Cream & Sugar: Mixin' and Matchin'

I've been at the malls quite a bit recently and I feel the need to comment on the new trend of mixing patterns. One word: LOVE. If done correctly, you will be embarking on a whole new edgy, creative, and unique look.

The whole trick to mixing is to have a color in both patterns that serves as an anchor and ties the whole look together. Polka dots and stripes, stripes with a floral, leopard with polka dots, leopard with floral, and the list goes on. It opens your wardrobe and offers more options without even taking a step into the mall. For instance, you have a flowy tank top that is black with white rosettes and some red piping. Take a black and white striped blazer with some jeans or a cute skirt and you've got yourself a winning mix and match outfit. Or you want a new take on your work clothes. If you have pants with a small plaid pattern you can mix it with a floral top or even a bold stripe. Adorable!

Some people think this trend is ridiculous, but I think they just don't know how to execute the look. Let me break it down in a different light. Think about your home furnishings. When you pick out patterns for couches and chairs, you don't normally have everything in the entire room the same color and pattern. If you do, you are probably the same person that doesn't understand this trend and most likely won't try it.

My advice, as with any trend, is to start small, slow, and get advice from a trusted friend. You don't want to end up like the sales associate at Langford Market who styled herself within an inch of her life with every pattern she could find in her closet. This is the extreme and shouldn't be mimicked. If you have a patterned shirt in your closet, possibly a gingham button up, look at your scarves and see if you have anything that will blend like a paisly or floral print. Remember, the key is to look for a color that flows in both pieces. You can do this, ladies! I have fashion faith in you!

As a side note, this trend reminds me of every little girl between the ages of I-can-dress-myself and junior high. They just get up and put on any shirt with any bottom because they love it and now as adults, we're doing the same thing. Who knew we had cutting edge fashion ideas at the age of 5?

Be creative. Be unique. Be you with a patterned flare....if you dare;-)