Double Prints
Wearing double prints is also known as pattern mixing or print mixing. The look is bold … loud … fun … and it’s eccentric at times. If you’re used to a simplistic color-scheme wardrobe, sporting a double print ensemble is definitely a level-up. Do you remember the fashion rule, “Don’t mix your prints?” Well that rule is gone. Wearing double prints is in style. These bold silhouettes are everywhere. Mix prints of plaid, check, scarf, floral, dot or stripe in any combination that suits you. It sounds strange, but the look is fantastic. So, how do you pull off this look? What are the keys for a double print outfit?
There are many print mixing rules to follow, to help you pull off the look successfully. Whether or not you choose to follow all of them is not the issue. One view in the fashion world is that color alone is the guideline, with no other rules beyond that. Another view says to consider size and variety of prints, as well as color.
Color is the key to wearing double prints. The first step in print mixing is finding a common color. Choose prints that have one common color. The common color unifies the outfit. It brings together two varied prints that otherwise would not pair well together. Decide on your color and build your outfit from there. Always keep in mind you are matching colors and not prints, and you’ll be successful.
Once your color is determined, you are ready to build your double print ensemble. Try one of these combinations for a fresh fashion twist.
- Pair a bright floral print with stripes or with polka dots for a new look.
- Walk on the wild side. If you love animal prints, pair with neutral stripes, for a toned-down look, or level up with a double animal print outfit.
- Pair any combination of plaids, polka dots, and checks. These classic prints paired together give a modern look.
When building a double print outfit, there are some helpful guidelines to follow.
You can mix two patterns within the same pattern family. Try pairing two stripe prints that have one common color. Or, you can mix two patterns with the same color. Mixing stripes and dots provides a twist to two classic prints. Do you love to wear floral prints? Mix your florals with this technique: pair a monochromatic floral with a multi-color floral for a striking look.
One fool-proof technique is to mix a lighter pattern with a darker one. Pair a light scarf motif with a dark print. Proportion is your friend. Large, bold patterns paired together give a unique combination. Pair a large plaid with a large animal print. Pairing a monochromatic check with a multi-color check works as well.
Here are few tips for print mixing:
- Animal print is considered a neutral in the pattern mixing world.
- Going completely monochromatic always works. Stay with classic color combinations like black and white, and you can mix most any pattern combination for a winning look.
- Pair a bold print with a delicate one.
- Inverted color schemes work well with pattern mixing.
Consider print mixing a fashion adventure. Build your outfit beginning with your favorite color and go from there. Enjoy!
What To Wear To A Wedding
Wedding Guest Attire
Springtime is wedding season. But 2020 is not a typical year. Here we are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, hoping that life will “return to normal” very soon. So many aspects of life have changed, including attending weddings.
Weddings are being scaled back to a minimal number of attendees or hosted on social medial platforms so invitees may attend virtually. Some weddings are being postponed in hopes of enjoying larger celebrations later. These are strange times indeed. Here’s hoping there will be some return to normalcy in the very near future. And hopefully that will include attending weddings.
In the spirit of “returning to normal” we are going to feature wedding guest fashion and attire. We will be talking about what to wear to morning, afternoon, and evening weddings, and showcasing outfits each day.
The ceremony time is a key factor when deciding what to wear to a wedding. Morning weddings are casual, evening weddings are usually formal, and afternoon weddings are in between the two.
It is the bride's day, and there should be no distractions or redirection of focus. Whatever the level of formality, you want to be comfortable in your wedding guest attire. Choose items that are your style, and pair well with the level of formalness for the wedding ceremony.
The Morning Wedding
Morning weddings are the most casual. Choose a bright and springy color, or a playful print dress in a lightweight woven or a comfortable knit.
If the wedding is to be a very casual event, try a pair of flat sandals. Or to dress it up a little, swap out the sandals for a pair of wedges. If the day is cool, slip on a light cardigan or blazer. Keep the accessories light and cheerful.
The Key: Don’t overdo it. This isn’t a formal evening wedding. Keep the vibe simple and casual, yet clean and polished.
The Afternoon Wedding
Choosing an outfit for an early afternoon wedding can be challenging. It is too late in the day for a casual summer dress, but too early to don a cocktail dress.
Steer away from cotton and knits. Try a more luxurious fabric, like a shimmery silk or a lace.
A sleeveless floral lace dress that hits just at the knee is perfect. It is polished and not too casual, but still not an evening dress. Let the accessories compliment the vibe of the dress; simple and not overstated.
The Key: More polished and dressier than the attire for a morning wedding, but not over the top. Dressy, but not formal.
The Evening Wedding
A knee length cocktail dress is almost always appropriate, or a floor length formal gown if the occasion demands.
The perennial question: Is it all right to wear black to an evening wedding in the spring? ABSOLUTELY YES. For an evening event, black is perfectly acceptable. However, if you prefer color, go with a vibrant solid color, and accessorize with black. Either way, evening weddings are the perfect time to sport elegant black or stunning, deep colors.
As far as accessories go, black is classic and pairs well with most any outfit. Alternatively, bold-color accessories are perfect if you choose to wear a black dress. Pairing animal print accessories with a lace dress is a dramatic option.
The Key: Formal. Go with a cocktail dress, if not a floor length gown. The level of formality can be dictated by the location of the event.
We look forward to being open again, and helping you put together outfits for your special occasions including weddings.
Spring Transitional Wear
Winter-to-Spring Transitional Wear
Ah, springtime … brisk mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings. Springtime weather is so unpredictable. What’s a girl to wear? While we’re packing away the heavy coats and winter knits, let’s keep those boyfriend jackets, cardigans, and plaids handy for layering.
Springtime scarves and light denims are perfect components to a transitional outfit as well. And layers! Layering is a girl’s best friend. It’s the perfect technique for changing an outfit as the temperature fluctuates.
Now is the time to consider winter-to-spring transitional wear. We’ll look at everything from boots to florals, scarves to cardigans, and plaids to denims.
Floral, Jackets, and Boots
Do you have a favorite long-sleeve floral blouse in your closet from wintertime? Wear it this spring with jeans and denim jacket. Complete your outfit with a pair of peep-toe heeled booties, which are perfect for spring transitional outfits. These pair well with jeans, ankle trousers, skirts, and dresses when we’re not quite ready to break out the sandals.
If your favorite dark floral is a dress, add a cargo style jacket and complete the outfit with boots. But not just any boots … pull out those cowgirl boots or edgy ankle boots to polish off this spring look with a bold vibe.
When wearing blouses or dresses, layers are a girl’s best-friend! A simple cardigan is a perfect layering piece. If it’s too cool to wear just a dress, add that cardigan. Cuff those cardigan sleeves to give the outfit a spring look.
Sweaters and Scarves
Layering is key when putting together your spring transitional outfits. Layering makes it easy to build your winter-to-spring outfits. Here are some fun ideas to try.
- Start with a lightweight top or blouse, add a neutral sweater, and top it off with springtime accessories. Need another layer? That denim jacket is perfect!
- Queue the dark and neutral sweaters and add a splash of spring color. Scarves are the perfect accessory to complement any transitional outfit.
- Lightweight sweaters are perfect for spring. For a fun visual effect, try pairing opposite fabrics in your outfit … a textured neutral sweater with a springtime skirt, or a chunky springtime sweater with a flowing dress.
- Another sweater option … consider a short-sleeve sweater dress and layer it with a light cardigan. Step out of your comfort zone … use a colorful springtime scarf and tie it as a belt.
- Heavy knit dresses are just cozy enough for early spring. Add a light-weight cardigan with a cap sleeve dress. Polish off the outfit with a touch-of-spring pink handbag.
Denim and Plaid
Now is the time for a light-wash denim or chambray. Pair a light chambray with your dark jeans, monochromatically brightening up your springtime outfit. Top it off with a pop of color. Adding colorful springtime accessories is easy and fun. Whether it’s a bold handbag, a bright floral scarf, or cute colorful flats, have fun adding a springtime touch to your outfits.
The chambray shirt dress can be worn several ways. It’s your perfect spring foundation piece. Wear it with any of these combinations:
- Leggings and ankle boots
- Festive floral scarf and over-the-knee boots
- Black 3/4 leggings and bright flats
- Leather fedora and cowgirl boots
What about those plaids? Don’t pack them away. This perennial favorite is on trend this season, so we’re going to have fun with it.
Make a statement with a plaid jacket. Layer it with a chambray shirt dress. Cuff the sleeves, and don’t forget those heeled booties. Change up the outfit by pairing the plaid jacket with light-wash blue jeans, bright heels, and a bold spring scarf.
Or, keep it easy by layering a tee with a plaid blouse and dark-wash ankle jeans. Dress up that outfit with classic black heels. Feel like stepping up your 2020 fashion game? Wear contrasting plaid heels!
Favorite Fashion and Style Hacks
Have you ever looked in your closet and drawn a complete blank? You know that sinking feeling … I have a closet full of clothes and there is nothing to wear. You have plenty of clothing options, but a perfect outfit just isn’t coming to mind.
Top, cardigans, jackets, jeans, trousers, and sweaters. But an ideal combination eludes you. It’s happened to us all. There are a lot of great fashion and style ideas out there, and here are a few of our favorites.
Jackets
Don a jacket. It’s one of the easiest fashion hacks ever. A jacket is a perfect outfit topper that takes casual to chic. There are so many advantages to adding a jacket to your outfit. The structure of a jacket is distinctive and stylish. A jacket gives a polished appearance. Trust a jacket to add a strong shoulder line to your profile.
Start with a low-key outfit. Choose a shell, top, or tee. Next, select a pair of dark-wash jeans. Perfect, right? A top and jeans ensemble is cute and casual. Next, add that jacket. Instantly your look has changed from casual to chic. Complete your look with jewelry and away you go!
Monochromatic Look
Have you ever noticed how dramatic a friend looks when she is wearing an entire single-color ensemble? A monochromatic look is easy yet downright elegant. There are many advantages to wearing a single-color outfit. The most important may be that it makes you appear slimmer. Yes, you read that right. The monochromatic look provides a visual illusion of an elongated silhouette.
The monochromatic look is simplistic and classy, and it’s as easy as this: choose your outfit pieces of one color. That’s it. You can opt for an ensemble of one fabric type (such as the Chico’s Travelers line). Or, step outside of your comfort zone, and select items that have different fabrics types. Pair corduroy trousers with a boiled wool cardigan, or velvet trousers with an angora sweater. The texture contrast adds its own interest to your ensemble. You might add one item of color contrast to complete your look: handbag, shoes, or a statement necklace. This look is easy yet dramatic.
Surprising Color Combinations
Color. We notice color first. We see color before we see style. Do you have a flair for color? Do you enjoy exploring color options? Colors can be eye catching. Just look at the beauty of the colors of autumn: green, yellow, orange, red, purple, brown … the fall color palette of nature is beautiful. Take that knowledge and use it with your wardrobe. Making surprise color combinations is a great way to change up your style and add a bit of dramatic flair.
Reference a traditional color wheel to help make your color combinations. Here are some color wheel based ideas that work perfectly in fashion.
Primary Colors: Pair the three primary colors yellow, red, and blue together for a classic yet bold look.
Complementary Colors: Choose a color on the color wheel. Next, select the color directly opposite that color. Pair those two colors together. You may feel bold, but it works. The classic combinations are yellow/purple, blue/orange, and red/green. Delve into secondary colors and choose opposites for unusual combinations that pair beautifully.
Analogous Colors: Choose the color on a color wheel that you want, and then choose the color on the left or the right of that color. These are analogous colors. Selecting different hues of a color gives a simplistic yet harmonious look.
Mixing Styles
Here’s a unique fashion hack. Mix your styles for a daring look. Mix different styles, with color contrast, and different kinds of fabrics. Combine a floral with a distressed piece. Or take a classic ensemble and add a topper that has an ethnic flair.
Consider changing up your romantic winter floral outfit. Make a new ensemble that includes the addition of a sporty style element. Reach for a piece that is cargo style, utilitarian style, or safari style. Now combine that piece with your romantic piece.
Sporty style options and ideas include:
A sweater with a stripes and epaulets,
A jacket with military-inspired patches,
An argyle sweater,
A cargo jacket or moto vest.
The combination of the sporty and romantic styles provides visual contrast. It’s an unusual blend that is striking and fun.