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The Pattern Maker
I fought long and hard against the trend of a patterned pant. I dug my heels in and refused to buy a pair of patterned pants….until today. I was walking by my local New York and Company minding my own business when this pair of black pants jumped out at me screaming “buy me buy” and I did. I had a $30 reward and the pants were on sale for half off so technically they were free.
The trick to styling a patterned pant is to create a balance by not overpowering your look with the addition of another pattern on top. If you have a bold pattern on your shirt and your pant then you have failed to use your clothes as a means to create shape. It is important when creating shape to have a defining point at the waistline. Also, too much pattern in one place can leave people feeling like they are in the midst of an 80’s flashback In the first option I have taken the shirt from Contrast the Collar with Style and paired it with the patterned pant and a black sequin tank. The pattern in the shirt is the perfect compliment to the dark tones in the pants. Also, the dress shirt patterns helps provide a more fashionable touch than a plain white dress shirt would have alone.
In the next option I paired the pants with a red sweater to add a bright pop of color. For holiday I chose a red sweater but after the holidays you can continue the look by adding an emerald top which will be the “it” color for spring.
The key to choosing a patterned pant that will serve you over several seasons is to choose a pattern that will stand the test of time. Think along the lines of a pinstripe or a houndstooth pattern that is classic enough to be repeated over every season. Those patterns will allow you to take part in the trend without purchasing a piece that you will wear for only one season.
Linking with
Mine for the Making
Katherines Corner
This Gal Cooks
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The Swirl Wins It For Fashion Friday
In the first lesson in our series we identified the Building Blocks of a Great Wardrobe. One of the items we identified as a must have was the fitted dress shirt. Today is an offshoot of that lesson. While it is true that it is important to have some great basic pieces that will serve as the foundation of your wardrobe, you must also incorporate some patterned pieces that will provide flair. There are some go to patterns that are an obvious choice like zebra or leopard print, but part of being on the cutting edge of fashion is to look for patterns that are somewhat out of the box. I found just such a pattern this week when I went to New York and Company to redeem my City Cash. I was instantly drawn to the swirling pattern of the dress shirt. It was love at first sight and I knew that she must be mine, and one swipe of my plastic later she was.
As soon as it went into the bag, I knew she would be the latest option for Fashion Friday. For this week’s episode of Fashion Friday, I chose a dark denim jean with leather detail surrounding the pocket. I used a metallic skinny belt to highlight the waistline. Metallic belts were a hot trend this season, so I invested in some basic colors that would last from one season to the next. In order to maintain the dressy vibe of the patterned top, I chose a simple black bootie to complete the look. In order to get away from the dark feel of the charcoal and black swirl I paired the top with a green statement necklace for a pop of color.
Dress shirts are staples of every wardrobe. When you are selecting those pieces that will in your wardrobe for seasons to come find the balance of solid and print that will make every day Fashion Friday.
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Outerwear Meets Southern Fried Fall Style
Winter has finally found its way to Texas which means that the time has come to retire the summer closet in my office and delve into the winter closet in my bedroom. This means that I can now begin getting the return on my investment in the coat and boot industries. Today’s focus is about flaunting your signature style through your outerwear choices. In a previous post, In the Trenches- The Fashion Forward Guide to Choosing Fall Outerwear, ( https://myfashionforwardblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/in-the-trenches-the-fashion-forward-guide-to-choosing-fall-outerwear/ ), we explored how to choose the best fall outerwear, so today the topic is how to style what is available this season.
This one from New York and Company I love. It incorporates a classic trench cut with the current trends in colorblocking. It is featured here styled with denim for a casual day out, but you could just have easily paired it with trousers or cords for a warmer look. If you want to set yourself apart from the crowd (and I did) the coat also comes in a vibrant blue and black combination.
This piece I love and is one that I got on clearance last year at Macy’s which made it a steal. Look for end of season sales to stock up on classic pieces for the following year. Choose neutral colors so that you do not date your wardrobe. Avoid pieces that were the it color of the season even if they are a great deal. You will be less likely to wear those colors the next year.
This piece I picked up today at JC Penney (thank you hubby). It is another take on the classic wool winter coat. I was attracted by the faux leather detail around the pocket and the collar. Then, when I turned it around and found faux leather patches on the sleeves, it was full on love in the store. I almost reverted back to my classic childhood game of pay for this with me in it. You will be glad to know that I did restrain myself, but just barely. Look for items that have unexpected elements that will set you apart from the crowd. So, for all of you are finally enjoying your much needed cool snap, do it in style and do it with outerwear.
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