A brand new party!
Michelle, of My Bijou Life, recently decided to start a new fashion challenge. It seems link parties may be a thing of the past for some bloggers. Others, like me, find them a wonderful way to find new blogs, interests, and even friends! Just as the title says, we are hosting a link party on the final Friday of the month geared toward print mixing, pattern matching, whatever you want to call it! We welcome blog posts about this topic, but other types of posts are welcome, too!
An expert in the field…
I am, by no means, an expert in print mixing. But, I have been getting dressed for over six decades now so I think that makes me an expert in clothing myself! As I was growing up, no one, and I mean no one ever wore two patterns at the same time. I do remember my brother trying to wear a plaid with stripes or something like that. He was not allowed out of the house!
Print mixing 101
At some point, in the last several years, pattern matching has become not only allowed but encouraged. I admit it took me a bit to embrace the trend. I wrote about trends vs fads here. Print mixing or pattern matching is simply wearing two or more different patterns or prints.
The first thing you have to know is the difference between a pattern and a print (who knew there was a difference…not me). “Prints and patterns mean different things but they are commonly used interchangeably. A pattern is best described as a repeating, geometric design like plaids, stripes or polka dots. Whereas prints are more abstract and less organized. It can be paisley, floral or an assortment of random splashes of color. (source)” With this definition in mind, you could simply choose a print and then choose a pattern, right? Wrong!
When mixing prints and patterns, there are many different things to consider. I am not an expert despite that heading! Some of the things to consider are color, texture, and proportion. You can mix a print and a pattern that share the same or similar colors. Or, you could choose two different prints that share the same or similar colors. You can, likewise, choose a pattern (like a stripe) and go with two different scales of the same pattern. I could actually go on and on about the different ways you can mix patterns and/or prints. Instead, I’m going to give you a couple of links I found to be informative and easy to read.
Why reinvent the wheel?
The first article is from Tan France. You’ll need to scroll down a bit to get to the information about pattern matching. But, the first part of the article is also very informative as he discusses different prints and patterns. I don’t think there is a paywall for this article. I seem to be able to access it quite easily. France gives four relatively straightforward tips. The second article, by Emily Westenberger, gives more tips and photos to illustrate. She focuses on mixing only two prints.
My Look
In my head, this worked. In my closet, this worked. On the hangers, this worked. The jury is still out on whether or not it actually worked while wearing it! I think I have become so used to color that the neutrals in this look are just kind of meh! I started with a sleeveless jersey knit dress from Old Navy. This dress is white with a narrow grey stripe. The duster (old and from J Jill) is more of an off white (but just barely) with varying shades of tan, brown, and grey in the print which is also a version of a stripe. I carried the stripe motif through with the caged sandals. The necklace and bracelets are also in that same neutral palette. When pattern matching/print mixing, stripes are almost universally recognized as a neutral so you’re usually safe! I think I may have gone just a wee bit too safe! Nothing jumps out at you and screams, “Hey, look at me!”
Michelle’s Look
I think Michelle is stunning! Look at how she has chosen black as her dominant color. She then used two different floral patterns to mix. The teal in both patterns pulls the look together so very subtly you don’t even realize she has done it! That is genius! In fact, if you refer back to the Westenberger article, Michelle has effortlessly used the first five tips! Michelle’s look is both trendy (if we define a trend as something that’s been around for a bit) and sophisticated. She could wear this to lunch or out to dinner. I think it’s spectacular to be quite honest!
Something new at MitM!
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. As of right now, I do have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
The Lewk!
The necklace and bracelets are old Stella & Dot. The earrings are ancient and from Target (they probably cost all of $3.00!). My sandals are from Sofft and are also years old.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I was so glad Michelle asked me to be a part of this monthly challenge. I do like to pattern match. But now that I’m going to be doing a post on it monthly, I’m going to have to step up my game! You can believe I will be eyeing my closet very closely in order to get ready for next month! So, can we talk? Do you like to pattern match or print mix or even pattern mix and print match? Is there a combination you just wouldn’t try? Please leave me a comment and we can have a conversation about this, that, or the other thing!! Thanks again to my subscribers who have probably been extremely surprised to see me popping into their mailboxes so often this week!
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m also a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). And, of course, you can now find me here on the last Friday of the month!
I never wore prints before I started blogging. Now I’m loving it, print mixing is even better. Love your outfit, the neutrals look very good on you.
Thanks, Nancy! Isn’t it funny how we change as we start blogging? Even in the short time I’ve been doing it, I’ve seen I take a few more risks and put in a little more effort!
I think your look is great and aIthough I get what you’re saying about colour, as I love colourful clothes too, I actually like the very neutral colouring of both items which goes with your hair. Have a lovely Friday 🙂
Thanks, Penny! I was wondering if it was my hair that was the problem, but I really think it’s more that I don’t wear a lot of neutrals. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I think these two prints work really well together! I don’t think I have ever mixed prints but I don’t own many prints either. I tend to like solid colors and subtle textures best.
You can always mix the textures and call it pattern matching!!! That’s something I don’t have much experience with!
Your outfit is a definite winner – using the same hues means your pattern mixing is effortless and there’s no visual jarring. I found an old post about pattern mixing which I added to the link-up. Great to see a new linky!
Thanks, Gail. I think it’s just I am so used to wearing much more color so it felt a little off! I can’t wait to read your post!
I didn’t even know there was a difference between prints and patterns…I always use the terms interchangeably!!
But I love what you did and I’ll be including a bit about it soon too!! It’s become such a fun challenge.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www..jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks so much! Jodie, I didn’t know about the difference either…I was just googling to see if there was a difference between pattern matching or print mixing…couldn’t get a definitive answer so I think they are the same. But, there was that information. I found it very interesting.
Marsha, this was such a great post! Now that you explained that there is a difference between patterns and prints, I am feeling kind of silly that I did recognize it right there in their definitions! I really like this outfit on you and think these two patterns go together beautifully. Since you are on the fence about it though, could you try a wide belt with it? Either over the dress and under the duster or over the duster as well. Try both ways to see. But I am thinking that might really make the whole look pop and say “look at me”!
Shelbee
Oh, a belt might just be the answer! I will give it a try if I ever put these two together again!
Thanks, Shelbee!
While I am used to seeing you in more color, Marsha, this definitely works. In fact it works beautifully! I love the stripes paired with the design in the topper. It’s very appealing. And inadvertently, between the two of us, we have covered opposite sides of the spectrum! I’m going to go read the article you recommended now….
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thanks, Michelle! I rarely wear neutrals, but this outfit just kind of pulled itself together! And, I didn’t even see the stripes in the topper until I was looking at the pictures. I guess that’s an advantage to taking photos regularly!
You’ll have to let me know what you think of the articles.
Oh, and your pup is adorable!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
He is our third Westie…and the worst of them all! He is so ornery…if I’m working on the blog, and he thinks I’m done, he’ll grab my hand with his paw!!! I just love the little stinker!
You can definitely get away with mixing prints when you’re using neutral colors. I really like the ivory/tan/taupe shades in your outfit. Great accessories and sandals, too. The whole outfit is quite a success!
Thank you for hosting the link-up.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Thank you so much, Carol! I am just not a neutral girl!! But, I’m glad you like it!
This is a fun challenge to have! And I think you nailed this print mixing look – the neutrals work so well together, and really lets the pattern mixing be the star of the outfit 🙂 I tend to always have stripes as one of my prints when I’m mixing – they seem to go with everything!
Hope that you are having a good weekend and thank you for the link up!
Thanks, Mica! I agree with you…stripes are so easy to work with in a print mixing challenge!
It is raining like crazy here. I hope your weekend has been full of fun activities!
This is such a fabulous look! Love your neutrals and print mixing! Your pup is so sweet!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks so much, Jill! I am just not used to seeing myself in neutrals like this! I wear grey all of the time so I’m not sure why this didn’t resonate with me! I’ll tell Jack you think he’s sweet…he thinks he’s pretty special, too! (So do I!)
Print mixing is fun, and you did great with it. You look fab and your pup is cute!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! I do enjoy my doggo!!!
I think you performed print mixing perfection here! The palettes of the prints are similar and since you have a geometric/linear and floral type print they don’t clash with each other. Fabulous!
Thanks so much, Laura! I think it’s the neutral colors that have me questioning it.
Pingback:Florals, florals, florals! - Marsha in the Middle