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.

Simple Ways to Establish Your Personal Style

And we’re back with another one. I hope you all are well and still getting dressed…even if you’re just working from home. I know for me putting on actual outfits each day has been the ultimate mood booster, and it is something that has been vital for my productivity levels daily. I guess true is the saying that there is Power in Dressing.

We’re back this week with another post that I hope will be very helpful. After last week’s post I received tons of great feedback. If you haven’t read it yet, please go back and catch up on why I think that knowing or at least having a sense of your personal style can help in being more sustainable. However, I did notice that a lot of you sent messages asking if I would outline ways to help someone establish their personal style. I mistakenly assumed that you all fully understood personal style. Don’t fret if you don’t, it would be a delight to go more in-depth. Here is my prerequisite blog post to last week’s:

So for starters with determining your personal style, I will say to trust your instincts. Go for what you like or what you’re naturally drawn to, whether it’s currently in style or not. The latest trends aren’t for everybody, so if it’s something that you aren’t so sure about it will definitely show. Your clothes will look like cosplay or as if they belong to someone else. The operative word in the phrase “personal style” is PERSONAL. So you've got to own it.

Next, take a moment to assess the foundation of body’s shape. Minimal understanding of this is vital, as it aids you in purchasing clothing that actually flatters your particular body type. You will surely look and feel your very best.

Contrary to popular belief, developing your personal style doesn’t start with clothing. I would recommend that you allow yourself to be influenced by indicators such as silhouettes, art, literature, values, cultures, even nature. Honing in on these things will help cultivate a more organic sense of style that is uniquely yours.

Now take a look inside your wardrobe and identify any iterative clothing. A great way to start narrowing down what your personal style is is to simply look at what you have a lot of in your closet. Those duplicate styles, colors, etc. may hold the keys to your very own personal style. Here you should notice your own signature and statement pieces. Also, note random or odd pieces in your closet. It’s not necessarily bad to have items that are just one off (unlike anything else), but ask yourself why did you buy them. Are they aspirational pieces that you just don't know how to style yet or did you purchase on a whim and it’s something that you don’t intend to wear and should get rid of??

While you’ll still in your wardrobe see if you can spot any common THEMES. Is your style seemingly modern, boho, classic, vintage, trendy, etc. Once you’ve done this and are looking to expand your wardrobe and further shape your personal style, use those theme words as references when searching inspiration sites such as Pinterest or even Instagram. This tip may be helpful when online shopping as well.

Another great tip to help lock into your personal style is simply take pictures of yourself in outfits that you feel the best in and use them as reference photos when making spinoff outfits. This will aid in creating a more coherent style. If you don’t have anything to photograph yourself in at the moment, screenshot people online or even celebrities whose style you like. Locate outfits that epitomize your idea of your personal style.

I hope this information has been helpful. Although I promote personal style, the biggest take away is understanding that we as women are mutable, and the things that we like or are drawn to can change as we change. A number of factors can influence our style. It isn’t static, evolution is inevitable.