Mixing Prints is Easy with Two Neutral Colors

Last week there was a lot of conversation on the blog about mixing prints when I demonstrated my latest scarf trick: taking two scarves with different patterns, lengths and textures and making a statement accessory for my flared jean and navy jacket outfit. If you missed it, click here to read it.

This image may jog your memory:

 

Are you ready for more print mixes?

Mixing prints looks scary, but it doesn’t have to be

If you look in magazines you’ll see the zaniest of print mixes, ones you’ll run from fast. (I feel like I have an open fashion-mind but some of the mixes are total head scratchers to me!)

For most of us, we can engage in a form of mixing-prints-lite and that’s what I want to share with you today.

Today’s mixing prints demonstration

In today’s mixing prints demonstration, I’m going to be mixing up a batter of elegant fun fashion.

The reason I say elegant is that I’m working within a column of black from top to bottom and the prints of the scarf and jacket are laid back, easy on the eyes, nothing jarring.

 

The Anatomy of This Outfit

One: I’m wearing a black ankle pant with no razzle-dazzle.

Two: I added my black ruched and netted feminine T-shirt to create the column of black. Nothing requires bravery so far.

Three: I added the 3/4 sleeved jacket which is quite tailored, actually. If it was in a solid color, I think it would be boring. But it’s covered in cutouts that look rather organic to me. Don’t they look like amoebas? Maybe like something we grew in petri dishes in high school Biology class?

The colors in this amoeba print are black and a shade of light taupe or light khaki tan.

 

 

 

Four: Now I needed to add decoration. I considered necklaces but nothing I tried excited me much.

I decided to look for a scarf but didn’t hold out hope of one that would work.

But then I swear, this scarf fell at my feet.

(True confession: It had fallen to the floor of my closet and I just happened to look down, notice it, and pick it up.)

It’s black and light taupe, striped. It’s light and fluttery. The fabric is a knit blend.

I chose to wrap it once around my neck and then just looped one end over the other. The ends are uneven which is playful and fun. I like how the jacket looks ladylike-proper while the scarf is free-spirited and out for a good time.

Although the colors aren’t exactly the same in the jacket and the scarf, they’re close enough. Actually, the fact that they aren’t the same may make it all the more interesting.

 

 

Five: I’d been wanting to wear this Lanvin bangle I picked up at Sax Consignment Store in San Anselmo and this seemed like the right occasion. I also added my favorite gold owl ring by Victor Sanz. And since this outfit’s personality seemed to be ladylike with a twist, I chose my bowed Zac Posen sturdy handbag to emphasis the ladylike quality.

Six: My slip on shoe from Junction Shoes was so perfect for this outfit. Like the scarf, the shoes are playful. The black leather is perforated (oh goody, more holes to relate to the cutouts in the jacket!) and the white and tan bands on the soles of the shoes repeats the color mix. Was that a lucky break or what?

Could this work for you?

Since many of us stay within a color palette that we most enjoy, it’s highly likely that you could open your closet doors right now and discover two prints you could pair that share the same colors and make an outfit to showcase them.

Doesn’t it look easy? Let me know if this seems doable and if you’ve done it!

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