't work

Deborah

Veteran

I think Aida hit the nail on the head. I think with successful pattern mixing there has to be some relationship between the two prints, and that is not always easy to define but it can be in the actual pattern, the tones etc. I think #1 is lacking this, but #2/3 is just beautiful.

carolbee

Veteran

Ditto everyone else, 2/3 looks great.

AJ

Veteran

You were smart to take a pic before you headed out the door. Sometimes I get outfit ideas and run with it, but then when I get home and take the pics, I am frustrated at the results.

YOUR end result is lovely. The metallic belt and sandals is the icing on the cake!

krishnidoux

Veteran

Everything has been said. You look smashing in 2 and 3!

Jules

Veteran

I think that skirt would be tough to pattern-mix because it is quite graphic with bold print AND stripes. The tips you got would help but honestly, even as a confirmed pattern mixer, I think this skirt stands alone beautifully and the white shirt is perfect.

Anonymous

Love the final outfit, so pretty!

Kiwichik

Veteran

Thanks ladies lots of food for thought.

Jules I think you are right about the skirt.

JenA

Veteran

I think you look beautiful in your 2/3.

Aida and the others gave good advice about pattern mixing the skirt, so I thought I might offer some thoughts on how to use that pretty blue blouse in #1. The ditsy floral blouse would look really cute with dotted pants. If you are brave, a striped blue/white sweater or even a dotted sweater over the blouse with a solid bottom would look cute. Since I love pattern mixing, I say to keep trying.

Kiwichik

Veteran

Thanks Jen