testing patterns

style
testing
patterns
Break out of your wardrobe rut by
mixing prints. With just three little
rules, itÕs easier than you think.
itÕs fun to wow the crowd a little
with your wardrobeÑas long as the
cheers arenÕt coming from ringside
seats at a circus. Have no fear: You can
combine prints and patterns to spice
up your clothing options without looking like Bozo. And mixing it up is easy
if you follow three simple principles
when putting an outfit together. So
whether youÕre getting dressed for the
ÔÔ
office, an evening out, or the weekend,
Fashion
must be the
most intoxicating
release from
the banality of
the world.
Diana Vreeland,
fashion editor
ÕÕ
use these canÕt-miss rules and the
examples on the following pages and
you wonÕt end up with pie on your face.
easy mixing rules
1. Make sure one color repeats in every piece
of the outfit (for example, navy paisley with
navy, red, and white plaid).
2. Combine loose prints with structured prints
(like swirls with stripes).
3. Blend small designs with larger-scale ones
(such as gingham with bold flowers).
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style I mixing prints
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why it works: A solid
why it works: The navy
piece on top, like this
in this jacket is echoed in the
yellow cardigan, helps tone
leaf motif of the dress.
down patterns for the office.
ÒThink of stripes as neutrals
The tiny polka dots of the
you can pair with anything,Ó
shirt offset the skirtÕs larger,
says Clinton Kelly, cohost
nature-inspired design.
of the Learning ChannelÕs What
to buy: Hugo cotton shirt,
Not to Wear.
$135, 800-484-6267 for
to buy: Express cotton
locations. Patrick Robinson
jacket, $80, 877-415-4551 for
for Target cotton skirt, $25,
locations. Tse cotton dress,
www.target.com.
$425, 800-873-2330.
style I mixing prints
for evening
why it works: ÒThe trick
why it works: The earthy
is to choose patterns that are
shades of the geometric-
complementary without being
patterned dress coordinate
too matchy-matchy,Ó says Sam
with the brown embroidery of
Saboura, a stylist and the author
the floral jacket.
of Real Style. Here, a dress of
to buy: Cynthia Steffe linen
tiny blossoms picks up the color
coat, $590, Neiman Marcus,
of the vivid polka-dot flats.
888-888-4757 for locations.
to buy: Joseph silk dress,
S. Sung cotton dress, $350,
$345, 212-343-7071. Bettye
www.edressme.com.
Muller leather flats, $310,
Neiman Marcus, 888-888-4757
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style I mixing prints
for weekends
why it works: ÒA strong
why it works: White and
pattern should be mixed with
black repeat in the top and the
a complementary fine print,Ó
pants, while the large polka
says New York CityÐbased stylist
dots donÕt battle with the more
June Ambrose. The bold two-
detailed paisley.
tone halter is a great match for
to buy: La Redoute cotton
subtle seersucker shorts.
blouse, $25, www.laredoute.
to buy: Old Navy cotton
com. J.Crew cotton pants, $128,
halter, $20, www.oldnavy.com
www.jcrew.com.
for locations. Ann Taylor Loft
cotton shorts, $37, www.ann
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Visit www.realsimple.
com/prints.
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