How to Mix Prints Question: “Can you wear stripes with leopard?” Answer: Yes. You just have to be insane enough to think you can. You’ve gotta be an animal.
{ Architecture of an Outfit / OOTD: How to Wear Mixed Prints – Leopard Leggings and a Striped Blazer for a Fall Day }
Oh hai. :D
Aloha, Lovecat!
Your mama’s fashion rules said mixing prints was a big no-no. Well, your mama’s fashion rules can eat it. Mixing prints is one of the most daring style moves you can pull, and one of the most visually impactful. Once you figure out what works for you and your comfort level, you can dramatically increase the versatility of your wardrobe, unharnessing dramatic potential and maxing out the number of combos.
Here’s how I wear mixed prints. Worn on Election Day.
Yes, I actually wore this entire outfit to work and then to our polling station. Did voters stare? Yes. Did I care? Nope. Revel in your uniqueness.
How to Wear Mixed Prints: Bold stripes and leopard pants. Over the top and totally crazy. Love the crazy.
My staple is to mix stripes with almost anything else. Pick a bold print, find a stripe with a matching color element (try black, it’s easy to start with) and then go to town. Avoid wearing a third print. If you’re wearing more than two pieces, make sure your pieces are neutrals or solid colors from the palettes of your prints. Does that make sense?
So, I made sure there was a unifying, uniting color within both prints–in this case, black of the spots and black of the stripes–then made sure my third piece was a plain solid black tank. I made the rest of the outfit pop with my accessories: sexy shoes (not office appropriate, but I manage a two-woman creative office, so I have a lot of freedom), gold arm party, fun earrings and a neon bright clutch.
Animal Instinct: loud striped blazer with loud pants and loud pops of color.
I wore this on Election Day. I woke up energized, happy and excited, ready to do my American Duty in my first presidential election. Although I grew up in California, I was a US National (Permanent Resident aka Green Card Holder) until I was 26. I’m a dual citizen of Canada and America. Finally being able to include my voice in the national races (and, local races and ordinances, of course) gave me an intense feeling of pride and a sense of ownership, if that makes any sense…? Like, a feeling of patriotism mixed with responsibility and feeling like a part of something great outside of my little bubble of existence.
When I actually wake up happy, I’ll end up wearing something other than leggings and a tank or button down or a simple dress and do a full face of makeup. It’s superficial, I know, but looking bold and fabulous makes me feel good about myself and then I’m happy with my life and myself. When you feel good, you look good and vice versa; it’s a self-perpetuating cycle. Do what makes you happy if it fulfills you and makes your everyday world a better one.
Wearing mixed prints in this fashion isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but you can try something less Out There. Lauren Conrad and Refinery 29 offer good tips for wading the waters of print mixing.
Watching early evening election returns on CNN and feeling a little nervous, hence the hydrogen psychosis (Crazy Eye).
OUTFIT ARCHITECTURE
Tinley Road striped blazer. ASOS leopard leggings. Target tank. JewelMint New Wave armor ring. HRH Collection Ombre Bracelet. HRH Collection Ultra Luxe bracelet. Jeffrey Campbell platform sandals. Random silver fan earrings. Gorjana colorblock clutch.
ALTERNATIVES
BLAZER: Striped Blazer, Striped structured shoulder blazer, Juicy Couture. Striped blazer, Splendid. striped knit blazer, DJP (cheaper option).
LEGGINGS: Yoox leopard leggings | ASOS Evil Twin leopard leggings.
CLUTCH: (Exact same) Gorjana leather colorblock foldover clutch | Threadsence colorblock envelope clutch.
ARM SWAG: Mixed metal multi chain bracelet | Marc by Marc Jacobs bi-color chain bracelet.
SANDALS: Patent Leather strap sandal, Bebe.
Red lips, the perfect red lipstick for all skin tones… the perfect red lip for Asians: MAC Ruby Woo.
My usual crazy arm stack: mixed metal hardware by HRH Collection – the Ultra Luxe Bracelet and the Ombre Bracelet. <3
Beautiful red and bold lips in honor of election day (the blue is on my nails). Loving the election returns so far.
What makes YOU feel good about life?
DON’T FORGET!!
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Me ke aloha ~ With love, Xx
Mae
If you dug this article, be sure to check out my entire series “How to Mix Prints” for ideas, tips and overall craziness.
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