Thursday, October 27, 2011

Skippy Says: Lessons In Pattern Mixing (OOTD)

It's no big secret that I love the pattern mixing trend (trend?). Trend or not, I'll keep mixing patterns until the cows come home. And since I live in San Francisco, that's probably going to be a while. Lately, I've seen all sorts of "rules" about how to properly mix patterns on other blogs, and maybe I'm just dense, but I have to admit they don't make much sense to me. Instead, I employ the following 2 step foolproof strategy:

1. Pick out two pieces with different patterns that I think I want to wear together and lay them out on the bed. Look at them and, wait for it, decide if I think they look nice together. Tada!

If the answer to step 1 is "no," move on two step 2:

2. Angrily throw one of the pieces on the floor and pick out another one I think might work better. Tada! Ok, I lie. My OCD would never let me do that. Neatly but still angrily hang up one of the pieces back in my closet and then pick out another one. Repeat until satisfied.







Shop:
- Mango top (bought on sale, no longer available. Buy similar here, here, here, or here)
- Banana Republic factory store skirt (bought on sale circa 2006 or 2007? No longer available. Buy similar here or here)
- Purse from SF vintage sidewalk sale ($5!)
- Banana Republic Factory store scarf (bought on sale circa 2010, no longer available. Buy similar here or here)
- Target tights (buy here)
- Shoes from random little store in Germany
- Earrings from random little store in cape cod circa 2008

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Posted by skippysays at 1:04 AM
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

84 comments:

  1. Absolutely Mrs. KOctober 27, 2011 at 1:47 AM

    it is always a good lesson and so fun to do! love the color of the sweater

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  2. kiOctober 27, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Oh these two patterns look great together! And the scarf is a great pop of colour :)

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  3. LaliOctober 27, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    Like your shirt.

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  4. Jordan MichaelsOctober 27, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    I think that you have mixed patterns supremely well here. I say, "Forget the silly rules." "Wear what makes you feel comfortable."

    http://theleatherskirt.blogspot.com/

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  5. Cara CitygirlOctober 27, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    you always have the cutest shoes :)

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  6. Feathers & FrecklesOctober 27, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    Cute! Man, I wish I was OCD about hanging things back up when I take them off. When I am done getting ready I have a pile of misfits lying on the floor crying. I take about 2 days to hang them back up - and then they're all wrinkled.

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  7. H&K Style JourneyOctober 27, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    Pattern mixing scares the crap out of me, but I am slowly working on it. You pull this off perfect! Heather

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  8. Ana Cristina MartínezOctober 27, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    I love your outfit! The top is so cute!
    Kisses

    www.ineedmorehungers.blogspot.com

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  9. SamOctober 27, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    Interesting and fun look. Not many people are able to wear mix-matched patterns. You look great

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  10. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Thanks so much!

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  11. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Thanks Ki! It's a foolproof strategy I tell ya :)

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  12. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Thank you!

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  13. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Thanks Jordan :)

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  14. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Aw, thank you!!

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  15. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Thanks! You really don't wish you were OCD, trust me. It annoyingly seeps into all other aspects of your life too, so wrinkled clothes are a much better trade-off :)

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  16. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    Thanks Heather! Seriously, try my foolproof strategy :) If you think they look good together, they probably do!

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  17. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    Thank you so much!

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  18. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    aw, thanks Sam! I really think anyone can do it with the right pattern mixture :)

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  19. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Thanks!!

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  20. Elizabeth Victoria ClarkOctober 27, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    you look so cute! x E

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  21. TiffanyOctober 27, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Haha! I think your rules rock! =) And obviously they work, because the outfit pretty awesome!

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  22. Farah SOctober 27, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Ur outfits are great! love 'em all!
    thx for ur comment dear!

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  23. AshleyOctober 27, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    I don't think I put that much effort into deciding whether or not my patterns match, so I'm impressed! Your method turned out very nicely!

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  24. meniaOctober 27, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    that combination looks perfect to me ;-)

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  25. Bre CliffordOctober 27, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    Love that you admit to the OCD. You definitely can patter mix. It's never that easy for me. Your skirt is super too!

    I would love your tips and trick to SF! I am here until the 2nd with no real plans.

    Cheers,
    Bre

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  26. CourtneyOctober 27, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    You are hilarious and I LOVE this post! One, you look GREAT! Two, YAY for your "rules" on pattern mixing, haha! I love it! Amazing! You totally made my day.

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  27. SilOctober 27, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    hhhaahahah! Nice advice! ;P
    But at the end your outfit really work out!
    Love your top!
    xxx
    S
    http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com

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  28. SamanthaOctober 27, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    LOL!! Like your instructions!! Seriously, I laughed out loud!!

    And totally loving this combination of patterns!! You make it seem so easy! :o)

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  29. CocovalentinaOctober 27, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    nice post!!i'm following you!!if you like mine, do the same!!!!

    www.zagufashion.com

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  30. AccordingtolaraOctober 27, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Saw the second photo, thought: you're purrrty.

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  31. chill air & perfumeOctober 27, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    The colors in that sweater look beautiful on you! Great look!

    www.chillairandperfume.blogspot.com

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  32. Sarah McCayOctober 27, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    so pretty.. i think the pattern/color combo looks great. i'd totally wear it :)

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  33. chocolatecookiesandcandiesOctober 27, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    HAHAHAHA!! I laughed so hard reading this. Too funny! I get my daily dose of laughter from reading your blog.

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  34. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thank you so much!

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  35. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thanks so much! I'm all about easy-to-follow rules :)

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  36. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thank you so much Farah!

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  37. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thanks! It's minimal effort, I promise! At least for me, it's much easier than trying to follow the "rules"

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  38. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Aw, well thank you very much!

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  39. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Aw, thanks Bre! Want to email me and tell me what you have already seen? That way I'll have a better idea of what to recommend. Some great places to visit include golden gate park, the haight/ashbury street area, northbeach, the mission district, and the castro district just for a start :)

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  40. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Aw, Courtney, you always leave me the nicest comments and totally make MY day. Thank you!!!

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  41. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thanks so much Sil! It's foolproof I tell ya :)

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  42. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thanks Samantha!! It is easy with this method. Honestly, when you put two pieces together your eye will tell you if it looks good or not :)

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  43. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Aw, Lara. Really? Thank you so much!

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  44. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thanks Hannah!! The colors is definitely why I bought it :)

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  45. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Aw, thanks Sarah, that's always so nice to hear!!

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  46. KelseyOctober 27, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    I love this outfit! It's so, well, sassy! I really wish I possessed the pattern mixing gene. I always end up looking like a three-year-old dressed me. LOL! I'm determined to get better at it, though.

    <3
    Kelsey
    charmingpumpkin.blogspot.com

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  47. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Thanks so much Kelsey!! Everyone can possess the gene with my foolproof strategy :) Trust me, your eyes will tell you if you put the pieces next to each other :)

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  48. l bsOctober 27, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    love your stripes knit top! I have one similar I bought at Loft, sadly I kind of ruined it coz I threw it in the washer (once) and when I pulled it out, there's a big puncture in it that is not mendable! ;|

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  49. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Aw, that sucks :( I linked to some similar ones at the bottom of my post if you want to take a look and see if there's anything you like to replace it with?

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  50. Emily of EL VintageOctober 27, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Thanks for the comment on our blog!
    Love your style.....perfection! Shall we follow each other? Let me know.
    xxxx Emily

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  51. KarimaOctober 27, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Lovely!!! love the combo of the skirt n shirt! I love mango

    www.dresscodezero.blogspot.com

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  52. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Thank you! Sure :)

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  53. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Thanks Karima!!

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  54. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Aw, thank you so much! Glad I can make you laugh :)

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  55. Vera TOctober 27, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Thanks for the comment on my blog! I love the pattern mixing!

    onelifetoshop.blogspot.com

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  56. Natalie LeungOctober 27, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    wow, great mixing prints, its a fantastic trend :D
    natalie
    http://lucyandtherunaways.blogspot.com

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  57. CaraOctober 27, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    I love your rules, I am also an angry hanger-upper of clothes! I love how bright your top is and the pops of blue with that scarf and great purse.

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  58. shantelly-laceOctober 27, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    wow, i do so love your pattern mixing! and thank you for your comment on my blog. (:

    shantel
    keenforclothes.blogspot.com

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  59. lauraOctober 27, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    I still have to try this whole pattern mixing thing. I am a LOT scared, actually! hahah. you look fantabulous! and your shoe collection is just amazing, girl. AMAZING.

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  60. KatherineOctober 27, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    Beautifully done! And love the little knit details on the sweater as well :)

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  61. Bravoe RunwayOctober 27, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Very nicely done...pattern mixing is not an easy task....done well it'll have depth, done poorly it'll look like you got dressed in the dark. Ehhh no worries, I am good with the 2 to 1 store conquering ratio ;)

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  62. cecylia.comOctober 27, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    your top is gorgeous!! Come follow my blog darling! xx
    http://cecylia.com

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  63. AudreyOctober 27, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Thanks so much for your lovely comments! I love pattern mixing too and you did it perfectly here! xo www.casualglamorous.com

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  64. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Thanks Vera!!

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  65. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Thanks Natalie! I definitely agree :)

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  66. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Hehe, glad that I've got a fellow angry hanger-upper in the house :) Thanks so much!

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  67. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Thanks so much Shantel!

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  68. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Thanks Laura! I actually really don't own many pairs at all, but I try to only buy unique ones I love :) Don't be scared! Honestly if you put two different patterns together next to each other (and not just try to imagine it in your head) your eyes won't deceive you in telling you whether they go together nicely or not!

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  69. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Thanks Katherine! Yeah I love this little sweater too, sadly it hasn't gotten much use since I bought it but I'll be changing that now :)

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  70. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Thanks Bessie! I'm so glad you like it :) Can't wait for our shopping help each other out date :)

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  71. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Thank you :)

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  72. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Aw, thanks so much Audrey!

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  73. KileenOctober 27, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    great pattern mixing! i love the little cutout detailing on the top. you have so many great outlet finds!

    cute & little

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  74. SayakaOctober 27, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    I totally agree with you on pattern mixing. If no.1 doesn't look good, out comes the next top, and usually by the end my bed is piled high with cloth :) I love your pattern mixing today!! The blue really adds a pop out!! love love.

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  75. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Thanks so much Sayaka!! Isn't it a really easy strategy? :)

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  76. SkippySaysOctober 27, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Thanks! I'm big on the outlets :) Banana Republic and BCBG outlets usually have tons of good stuff right up my alley :)

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  77. bad joanOctober 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM

    Great tips and great pattern mixing in your outfit!

    GTBB,
    http://badjoan.blogspot.com
    http://cookingjoan.blogspot.com

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  78. Kim A.October 28, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    AND it works! I think we defeat ourselves before even trying to see if two things go together! Great look. :D
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  79. SkippySaysOctober 28, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Thanks!

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  80. SkippySaysOctober 28, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Thanks Kim! I think that's definitely true.

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  81. JessicaOctober 30, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Love the colors and how you mixed the prints!-Jessica

    http://thirtyandgirly.blogspot.com

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  82. SkippySaysOctober 30, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Thanks Jessica!!

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  83. HeatherOctober 31, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Those patterns do work together. Great shoes too.

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  84. SkippySaysOctober 31, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Thanks!!

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