Since starting this blog, I’ve made it a mission to experiment with some bolder sartorial choices. (Who could forget my doomed “socks with heels” experiment?)
Lately, I’ve been attempting a lot of pattern-on-pattern, wherein you layer two pieces that ostensibly should clash. It’s a bit like chemistry — if the wrong combination occurs, the beaker explodes. And if clothes were high school classes, pattern play would be an AP course.
Today’s look mixes stripes and snakeskin, two things I never would have guessed would play well together. There’s something so inherently wrong about the combination, it transcends fashion rules and suddenly just works. This type of incongruity looks very sophisticated and expensive with minimal effort.
That said, I can’t really take credit for all the inspiration. I — cringe — found the idea on Pinterest.
SJP’s mixed-media dress was a revelation. Yes, her dress’ mismatchy-ness was deliberately curated and crafted. But it’s incredibly easy to replicate at a fraction of the cost. (At this point in the trend cycle, you’d be hard-pressed to find a store that didn’t offer both stripes and snakeskin.)
I was delighted that I could replicate the alchemy with items I already owned. My snakeskin blouse was straight out of the Altuzarra x Target collaboration, and the striped shift has been in my work wardrobe for eons.
I’m trying to master pattern mixing, but I’m still a novice. But if you’re looking to try a couple experiments of your own, here’s my advice: Pluck every polka-dot, pin-stripe and paisley out of your closet, spread them across the bed and just start trying everything on. Throw caution to the wind and mix with the zeal of a renegade Walter White.
What’s the craziest pattern mixing you’ve ever tried?
