Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Any Better?

Last time I paired this leopard skirt with a patterned, purple dress, it didn’t get rave reviews. I’m wondering if this version is a bit more palatable.


Sweater, INC. Dress, I Heart Ronson. Belt, thrifted. Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Rampage.


Leopard and printed purple in January and February:


Which outfit do you like better?
Arabian Nights (left)
Any Better? (right)
Neither - I'm not a fan of pattern mixing!
  
pollcode.com free polls

24 comments:

Brina said...

I love this version! The dark skirt seems to warm up the sweater a lot. Also love the Wendy B pose!

Megan G said...

I like the newer version better. I think the belt also has a lot to do with it. The red brings it together, where as the first outfit almost came out 'dull'.

maryeb said...

The darker skirt seems to 'anchor' (whatever that means) the outfit.
I like this incarnation a lot. I really like the red belt too!

Anonymous said...

I feel like the only way pattern mixing works is if the two patterns are different scales and/or values by a lot. The original is in the same value family AND in a similar scale.

Not sure what artistic principle makes this so but it seems very much to be the case.

MaryBeth said...

SO cute on the right. I agree, the left look seemed like you were trying a bit to hard.

The right look effortless.
Cute, cute!
xoxoMB

Pixel said...

I voted for today's outfit. Not that I didn't like the last one, but I really love this dress! Your pattern mixing is a constant inspiration in my daily dressing! I don't pattern mix as much as you do, but I mix it up more than I used to!

Unknown said...

Love it!!

Sheila said...

Ha, I'm one of the few who prefers the original outfit! The red belt is jarring to me in this one - the red is more orangey than the red in the skirt's pattern, and my matchy-matchy gene is all riled up.

It's still a killer sweater and I will arm-wrestle Londyn for it (although I think she might beat me).

My Heart Blogged said...

I can't believe how many don't like pattern mixing. I like this outfit a lot more. The red in the skirt really ties into the belt.
My Heart Blogged

No Guilt Fashion said...

What no "I love both, because, you are a pattern mixing fiend," button?
No Guilt Fashion

Kasmira said...

No Guilt Fashion - that was my miss! I guess I didn't give you pattern mixing lovers enough options!

WendyB said...

Leopard AND a good pose! I need to add you to an upcoming post.

Anonymous said...

Pattern mixing isn't bad, but there has to be some semblance of harmony between the patterns.
I wish there was a "not a fan of either, but not against pattern mixing" button.

Violet said...

Love your pattern mixing! I wear tons of bolds but rarely have the guts or initiative to mix them up. Going to try it this week; thanks for the inspiration!

Violet
http://calendars-and-pens.blogspot.com/

Meghan Edge said...

The new version is definitely my favorite.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog, and just gave you the Stylish Blogger Award!

http://diaryofacraft-aholic.blogspot.com/2011/02/stylish-blogger-award.html

Anonymous said...

This is some good advice on patten mixing and she always does it really well:

http://kristinemachine.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-mix-patterns.html

Anonymous said...

I have to say, I'm not a fan of either. I'm in that "pattern mixing is a delicate art" camp. You generally are the master of pattern mixing but there is just something about this I'm not loving. That said, you still look amazing so you must be doing something right!

Anonymous said...

I do like them both, but the newer one slightly more. I liked Arabian Nights but I felt like the patterns were too similar in shade - sort of like they were one item, but then they were two and it ended up making me feel a bit like an optical illusion in one of those magic eye books, a bit dizzy! I prefer the newer one because the skirt part is darker and more contrasting. That said, I love the peacock belt over the leopard, very funky.

- Helen

Anonymous said...

Love your blog. Its the first I check every day. Nothing you wear offends me in the least. There are things I like better than others. However, you consistently inspire me to think beyond the box. I love that you are not letting your age or job dictate your sartorial choices

I like this better than the last version. I am not a fan of pattern mixing. When not done with clear intention and harmony, I personally feel that the look can come across as a child playing dress-up or impoverished person throwing on whatever they have in their closet. It may be geography and demographics of where I live that dictates this opinion. I do like in the land of the Texas Tuxedo after all.

That said, you do stick to classic styles and shapes and everything the silhouette works. I have many of the same pieces you do and look to you to see new shapes and ways to style them.

Lain in Texas

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I'd have to say I'm not a fan of random pattern mixing either. It sort of reminds me of a homeless bag lady. With that said, this one is the least offensive of the two. As your Beefy would say "it's not my favorite." Sorry.

Kerry said...

I like both. My eye is always caught by imaginative pattern mixing. Today's version probably a little more - the darker 'bottom' brings out the black of the collar and boots, and the whole effect is a little more sultry and mysterious.

Londyn said...

Love this look!! To me - yes much better than version 1. I think it's the color blend that makes a big difference. Really pretty.

Rachel said...

I agree with Helen/Anonymous - I think this one works much better, because the colours in the first one were so close it became an optical illusion. Especially from far away (as faked by a small picture)! The dark purple makes a great contrast.