Have you ever worried that your pattern mixing may trigger a seizure in someone?
It’s not normally something I think about but this outfit almost required a health warning.
Advanced Pattern Mixing Triggering A Style Seizure
This amazing jacket is a sample that was never put into production by Pink Tartan a great Canadian company from Toronto.
And yeah, in case you haven’t guessed it already I’m a sucker for one-of-a-kind pieces.
Who isn’t?
This jacket’s boxy style isn’t flattering for my body type but the fun wildlife print was too good to pass up.
Did I mention I used to design prints? I’m obsessed with them.
I consider it a personal challenge to try to mix as many prints in one outfit as possible.
Some people want to win gold at the Olympics I want to see how many patterns I can put together.
Priorities people.
Aiming too high only makes me feel like a failure so I like to keep those goals about an inch above ground level.
My life coach insists that I pencil in daily on my To Do List “take a nap”.
Ha ha!
Did I mention my life coach is my pug? She has it all figured out.
Congratulating yourself for the little wins in life is what it is all about.
Setting yourself up for guaranteed success isn’t a bad idea either.
How To Break The Pattern Mixing Rules
Normally if you want to combine prints it is often suggested that one of the patterns should be larger than the other, or tone on tone which provides contrast, balance and a place for your eyes to rest. Creating one focal point is what was once considered the golden rule.
I totally trashed that rule here and I didn’t feel like a freak of nature when I did it.
The little trick I used was the fact that both patterns have similar backgrounds and the tones are the same. So much so in fact that the pants and jacket almost look like a suit if you stand back and squint really hard.
I think Gucci and Melanie changed the way we think about pattern mixing.
They happily break all the rules and run with it.
The shoes well…those are just fun and they work with the animal/jungle/garden theme.
Writing about pattern mixing I have to mention Theresa’s boho outfit. The way she mixed her patterns and textures while transitioning into fall with her vintage maxi dress is so inspired.
A visual feast for the eyes.
Sure, there is no one focal point, but the eye gets to wander at leisure…eating up all the delicious details and contrasts.
Pattern and texture overload outfits to me are an explosion of pure joy.
Remember when you were a kid and dressed up in your Mom’s clothes? Remember how you’d put on everything?
Yeah, that kind of childlike joy that knows no bounds and simply follows the heart.
Are you a fan of pattern overload? Or does it trigger a seizure?
Linking up with the lovely Patti over at Visible Monday
I like to think that a bit of pattern mixing will wake the boring old b*stards up and give them something more to talk about than the weather!!
That suit is wonderful, I love it. Leopard print is the only shoe that would have worked. Zoe knows best!!!
Both you and Theresa look utterly fabulous. No hold barred, all out, unique style.
isn’t it sad when people lose that childlike joy and start fretting about whether it’s in fashion, makes them look old, fat or whether they go anywhere to wear it? Although I’m glad they exist or they’d be nothing for us in charity shops! xxx
Tis true that I’m thankful daily for what other people throw out : )
First of all, i am feeling a little faint. … hehe! Kidding kidding! i need some of your pattern mixing skills, i hope to try more in the fall. LOVE this look on you and those pants are so pretty! i love your life coach idea of an afternoon nap. i take one, with my cuddle buddy Gibson. 😉
i loved theresa’s outfit as well.
have a great day
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Ah so it’s just one of your babies that you nap with : )
I admit that you make this work but confess to being utterly unable to do it myself. It’s part of the advanced class in fashion which I haven’t taken yet. 🙂
The more you play the better you’ll get at it : ).
Ok, I enjoyed this post so much! And I think I really need to up my pattern mixing game now 🙂
As for your outfit- the patterns on your “suit” are great, and the shoes work really well. I give this outfit a 11/10!
Thanks Nicole.
I think what you wrote recently about people that like to wear vintage is that they often worry about everything matching.
Mixing and clashing patterns is a great way to challenge yourself to think differently about those old rules.
That is advance pattern mixing indeed, although as you pointed out, at first glance it almost looks like a suit. Very clever! I’ve come to realise that I don’t mix patterns often enough, and I’m only taking my first steps in that direction. Thanks for showing how it is done. Oh, and I definitely need a life coach like Zoë. Phoebe’s advice would be to sleep as much as you can, which is too much of a good thing! xxx
I won’t lie…Zoë would also suggest eating non stop interrupted only by naps. LOL! If I followed all of her advice I wouldn’t be able to fit into anything in my closet!
Very clever pattern mixing, to start with I did think the jacket and pants matched! The shoes look great too. Ps. I think the Ribhkoff dress has arrived- have to pick it up tomorrow.
Oooh! I hope you LOVE the dress!
It does look like a suit! I love the prints on both and they look so fabulous together on you.
I never would have pattern mixed until I started reading style blogs and blogging my self. The other day, my daughter (she’s 39) told me I couldn’t wear what I was wearing because there were two contrasting patterns on two different items. I told her I could wear what I f**king well liked and if people didn’t like it they could look at something else!
That maxi dress is amazing!
i think your life style coach is absolutely spot on – make time for a nap, she does!
Hahaha, well done!
Good for you! I bet your daughter was impressed with your confidence : )
Inspiring as always, and I did not have a medical emergency! I have had a seizure before, though…
I do love pattern mixing, and consider you a expert mixologist! I agree with your thoughts on rules – to the trash bin..
I also love Theresa’s outfit ! Glad you shared it!
I never knew you designed patterns before.. not suprised.. so much talent in a single body… not quite fair to the rest of us!
❤️🌸❤️
Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
Eek. Not fun to have a seizure. A friend of mine when I lived in England had epilepsy and it was an on going thing. They always freaked me out as she had them often when we worked together in a lodge in Scotland.
I kind of miss my designing days.
love the prints! xxx
stylentonic.com
Thanks : )
At first glance, it does look like you are wearing matching pieces, with a variation in the size of the pattern. You’re right, it works because of the similar colours in the prints, and the cream background colour. Definitely an A in print-mixing.
I’ve found a few pieces by Pink Tartan in secondhand stores, and they do make some nice stuff.
I always wonder the story behind designer pieces winding up at the thrift store.
Wow just wow, you look fabulous!! I thought it was a suit, too, but these patterns are brilliant together. You, and Mel and Gucci in the fashion hall of fame, xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I have to admit that I did indeed think this was a suit as your pattern play had been so clevery done Suzanne. They are so tonaly similar that they’re a match to me, and one I’d be proud of too. This whole outfit is right up my street and I implore you to write it down, or ask that wonderful PA of yours to make a note of the fact that I’m head of the queue when you’re ready to dispose of this one.
Your skill at this is awesome, bravo!
Anna x
Ha! My PA is still figuring out how to use a pen ; ) Did I mention she mostly sleeps and eats?
I’ll make a mental note of that request.
You are absolutely right. The big Italian designers could have come up with this “suit”. It is amazing. Doesn’t matter the jacket is boxy, it looks great on you. Love the whole look. And I am bad at pattern mixing. Have no idea how to do it. No matter how many tutorials I get from pros like you.
Greetje
I bet that Ron would be brilliant at pattern mixing. Just a wild guess but I bet I’m right.
Hee hee! Thanks for featuring my outfit, Suzanne. It is one of my first forays into pattern mixing, a skill that you master quite easily. The leopard pumps are perfect with those two prints. I am seeing the key to making various prints work together is matching backgrounds and similar colors in the prints.
Theresa
http://www.vintagestylefiles.com
You got it Theresa! That and just being willing to experiment.
Gucci mixes items that clash so much it hurts and yet they still work and leave a very memorable impression. They were the one store that I truly loved when I was in Hong Kong. So much creativity!
I truly thought that the pants and jacket were a suit at first. Truly—I had to look really close to realize that they were different prints. And you’re going to laugh, but they remind me of a suit my mom made for herself that she’ll be wearing on the blog in the middle of October (it’s a darker print, but still….)
Fabulous outfit, fabulous eye, and that’s why you are such a pro—-I didn’t realize you used to design prints. You are a master at so many creative outlets!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh that is too funny! I need to keep my eyes peeled for your Mom’s suit. I’m excited to see her version.
Whoa, this is a seriously wonderful floral and fauna outfit. You knew I’d like it. The pieces DO look made for each other, but even better, they weren’t. And yes, the leopard shoes are the perfect choice. If you get lots of patterns together they cancel out and become a neutral, as we know.
And I don’t think anyone will notice the shape of the jacket – we’re all too busy marveling at everything else. Hahaha, thanks for the shout-out!
I need a prescription for a nap from Zoe.
Zoë will happily prescribe a nap and an extra large Kit Kat with a bag of chips. That’s how she rolls : )
This is so good, I can’t even. Radness. <3
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com