Are You Comfortable Wearing Mixed Prints and Patterns?

Many of you have expressed your reluctancy to mix and match prints when getting dressed. Wearing prints has always been a style staple of mine. I have never been afraid to add a splash of color or fun print here and there, but I must agree that there is a method to the madness. In this blog post, I will be giving a few of my tips and tricks for mixing patterns and prints.

First up, stick to the same tonal range and simply add florals, stripes, geometric shapes, animal prints or dots. One style rule that I learned early on in my career was to have only one focal point. Therefore, by wearing a consistent palette of tones and hues, the color would automatically blend together.
This will leave you the space to layer in whichever print, pattern or contrasting/complementary color you like. The viewers eye would only be drawn to one focal point, and you won’t have to worry about looking tacky.

Secondly, when it comes to wearing mixed prints (especially in 2 different color palettes) you should wear one large dominating print with a smaller accent print or pattern. This will prevent the two prints or patterns competing with one another, but instead offering more of a visual balance and fresh aesthetic.

So now for a quick lesson in color theory, complementary colors are those that are opposite each other on the color wheel. However, color inversion may be the same idea, but it’s not necessary about offering compliment, it’s simply providing opposites/negatives. This creates a lot of visual vibration, and can help create some much needed balance when mixing prints or patterns. So if you are wearing the same print, but inverted you would have on a red blouse with green dots, and green trousers with red dots. This type of color experimenting creates such lovely color harmonies.

Lastly, go for the gusto without any reservations. Wear all of the prints and patterns you want, as long as you are happy. Trust yourself your very own judgment, and we won’t even know the thought process behind the clash of mixing and matching those prints and patterns.

This post was featured on Links à la Mode fashion roundup by Independent Fashion Bloggers.

More fashion articles:

• Kansas City Fashion Week 2020 by Crowning Glory
• Are You Comfortable Wearing Mixed Prints and Patterns by SOSNUBLOG
• Winter Wardrobe Essentials 2020 by fashion with beauty
• Midnight Blue Design by Oliver Wicks
• 2 Secrets Of How I Style A Fresh And Feminine Outfit With Fashion Print Dress by Happy Esme

Presentation: Does How You Feel Inside, Reflect Your Outward Appearance? 3 Easy Tips to Ensure That You Look as Good as You Feel

Are you pleased with the way you present yourself?? Well, I guess this was a conversation to be had before CoVid because let’s be honest, who really cares now?? No, but seriously, as of late I have heard tons of women talking about being bored with their overall look and wardrobe. Thus, leaving them with the desire to improve upon their appearance when they actually get the opportunity to leave their homes. When asked me for advice on the matter, initially I simply wanted to know if my friends put enough time and effort into getting ready each day. Most were honest in saying that they didn’t put much thought into what they were wearing. Others admitted to not giving themselves enough time to actually get fully dressed. While some felt that they did take the time each day to plan outfits but just weren’t satisfied with the outcome. These were the women I could help, and if you have fallen into this category maybe I can help you too. I have 3 very easy tips that don’t require spending money on a stylist or shopping for an entirely new wardrobe.

I. Wear Colors Complementary to Your Skin Tone

So for starters, I think a good rule of thumb is knowing what colors actually complement your skin tone. Wearing hues and shades that actually flatter your complexion is an instant boost to your look. And if you don’t know, always go for universally flattering shades such as teal, cobalt blue, deep purple, and a true red. Stay away from loads of black because black tends to pick up on any dark spots or shadows in our skin emphasizing them.

II. Make Sure Your Clothing Fit Properly

I also think well-fitting clothing has a great deal to do with someone’s overall appearance. Wearing your correct size is vital. Not only can wearing clothing that fit your body boost your confidence but it will enhance your comfortability as well. Invest in having your clothing tailored to fit your body, it will make a great deal of difference. Because tailoring is such a specialized practice, I can guarantee that having your clothes fit your specific body like second skin will make you feel amazing.

III. Take the time for Skin and Haircare

I am no esthetician by a long shot, but there are a few proven things you can do that will drastically improve the look and feel of your skin and hair. For starters, invest in a gentle yet effective cleanser and use it daily. It’s also important to incorporate sunscreen SPF 30 into any skincare routine. As far as hair goes, using a good moisturizing conditioner after shampooing helps protects the hair shaft and add shine. Beautiful hair and a healthy glow will certainly improve any look, so make the minimal effort and watch just how far it will take you.

Hopefully these tips will help with putting your best self forward. However, I will say it starts within. If you take the time to put thought into what you are wearing and are confident in what you are wearing, that confidence will ooze out of your pores. It won’t be about what you are wearing at all. People will just see a beautiful, confident woman, and that’s what’s most important. It’s really all that matters in the end.

Are We Still Dressing Up?? COVID Edition Part II

Out of all my friends, I seem to have the most discipline when it comes to actually sticking to morning routine and getting dressed up everyday.  Trust me, this is a very conscious effort.  For my own mental stability, I have to stick very closely to my morning routine, which includes at a least 4 mile run, shower, and full SOSNU outfit…all by 9 a.m.  So when I hear my friends who work from home talk about rolling out of bed just in time to log in, or those who are working in underwear and tank tops all day.  Honestly, I have to check myself and make sure I am not casting judgment in their direction.

One huge factor that definitely sets me apart from my group of friends is that unlike them, I have been “working from home” for the past 4 years.  I left Corporate America and started freelancing long before lockdown, so my daily routine has been several years in the making.  This global pandemic didn’t turn my lifestyle and daily routines on its head at all.  So I didn’t have to really adapt too much, unlike every one else in the world.     

outfit details - dress: H&M (here, here); shoes: Nike (here, here); earrings: vintage (here, here); eyewear: Firmoo (here, here)

Working now as a full time, fashion business owner has a lot to do with my attitude towards clothing.  I love clothes.  They are around all the time.  There is always loads coming in, and orders of clothes shipping out.  All of my contributions to other publications are articles about fashion.  The creative content I contribute to clients and brands are all fashion related, so I guess it goes without saying that I get a kick out of getting dressed everyday.  I will say that every outfit isn’t vibrant and fully styled, but it’s a full outfit nonetheless.  The shoes are optional, of course.  Another thing about getting dressed is that it’s a tremendous mood boaster. And if I am in a good mood, I tend to be more productive and prepared during the day.  When I look good, I feel great.  And when I feel confident and great, I have the audacity to be bold and more courageous with my work.      

All and all, it boils down to the individual.  I am someone that thrives in systems and routines, so getting up and getting dressed has been something that I’ve never stopped doing since I was a young child.  I got ready everyday for grade school, then college, then working in corporate America, now working for myself.  I’ve never allowed myself to sway to far from my daily routine, maybe it’s just how i’m wired. I know that in order to have that fully optimized day, I have to dress the part no matter what.

“I want to challenge you all to try getting dressed every day for a week, and see if it’s effective??”