My First Foray into Pattern Mixing

As I'm sure all of you stylish ladies are already aware, stripes, brights, and pattern mixing are all huge trends for summer (and if the early fall look books are any indication, will transition into autumn as well).  I thought I might as well give them all a shot at once.

shirt: lilly pulitzer, thrifted; skirt:thrifted; bag: local boutique; belt:F21; shoes: limelight 

I've never had much of a problem incorporating saturated colors into my wardrobe and stripes have long been a summer staple (although I look forward to deploying them more in the cooler months), but pattern mixing simultaneously enthralled and scared the bejeezus out of me.  Like so many other trends, it looks so effortless on other women, but when I looked into my own closet, every pattern seemed to clash.   That is until I thrifted this skirt.  For some reason its black and white scheme seems to gives me permission to mix it with just about whatever I like, including hot pink stripes.  Hopefully this will open my eyes to more possible combinations in my closet.

If you've struggled with this trend as well (or if you're just looking for some inspiration) this post is one of the best I've read on the subject.  

OH, and how great is this bag?  I've had it for 3 years now, but it keeps popping into my rotation and I fall in love with it all over again.  Dark purple is by far the most underrated neutral - it really does go with almost everything.

  

Plumage - Super Ballin'

Two weekends ago the boy, his roommate, and one of my best friend's boyfriend, and I piled into a car and road tripped to New York for Super Ball - a 3 day Phish festival.  I spent most of the weekend in a bikini top and shorts (and have the awesomely tan shoulders to prove it) but I did manage to actually get dressed a time or two - here's the proof:

Shirt, shorts: Old Navy; Belt: Body Shop; Shoes: Sahara; Shades: outdoor vendor; water: Fiji

This has easily become one of my favorite summer outfits.  It's breezy and casual while still looking put together.  The best part:  I shoved it into my very small bag (I packed lighter than the boys!) and it didn't wrinkle too badly at all.  Love.  

Plumage - Prissy Plaid

Skirt: second-hand (gifted from aunt); Shirt: Gap, thrifted; Earrings: Ireland

Through this whole fashion blogging experience (as a reader and a writer) perhaps the biggest change I've seen in my own style has been the way I mentally categorize my clothes.  I find myself looking at my wardrobe as endless possible combinations rather than as a series of tops, bottoms, and dresses with limited applications.  This has allowed me to blur the lines between "work wear" and "weekend wear" which has basically doubled my wardrobe without me having to spend a dollar.  

For example, this shirt was a fun thrift find that I immediately rotated into my Saturday lounging/Sunday brunch outfits, but it took a few weeks before I decided to introduce it to my Monday-Friday pieces.  This skirt was so sweetly given to me by my aunt when I started temping at my now job.  I went home desperately searching for office wear, and she bestowed me with my very first pencil skirt.  In my mind, these two pieces were on opposite ends of my wardrobe spectrum, but I think they pair together surprisingly well.  

Little steps, one outfit at a time.