WIW 3/14: APM--How many patterns can I cram into one outfit?

I'm doing skirts this week and decided I wanted to try some pattern mixing. So I paired my burgundy houndstooth pencil skirt with a grey floral blouse. But then by the time I added my grey croc tote and herringbone tights, it ended up being four patterns in one outfit! Five if you count the red and black stripes on my glasses. And six if you count the NY city map lining on my Kate Spade trench (although you can't see it). I guess I'm aiming for advanced pattern mixing! It was raining so the Aquatalia Vavoom shiny chianti zipper boots came out to play. I wore the leather jacket as a blazer. And I wore the trench on top of the leather jacket so it wouldn't get wet--my first time trying a coat over a jacket. The boots, skirt and specs are all burgundy and even the trip on the grey tote is burgundy. So is this way too much going on in one outfit or is it subtle enough to work since the colors are subdued? (I did wear it to work today).

H&M grey floral tie-neck blouse
Halogen burgundy houndstooth pencil skirt
Gap grey herringbone tights
Aquatalia Vavoom boots in chianti patent
Tahari black leather jacket
Kate Spade black ruffle trench
Kate Spade grey croc tote
White House Black Market hammered silver stretch bracelet

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14 Comments

  • nicoleb replied 12 years ago

    Love the skirt and the bracelet! I don't think it's too many patterns to me. I think the bag works well because it's an added texture to the outfit, rather than a pattern.

  • Deborah replied 12 years ago

    Natalie, everything in me says this shouldn't work... but it does! I may have to take Pattern Mixing 101 with you.

  • Diana replied 12 years ago

    I love this! I think it works because you've got a limited color palette here (grey, black, burgundy) and two of them are neutrals, so all the patterns are not overwhelming. Plus the colors make it cohesive. Good job!

    That blouse is really cool! Have we seen it before?

  • Sarah A replied 12 years ago

    So impressed! You are a master mixer in my book!

  • Joy replied 12 years ago

    The blouse and skirt look great together. The only thing that may be a bit much are all the ruffles going on with both blouse and trench, but that's just me. I love that skirt on you.

  • christieanne replied 12 years ago

    From the description it sounds wild but in the photos it works!

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Thanks Nicole, Deborah, Diana, Sarah, Joy & Christianne! Yes, I think it sounds crazier than it looks!

    Nicole, I am not sure what the difference is between pattern and texture. I may start a new thread about that!

    Diana, I got the blouse from H&M pretty early on, I think in August or September. It's a bit sheer and there aren't enough buttons up top for my liking (I may end up adding some so it doesn't gape open) but I like the pattern. Here's a better pic of the blouse.

  • nicoleb replied 12 years ago

    Sorry for not furthering on that. I just meant because the bag is a solid color with a croc texture, rather than being a pattern of like...stripes or flowers or something my eye saw it as an added textural interest rather than, "wow that's a lot of patterns on top of each other."

  • Kirti replied 12 years ago

    I love it! I tend to think of burgundy as a faux neutral so I don't think the outfit is OTT at all!

  • Suz replied 12 years ago

    This totally works for me! You are a clever woman and I am glad you have launched into the coat over a jacket club; now you are becoming an expert layerer, too!

    My only issue (and it's purely personal..i.e. about my OWN style, not yours) is like Joy, I wouldn't feel comfortable with that many ruffles. But I would totally wear the look otherwise, and you know I'm a neutral Queen!

  • replied 12 years ago

    It is busy to my eye, but I think you are pulling it off quite nicely. I would never be able to make all of it work, but you do and I think that is the key, making it believable.
    Love those boots....

  • ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

    That is some spiffy dovetailing of patterned pieces, Natalie! Fabulous!

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    This. is. killer! Very UWP, too, Natalie - which makes me smile every time. These are all colors I personally use as neutrals, so the patterns just add interest. I'm not into ruffles, but wearing ruffles ON ruffles turns it from sweet to edgy, IMO, and that rocks. Repeating the diamond pattern in the skirt and cuff is amazing as well.

  • Meredith1953 replied 12 years ago

    The whole outfit works brilliantly on you Natalie! My brain says it should be too much but it definitely is NOT too much. It has a subtlety that is very appealing and wow! I wish I could see a pic of the outfit before you put the trench on. Just to see how it looked when you got inside and took your coat off. I'm sure you turned a lot of heads...and I mean that in a GOOD way. FABULOUS!

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