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WIW: late summer date-night pattern mixing

SarahD8

Veteran

In the spirit of sharing WIWs...

I snapped this quick Photo 1 as I was getting ready to go out to dinner to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary the other night. I had intended to post it on the forum and ask if the pattern mixing was too wacky but...I ended up wearing it that night so I guess it wasn't too wacky for me! You may still vote Nay of course but just a warning that your Nay will no longer prevent me from ever wearing the combo!

(Usual disclaimers about my outfit photo skills...the proportions were much better in person.)

Photo 2 is a close-up of the skirt (silk, pink with multicolor paisley print, you've seen this piece -- pattern-mixed, even! -- before) and top (silk, blue foulard print, new to my closet this summer). What made the pattern mix work to my eye, I think, is that both garments are made of the same material (silk), they have similar prints (paisley and foulard) but at a different scale, there is some color relationship (there's some blue in the skirt print) but the all-blue pattern of the top acts as a bit of a false plain. That's my story!

Since the photos above are a quick try-on version with my house flip-flops, here's how I accessorized the outfit in Photo 3: silver tassel sandals, short-sleeve Aran cardi, tan cross-body, silver and silver/black enamel bangles, short silver chain with teardrop-shaped purple abalone pendant.

Photo 4 is a collection of other pieces I was considering to wear that night. The blue foulard top with the linen mini was too everyday. Both the blue and the lavender top with the black A-line midi seemed too "nice" or expected. This is a pitfall for me with dressy clothes -- I don't have what I would call an edgy style in general but I find that without some kind of edginess or juxtaposition dressy outfits feel too ladylike or ingenue to be authentic to me. This is something I'm thinking a bit about as my dressy capsule has never been in very good shape. On the one hand my lifestyle/environmental norm is very casual; on the other hand I like dressing up and am game for *making* occasions. But it's becoming clear to me that it's not just a matter of acquiring dressy pieces but thinking through how I'm going to put them into outfits.

The other thing that occurred to me is that I currently have a bee in my bonnet about combining boho tops with traditional/cabled knitwear for fall, and this outfit is actually a warm-weather version of that. Fun!

Ok, that was a lot for one thrown-together outfit! Grateful for any thoughts you care to share, advice about dressy capsules/outfits, pattern mixing philosophy, and so on.

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22 replies

Latest reply was from SarahD8

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I like the pattern mix - they're both somewhat small, busy prints so, to my eye, it works! (But you know that I have a higher affinity for colours than most lol - what matters most is whether you & your partner liked the outfit!) The cream/ ecru cardi makes sense with it.

I have the same issue with you re: dressy outfits - because I prefer fairly modest silhouettes, natural fibres and non-black colours, it can look a little too classically ladylike when put together in formal outfits. My solution so far has been more interesting accessories (like jewellery & shoes) but I have yet to find a way to work that into more dressy occasions...

Dee

Veteran

I see the relationship in the 2 prints and I think they work really well together. I love the idea of the cable knit juxtaposed against the silk and the way you've finished your outfit with silver and tan which is a little unexpected. I think its a great boho lite outfit.

Its not easy hitting the right note these days with dressy, everyone is quite informal now. Sometimes too ladylike doesn't seem modern enough these days.

Helena

Veteran

See this is why I love WIWs ... because in a way I am the exact opposite as you, and your explanation of your own process throws light on my own while also allowing me to appreciate your creativity and free spirit (as contrasted with my simple basic self ha!) Because I will try something and say "not expected enough" and change to the black top lol

I love the print in the skirt, so so pretty. And the blue in the top connects to the blue on the skirt. To my eye you could make the size contrast between the prints even bigger ... but again that's a 'me' thing and perhaps would be too expected for you!

YLF Sarah and thank you for posting!! X

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like the pattern mix. I agree with you that the top kind of reads like a false plain. And the colours and patterns are sympathetic. I think it is sometimes said (maybe Trinny?) that you should pattern mix patterns of similar scale. But I don’t agree with that. I think having a difference in scale can be similar to having a contrast in colours. So mixing bigger and smaller patterns amps up the contrast.

Happy anniversary!

Irina

Veteran

I must admit that pattern mixing is not something I understand but I love, love the silk skirt! I even searched TRR after you first posted it for something similar

ChristelJ

Veteran

I have not got a handle on pattern mixing for myself, but I think you have! To me the fact that both skirt and top are silk makes them very compatible, as well as the colors and scale of the prints. I really like the silver shoes to harmonize with the cool colors of the top, and the silver jewelry. I am sure you looked super stylish at your dinner.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Beautifully done! I would not have thought of this type of pattern mix, but I really like it. I really like the other combos you have laid out, too. Thanks for the inspiration!

Sal

Veteran

Congrats on the anniversary!

I love the skirt too and it totally works in the pattern mix.

Here are some things I do to stop that ingenue feeling. Sleeker hair. Bright lip. Something structured - bag? But I also don't think your looks are leaning too ingenue or ladylike - I think you balance it with chunky knits or boots etc

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Happy anniversary!

I'm with Brooklyn on the reasons it works (to my eye, at least -- though admittedly I have a high tolerance for pattern mixing and colour mixing). I also like the addition of texture and shine with the accessories you show there. The sandals look like a really fun (and practical style) -- they are flat so are easy to wear and can read as very casual but the silver also makes them feel festive.

"But it's becoming clear to me that it's not just a matter of acquiring dressy pieces but thinking through how I'm going to put them into outfits."

Truer words were never spoken and this may be especially relevant to those of us who don't dress up a lot. Each season I do my best to imagine a whole series of dressy "occasions" that might actually come up and figure out if I have an outfit ready for such events. By "dressy" I mean anything from date night at a casual restaurant to an awards ceremony to a speaking engagement -- not all of which I'll have in any given year. But sometimes I'll retire the pieces that were companions to the dressy pieces I still own before the next occasion for wearing the outfit that those pieces made comes up again -- and I'll feel all discombobulated about not actually having something I feel lke wearing despite having a few seasonally appropriate dressy items lying around.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think the mix works beautifully. (It doesn't hurt that I am partial to paisley and pink.) Not too ladylike with the chunky sweater and woven bag. Anyway, I think print mixing is a bit edgy itself. And thank you for posting !

SarahD8

Veteran

Thanks all for your comments, and for the kind anniversary wishes!

Zaeobi paying more attention to shoes/jewelry is a good idea. Especially the latter — maybe a few carefully chosen pieces with oomph could de-lady-fy ensembles when required.

Dee yes, when everyone else is so casual getting dressed up requires an air of plausible deniability! So, often a need for dressy/casual juxtaposition even in dressy outfits.

Helena, what a kind comment, you made my heart swell. So glad this peek into my wackiness was useful! I don’t think you are basic, I think you have an elegant classic style and it suits you so well! I would be open to trying a smaller print — I’m just limited by what’s in my closet. Maybe the narrow Breton stripes I wore it with before count as smaller (pic below)? That combo did feel a little less risky (maybe also bc Breton stripes go with everything) but I liked it, for me it was JUE, just unexpected enough.

Brooklyn I agree that similar scale isn’t required for pattern mixing to work. But it can…below is a pic of another boho paisley pattern mix — my blue paisley dress with an ikat print top thrown over it. I came up with this earlier in the season when people were doing “extra” outfits but never managed to post it. I quite like the combo though and have worn it several times. I think it works bc despite the similar scale the top is a much more “open” print while the paisley is denser. Maybe pattern mixing in general is about finding points of similarity and points of difference?

Irina glad to provide some non-pattern-mixing inspiration too! My skirt is by NY& Co and I got it on eBay. I hope you find a pink paisley skirt of your own!

ChristelJ and firecracker and Jaime thank you so much!

Sal great suggestions for balance, thank you! You’re right about my stompy shoes and chunky knits…maybe that’s why summer dressy seemed more challenging!

Suz, yep exactly— the dressy capsule evolves slowly, and it’s easy to lose track of the loss of support acts in the bigger wardrobe. And yes I do love those shoes! They are not my usual thing but for some reason I HAD to have them and I’m so glad I listened to myself.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, that last pattern mix is gorgeous, to my eye...fabulous! Harmonious colours and shapes and a very feminine yet unfussy ensemble!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I do like the pattern mix and am glad you wore the silver shoes for the dinner. I find it difficult to assess any dressiness at all when outfits are tried on with flip flops which are inherently casual to me, even fancier ones.
The alternative possible outfits don’t look dressy to me? I think our conception of dressiness must be quite different?
I think perhaps I can be quite “ladylike” though when trying to dress up, a comment that was made on my posts about the Canadian wedding I attended. Even though I wear pants almost every day. I don’t think “edgy” is part of my style at all… or only a tiny bit. What made your final choice feel edgy enough to you?
And a very happy belated anniversary!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Talking about ladylike- it just reminded me of something my mother said to me when I was growing up- perhaps I haven’t cast off her influence as much as I think I have?! “No lady ever goes out without a hanky”.
A bit of unpacking of the assumptions and judgement within that one sentence could be in order for me?!

rachylou

Veteran

I love it! Hipster chic. It puts me in mind of old time flour sack dresses, the pretty patterns

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like the pattern mix because you got the scale right and the overall color mix works well. Happy Anniversary!

SarahD8

Veteran

Suz thanks for swinging back through! Yes, feminine yet unfussy is definitely a comfortable spot for me, glad I am hitting the mark with my "extra" outfit.

JenniNZ I think it was the hectic (to borrow a term from Angie) pattern mixing that made the outfit feel edgy enough -- although "unexpected" is probably a better descriptor. To be clear I don't think "ladylike" looks are bad, just that I don't feel authentic in looks that veer in that direction. So I have to take care to make sure that "dressing up" results in "looking fancy" rather than also "putting on something that feels like a costume." Also to be clear the other two outfits I posted (in my second post) weren't dressy date-night possibilities; those were casual everyday outfits that I was trying to use to illustrate some ideas that had come up in the discussion thread. The alternative possible *items* for incorporation into a dressy outfit are in the last pic in my first post -- a floral printed silk tank; vintage cropped cardi with frog closures and silk piping trim; linen mini (could not sufficiently dress it up, as mentioned), and A-line silk-cotton midi (I usually dress this *down*, with casual sandals or plimsolls). Curious about our possibly different conceptions of "dressiness" and what makes a piece/outfit "dressy" to you?

rachylou and UmmLila, thank you so much for the kind words!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi again! Yes I did mean the last outfits in your first set of pictures.
What makes something dressy to me? Maybe soft and somehow more flowing fabrics? And something fancier about the shoes- a small heel or an unusual colour, maybe a sparkle or sheen or pearl or button on that takes it out of the realm of your daytime walking-down-the-street shoe?
I don’t know if I can be very clear, think I must know in my own mind what looks dressier *to me* and feel personally better to meet that internal feeling, but choose not to always meet that feeling for practical reasons.
The outfit below was definitely dressy to me, though I hope my blouse sleeve was not scrunched up all day. It may have been

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Carol

(website)

Veteran

All these clothes are very pretty. I love the short-sleeved cardigan--I have never seen that. I also love the accessories you paired with the outfit.

SarahD8

Veteran

Carol thanks! Yes that short sleeved cardi is actually surprisingly functional! I enjoy it.

JenniNZ, ah, super interesting. I can see that you have a hard time perceiving an outfit as dressy without a dressy shoe. Interestingly, I am also a shoe gal, but I tend to use footwear as a point of contrast in dressy outfits (albeit especially in cooler seasons). Good point also about the feel of garments on the body. That can be hard to convey in a picture. In my head I imagine your dress has a similar soft, drapey feel as my silk floral tank -- but the tank *looks* casual to you bc you cannot feel the material (admittedly it is also not a great picture. So...)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I saw photo #3 up top, and it screamed SarahD8!

In your second batch of pics, you're rocking the pattern mix and outfit in #2! Creative and summery.

Your pink sneakers always make me smile

SarahD8

Veteran

Thanks Angie! Yeah I am enjoying all the elements you mention. Milking the last of the summer!!