This week’s Betabrand photo contest was Prints and Patterns! Pop on your favorite printed Betabrand Dress Pant Yoga Pant (DPYP), or solid colored DPYP with fun printed tops…bonus points for those brave enough to mix prints! In school, I was the type to always try to get the bonus points, but when I looked in my closet I realized I must be intimidated by prints and patterns because a majority of my closet is all solids.
After spending several days trying to mix patterns and prints, I still feel a bit intimidated because sometimes it feels like maybe I’m trying too hard, simply don’t match or pull off a particulate outfit! I took my favorite patterned DPYP – Textured Plaid, and basically tried pairing all the patterned and printed tops I had (minus a couple that I knew simply clashed with the pants) and started taking pictures trying to figure out if I “pulled off” the mixing challenge. Check out the different looks I came up with:
I saw someone posted on FB a plaid on plaid outfit and knew I could easily pair my white sheer plaid blouse with the pants. Since the blouse is monochrome white plaid, it naturally acts as a neutral and does not clash with the plaid of the pants. I tried to add pop to the outfit by putting on a red belt with my red camouflage pointed toe Rothys flats. Adding this additional pattern of camouflage was a fun bold addition that actually garnered me a compliment from a fellow customer who was waiting in line behind me at FedEx when I left the house to drop off a package. I felt confident with the first mixing of patterns outfit I created!
Next, I pulled out a bodysuit that I rarely wear, but love the color and pattern of. It is extremely bold with both color and pattern since multiple colors are within the pattern. When I put it on with the pants and kept frowning at the reflection in the mirror, I lost all confidence. I wondered if I went too far and the pattern was too bold that it simply clashed. So I posted the photo to a Betabrand FB group I am in and asked for feedback. One recommended pairing it with a black jacket or sweater, so I pulled out several options and took pictures in each one, once again asking my BB FB group for support and help. There were varying opinions with some really liking the outfit with a textured jacket that I have, but I’m still not sure if this outfit actually works because I think print with pattern plus the pants and jacket both having texture might be too much. Please tell me what you think of this one!
The remaining patterned and printed blouses I found in my closet all had a floral theme and I know florals tend to easily mix with most other patterns like plaid, stripes and dots. I felt moderately confident these would work and once again posted to the BB FB group to see which they liked best. Which one do you think got the most votes?
Then I decided to wear a printed tee which I have worn with these pants before. I really had fun and am comfortable in this outfit since it is a easy pairing of simple black and white.
Lastly, I wanted to push the envelope and try a couple corset pairings with the pants. I’m not sure if I would ever go out with these outfits since they are on the risque side, but I sure felt confident playing dress up in them since they seemed to actually mix quite well together. My βetabrand FB community expressed by far the most support for these combos than all the other ones I posted earlier in the week.
All in all, I loved the mixing challenge because it pushed me way out of my comfort zone and forced me to tap into my creative side. I definitely think I need much more practice and feedback from others before I am comfortable and successful with this bold fashion style of mixing patterns. Please help me by commenting with which outfits work, don’t work, or what you would do differently to make a mediocre looking outfit better?
After taking on Betabrand’s challenge of being brave and mixing prints, now I want to get more patterns and prints into my closet! If you want to add Betabrand clothing into your closet with a 25% off discount that is good through Labor Day, use this code: “ITPants”
GGibberish 