It’s a well known fact I love florals. Sometimes, I’m a little stymied when it comes to styling them. I’ve had this Talbots floral skirt for years, but I’ve only worn it once that I can remember. I’m pretty sure I wore it with a white tee shirt. When Jodie and her gang styled black and white skirts, I commented we should do a repeat. And, here we are! Please visit Jodie’s post as you know she’ll have lots of ideas! I’m using the same skirt and accessories and changing only the tops. This was an exercise in trying out new things for me and, perhaps, it will give you some ideas. This skirt has a self belt, but I used it only in the first outfit.
Florals and a graphic tee…
For this look, I went looking for something that wouldn’t exactly “go” with the somewhat formal nature of this skirt. I decided a graphic tee would be just the thing. But, I didn’t want to go too far out so I stuck with the black and white theme. This tee is from Loft, maybe last year or the year before. It’s very boxy and cropped (on most people). It works because I stuck to the same colors. Another factor aiding the successful combination is the slightly nicer quality of the tee. It has some structure, and the graphic is easily read.
Florals and florals…
This time, I went with an older cardigan from Talbots. You may have noticed it’s also a floral print. I wasn’t sure if this was going to work because the background is more ivory than white. After I decided the color wasn’t that noticeable and even worked quite well. I needed to figure out what to do with the length of the cardigan. It’s very long, but I didn’t want to tuck it in. So, I tried a buttoning hack I’d seen on Instagram. It didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped. What to do? What to do? An obi belt to the rescue! I tell you…this belt was rather expensive (for me)…but, it has earned its keep in my closet! I folded the sweater up about halfway all the way around, then I secured it with the obi. I also folded in the top of each side to create a vee neck. This combination works, even with the differences in the neutral colors, because both florals are rather large and abstract. Now, I know some of y’all are going to say one of the florals should have been smaller, but I happen to think these two florals like each other and played very well together.
More florals, but add some color…
OK, y’all are now going to see what I mean when I say I used to shop at Talbots a lot! This cardigan is another older cardigan from…say it all together now…Talbots! I used to have a pencil skirt that went with it…same print but reversed colors. I either donated it during one of my Lenten purges or gave it away. Pencil skirts are not my friend, but that’s another blog post, right? Anyhoo, this time, I tried another Instagram hack. I actually put the sweater on backward and flipped it over the top of my head. So, where it’s buttoned in the front is the bottom button of the cardigan. And, there’s only that one button holding it closed…yikes! I buttoned the buttons behind me, but I wouldn’t dare go out like this because there was a big gap between the bottom of the sweater and the top of the skirt! This sweater wasn’t that long! For some reason, I thought you put it on backward and upside down, but every time I tried that, I just had the cardigan on the right way! Hahaha! Another problem I had was where the shoulder seams hit. There was no way I could raise my hands above my head! Here’s why this works. The background color is close enough to white that it’s OK with the white of the floral of the skirt. And, we all know just about every color goes with black and white. I did risk this looking a bit Halloween-ish, but I don’t think many people associate florals with Halloween! The scale of the florals, again, is about the same. I think that’s fine because they’re each drawing just the right amount of attention to themselves. But, heck! I could be biased, right?
The Lewk!
I decided to wear the same espadrilles and jewelry for all three lewks. I wanted the focus to be on the skirt. These Gentle Souls Caplin espadrilles are just so comfortable, but they aren’t available in this color any longer and only in a 9.5. I really like wearing a wedge like this because they give me height plus they’re easy on my arches. The bracelets are both Lagos as are the earrings. The necklaces are from the Brighton Meridian collection, but I couldn’t find the station necklace. Here is the one with the blue stone.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
This was a fun exercise in trying new things. I have been print mixing for so long that you would think it comes naturally. But, I wanted something that wasn’t way out there as a lot of my print mixing outfits can be. I actually like all three iterations, but I think my favorite is the orange floral. I think, should I wear it with the skirt, I’d probably do what I did with the other floral sweater. I’m going to have to find a cardigan so that flipping the sweater over your head trick works because I really like the effect of it. So, can we talk? Which outfit is your favorite? How would you style this skirt? Do you have items in your closet that are older than your own children? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
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I enjoyed what you did with the obi belt.
Thanks, Rosie! I love that belt and would love to have a grey one and a brown one!
I very rarely pattern mix so I’d probably wear the skirt with a plain top but perhaps a bright pop of pink to offset the black and white. The obi belt looks fabulous! It’s such a pretty skirt.
Thanks, Joanne! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that at all. We should do what we’re comfortable with…I like the idea of bright pink with the obi belt. I wonder if I’ve got a bright pink tee?
Ooh what a fun post! I always love seeing different ways to style the same item. I absolutely adore combining multiple floral prints and the more colors, the better, so my fave look is the last one. But I also really love combining lots of different black and white (or gray) prints together so the first two outfits are equally appealing!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! You are the Queen of mixing several florals at once! I bow down to you! I wanted to do one with just those colors to show that it doesn’t have to be just a plain white top!
I love that you got daring with your floral skirt! I love the belt and cool graphic tee!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I have been wearing this with just a plain old white top! Now, I have lots of options. I could even wear the striped tee from the polka dot challenge!
I would have never thought to put a graphic T with a floral skirt but it really works! I do love the belt, too! I always look forward to seeing what fashion combinations you come up with! Happy Friday!
Thanks, Laura! I love graphic tees and am constantly on the lookout for new ones (then I have to donate old ones). I do love this belt. It really is a look saver!
My favourite is the orange florals too. But the graphic tee outfit is fabulous too. Can’t understand why you don’t wear that skirt more often. Very good print mixing Marsha!
Thanks, Nancy! Part of the reason is it’s still just a bit snug around the waist! That’s why I didn’t wear anything tucked in!!!
My favorite combo is the one with the graphic tee. I think the writing is not too overpowering, so it works well.
I also like the look with the obi belt!
Thanks, Cat! I like to wear graphic tees that are easily read because I really don’t want people staring at my chest for too long! I love this obi belt and wish I would have gotten every color they had!
Ooo these are fun. I like this style challenge! I would tend to go with a solid color top if wearing a print on the bottom, but I’m inspired by what you’ve put together.
My mom used to shop at Talbots, and I loved flipping through the magazines, circling what I would wear if I could. I had a lace, silk skirt from Talbots that served me well for many years!
Thanks, Edi! I love to mix and match patterns, but this was pushing myself! Ya know…I might have a thing or two that would work for you!!! The catalogs back then were works of art. That’s probably when Michael Smaldone was the creative director. I still have some things from back then!
I love how you bossed this skirt around so well and the print mixing with all three options were spot on.
My examples are almost a bit boring now😂😂
Xoxo
Jodie
Hahaha!!! Your examples were anything but boring! I just wanted to do something different than a white top. I really like the three options I came up with. Thanks for collabing with me!
With the print mixing and origami to some of the pieces, this felt very “Jodie” style with a “Marsha” twist – absolutely love it! I think it’s hard to go wrong with the graphic T + print skirt combo, and the one you put together has that mix of refinement levels that I think looks really interesting and great.
Hahaha! Thanks, Sally! I like that…”Jodie” style with a “Marsha” twist! My problem with most cardigans is regular sizes are too long, but petite sizes pinch if that makes sense. They’re cut shorter in ways more than length. So, I’ve learned to make some changes since I started blogging.
These are wonderful, Marsha! I wouldn’t have thought of doing florals with florals, but they really do work well together! I should try something like that but with stripes with my black and white striped skirt.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I do love to mix all different kinds of prints/patterns. These days, it’s rare for me to wear plain clothing. I’m sure you’ve got something you can do it with!
I always love to see the combinations you come up with, Marsha, partly because I’m pretty traditional (boring?) in my matchups. I like all of these looks, but my favorite is the graphic tee. Love that one!
Thank you, Christie! I really love to mix and match my clothes (and I’ve got a lot to play with). I don’t think there’s anything wrong with traditional at all. The important thing is wearing what you love and what makes you feel good! I’m going to play around more with that graphic tee and skirt.
I love the combo with the top in pink roses – so edgy and fem at the same time! Cutest sandals ever.
Thanks so much, Gina! It’s my favorite, too!
Such a fabulous skirt and beautiful styling! I used to pattern mix all of the time and got away from that. You’ve inspired me to bring it back into the mix!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I really liked the skirt but always just wore a white top of one kind or another with it. So, this was a good exercise for me to come up with different ways to wear it.
Hi, Marsha – I like all three variations here; each one came together nicely. Your narrative discussing how you put together each one was helpful, too. If you feel that two prints play nicely together, that’s all that counts. We don’t have to be sticklers about rules (I agree with the “I will wear what I want” crowd.) And your jewelry, you have such great taste in jewelry! Thanks for sharing this experiment – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thanks, Angie! I have definitely become part of the “I will wear what I want” crowd. It’s so freeing to now worry about what others think. I’m so glad you like the jewelry. A lot of it has been gifts, over the years, from Mike. I had fun coming up with these different ways to wear a single skirt. I need to do that with more of my clothing.