Does pattern mixing scare the beejeezus out of you or are you a seasoned pro who mixes patterns in their sleep?
Pattern mixing can be whatever you want it to be; decidedly obvious, as with florals and stripes or with Polka Dots and Stripes, or intentionally subtle like my outfit below.
At first glance, you’re probably thinking er… where is the pattern mixing, Petite Vix? Well, take a closer look and you’ll begin to see some emerging.
The print of the shirt is obviously the main focal point but topping and tailing the look, I’m wearing a
striped beret
snakeskin ankle boots.
Then, for some added texture and colour,
the silver necklace, which itself has an intricate pattern
and a 3 colour way bag with a central gold panel, green handles and brown, lazer cut side panels.
The mixing is low key but overall these subtle details add depth and create more of a textured look. I could have easily chosen plain boots, and a bag and a beret in one colour but the outfit would have looked rather linear. Instead, by consciously choosing to wear my snakeskin boots, my 3 colour way bag and the striped beret, I’ve built in enough visual interest to balance out the block colours of the chocolate brown jeans and the teal cardigan.
And wearing my Precision hat of a Pilates teacher, I’m deeply satisfied at how my pointy collars and pointy necklace are so aligned with each other!
Lately, I’ve really started to enjoy wearing shirts. I rarely used to wear them partly because
they reminded me too much of having to wear horrible, polyester shirts for school – urgh!
I never found them comfortable.
I rarely found a shirt that properly fitted my petite frame.
If it fitted on the bust, the sleeves would be like orangutan arms. I don’t know about you but I feel quite strongly that orangutan arms only look good on orangutans.
The one I’m wearing is new in at Boden (available in both petite and regular) and when they had a Spring offer on a couple of weeks ago, I decided to order one of their shirts to try, particularly as the pattern of this one is rather fetching.
The collars sit really neatly on this shirt – always a sign of good quality in a shirt I find – so I decided to keep it buttoned up along with the top two cardigan buttons. I liked the slightly preppy vibe it gave plus it allowed me to wear my necklace high. Against the teal of the cardigan it becomes a real feature, without competing against the shirt.
With temperatures in London the past week dropping to the ‘I’d quite like to stay wrapped up in bed under a warm duvet, thank you very much‘ level, I’m not quite ready to shed my rich Winter colours just yet. The chocolate brown and teal felt right for the starkness of the day.
But the lighter pattern shirt and the snakeskin stop the look from being too dark. And with both the beret and the cardigan being cashmere, I was warm without having to pile on thick jumpers, as by now, I am ready to transition to lighter layers, as we inch our way towards the official start of Spring.
I have a real crush on these low sitting, ankle boots at the moment! You first saw them on my Playful Polka Dots post and I’ve been wearing them alot. I’m finding they are an easy Winter to Spring transitional print and boot. From some conversations I’ve had and from reading other blogs, it seems, at least for some women, that snakeskin is a little more scary, or certainly less familiar to wear, than some animal prints. However, get the right sized print and colouring and I think snakeskin is a more subtle and grown up print than leopard print.
Dorothy Perkins Petite Chocolate Brown Skinny Jeans
Boden Classic Shirt Available in petite and regular. I’m wearing a petite 14. I sized up from a 12 as it was a more comfortable fit for me.
TKMaxx Cashmere Cardigan (old)
Marks&Spencer Western Heel Ankle Boots only available now in size 8. Warehouse Snakeskin Block Ankle Boot Currently in the sale and available in petite sizes.
Urban Originals Bag from TKMaxx
New Look Necklace (last season) Not triangles but a pretty Silver Fan Collar Necklace
Seasalt Rock Beret in Merino Wool & Cashmere bought in the sale in February & still available. Also comes in navy.
If you’ve always thought pattern mixing was about screaming it from the rooftops with clashing prints and busy colours, and therefore you backed slowly out of the pattern mixing room never to venture therein again, then think again.
As much as it’s fun to be bold with mixing prints and colours – and I’m all for being bold – sometimes you can have just as much fun by being quietly confident in your pattern mixing.
What are your favourite patterns to mix. And do you mix it up by using your accessories to mix your patterns with as here?
Linking with Visible Monday / Creative Monday Blog Hop / Garay Treasures / Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday /
I see the mixing, Professor PSV, and it looks might fine. Great look and thanks for sharing, xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Professor? Ooooh I'm gonna get me a rob and mortar board to wear! Thanks Patti.
The subtle pattern mixing you've done here is great.
Those booties are sweet.
bisous
Suzanne
I seemed to have worn those boots all week, Suzanne.
lovely subtle pattern mixing, and lovely color combo too, that warm chocolate brown looks amazing with teal!
I'm loving your booties too!
besos
Thank you. I love the richness of the chocolate brown and teal too.
I love your subtle pattern mixing! Great bag, too!
I'm only starting to dabble a bit in pattern mixing myself, and it's fun! It really can add some interest to an outfit.
Thank you Andrea. Exactly, start small and build up!
I knew that shirt had to be from Boden! They do patterned shirts so well! Teal and brown are a winning combination!
Pattern-mixing is fun!x
They do, don't they? And so great they do petite!
This is a lovely understated pattern mix. I have a pair of similar boots which I'm about to feature again tomorrow and they are my favourite at the moment – great transitional wear for this time of year as you say. The shirt is very cute and I love that you've got it buttoned all the way up, so demure. Great to catch up with you again x
Anna
Anna's Island Style
Thank you Anna. Oooh I shall look forward to seeing your boots. Sometimes buttoning up is actually more interesting than letting it all hang out! I like the word demure – I always feel there's a hint of naughtiness in there!
I'd gotten out of the habit of wearing blouses also until recently! It was always the annoyance that the buttons would gap at the bust! Of course, I've since gotten a better fitting bra which makes such a difference!
I'm still working on print mixing—great example you've got going here! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh I know, and who wants to wear gape-y shirts especially if like me, you have a bust! And absolutely, getting the right fitting bra makes a world of difference.
Lovely! Boden makes such wonderful playful designs, and I am happy that it fits you so well! Love the great necklace and your obviously high quality cardigan (I need to become a more grown up and look for quality cardigans instead of snapping them for $10 or so, mostly for their color :). Your boots are great, it's interesting what you feel about snake print being more grown up compared a leo print. 🙂 I agree they are more subtle, while leopard is more bold, and I love both.
They really do have some gorgeous prints and I can never resist a gorgeous print! That necklace is a real favourite of mine and gets so much wear. I know what you mean about buying better quality cardigans – I've been trying to invest in some the past season and it's been worth it. I love them both too – it's great to have options, isn't it?
Thanks Natalia.
Your pattern mixing doesn't strike the eye but indeed it makes the whole look so much more interesting. Beautiful shirt and necklace and those boots, ohhh so cool!
Thanks Olga. Sometimes it's more interesting to be on the subtle side and the boots do seem to be a hit!
The subtle pattern mix you have achieved works to perfection.So lucky to find the perfect shirt, they are so tricky to find here too.Love those snakeskin boots.Hope your Spring appears soon.
Thank you for your kind words Jill. It's such a relief to find a brand that does shirts that actually work for me.
Spring is slowly emerging – rather sleepily I might add but I've so enjoyed seeing the magnolias in bloom.
Great photos. I love the print on your shirt and your necklace. Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Thank you Gemma, I was pleased at how the photos did come out considering how grey the day was!
I love subtle pattern mixing and your outfit is no exception! The teal and brown look lovely together as well!
Teal and brown aren't an obvious combination but they really do look good – great to have another colour pairing up your sleeve.
A great job at mixing patterns here. Something not so easy for us petites. Love the Boden shirt too
Laurie x
Thank you Laurie. Very true as we have a smaller frame on which to mix so it can look overpowering as if the patterns are swallowing us up!
Those boots are pretty fabulous! And the print on the blouse is just delicious. I'm like you, never been a fan of blouses because it is so difficulty to find one that fits.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I think the boots have quite a high swag factor, which is definitely matched by the print of the shirt. It was all swag that day! I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds it difficult – it's such a pain being an odd shape sometimes!
Love the print on your shirt, great look 🙂
Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays
Thank you Claire Justine, and for hosting.
Ah ha! Pattern mixing?! I don't fear it…I LOVE it! :oD
This is a lovely look. Subtle but fun. Your blouse is pretty and the mix is perfect!
As for that bag? Hello my lovely!
XXX
Samantha
Pattern mixing holds no fear for you – you're on of the Queens of pattern mixing you do it so well. The bag was a real find!
This is a lovely outfit and pattern mix and one of my favorite outfits on you too.
Thank you for linking up to "Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me"
Rachel xo
http://garaytreasures.com
What a lovely compliment Rachel, thank you.
Love the pictures, what fun for your outfit… the mix of patterns, the teal blue and the funky and fun boots. Love it
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
The London location certainly helped with the photos! Thank you Jess.
I really like all of the elements you incorporated into this look that made it very well rounded. All of the subtle patterns and color mixes work very well together! Your ankle boots are so stylish and a fab alternative to leopard. Alos, I am exactly the same way about my collars being on-point. 🙂
So kind of you Jennee. Yes, I do like my collars on-point!
Lovely patterns here – I will have to mosey on over to Boden, particularly if they do petites. I am also often frustrated by 'gaping at the busticles' shirts – like you say, if you get the fit right here, the rest of the shirt becomes a tent! Absolutely looove those snazzy boots – I have just bought their cheeky stiletto cousins!
'Gaping at the busticles' shirts' – that had me chuckling but it's sooo true! Also try Lands End. They do petites and their shirts, although a little more expensive than Boden are just as good. With the Boden shirt, I went up a size in the petite as it was more comfortable across the shoulders. It's wonderful to finally have choice as a petite!
Yay for snakeskin cousins!
You look really dandy here 🙂 I adore how the print elements of your outfit are subtle but not in the least bit wallflower-esque, and how everything comes together just so 🙂 xoxo
http://sheelagoh.com/2016/03/25/flower-power-a-link-up/