Four facts I discovered today:
- While snow may turn some people into grumpy scrooges, it makes me happy!
- When putting together an outfit, pattern mixing is the most.
- Wearing fun hats makes everyone I come across smile, including myself!
- Hat pins and hairspray are necessities of life. Well, my life, at least.
Pattern mixing is one of my favorite things to do, but it's awfully tricky to pull of successfully. I think I've figured out that if one pattern is a neutral, it helps. Also, pairing bigger patterns with smaller ones as well as pairing busier patterns with subtler ones keeps an outfit from being overwhelmed.
I've already been thinking about my New Year's resolution list, and I think pattern mixing might appear somewhere on there. :)
Outfit details:
Blouse, Dress, Trench: thrifted
Hat: Avenue Antiques (Canton, OH)
Gloves: Kohls 2008
Shoes: Forever 21 2008
Tights: Hue
I seriously think you are my fashion icon of the moment. Every outfit you do is perfection. I am so inspired.
Posted by: Kat | December 08, 2010 at 11:45 AM
You look so cute here. I love the plaid and polka dots, and these pictures came out beautifully. I think you may have inspired me to wear one of my favorite fancy hats today! :D
Posted by: Jenni | December 08, 2010 at 12:00 PM
I love your pattern combination - it's one of my favourite parts of putting together an outfit. I always think it's like dressing yourself in the equivalent of a patchwork quilt or scrapbook layout!
I also love your tartan dress. I've been trying to make one sheet of Basic Grey JuneBug tartan paper last me for about 2 years now! So just today I ordered an October Afternoon version for when the Basic Grey finally runs out!
:-)
Posted by: Julie Kirk | December 08, 2010 at 12:11 PM
You are GORGEOUS! This has got to be my most favorite photo shoot of yours yet. You're such an inspiration. I love it!
Posted by: Amy Morby | December 08, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Pattern mixing is so much fun, as is wearing a hat.
You look stunning!
X
Posted by: Phara | December 08, 2010 at 12:14 PM
beautiful
ps you would look stunning as a redhead
Posted by: Stephanie | December 08, 2010 at 12:19 PM
snow makes me happy too!!! only we don't get that much :( but you are just so lovely in this. i'm not so great at pattern mixing, but i think i may just get myself a polka dot blouse to pair with some plaid. it's perfect for the season!
Posted by: amanda | December 08, 2010 at 12:20 PM
These photos are beautiful. Just tremendous - the patterns, the hat, the snow, the icicles, the colors... and you look gorgeous. wow, wow, wow.
Posted by: Stacy B | December 08, 2010 at 01:23 PM
Love the polka dots with the plaid!
Posted by: DearBeatrice | December 08, 2010 at 02:24 PM
that is a phenomenal hat and I would definitely smile at the sight of it
Posted by: Amber Blue Bird | December 08, 2010 at 02:52 PM
The pattern mixing is so inspirational! I love that shirt!
Posted by: futurelint | December 08, 2010 at 03:27 PM
I do love your outfit posts. You inspire me to look for vintage hats. I would love to know how one uses a hat pin however. tutorial please? :)
Posted by: Christina Clouse | December 08, 2010 at 03:27 PM
plaid and polka dots!!!
you are amazing.
i love this outfit.
you inspire me so so much.
xoox
Posted by: gee | December 08, 2010 at 06:46 PM
Great pattern mixing there. Love your lip colour too.
Posted by: Brigitta Ryan {duo} | December 08, 2010 at 08:43 PM
perfect outfit! You've done it again!
xx
Posted by: Erin | December 08, 2010 at 09:14 PM
WOW! this might be my fav of pattern mixing. I'm not at that point with my style I dont think where I can comfortably pull it off. You are definitely convincing me to try it more!!
Shy
Posted by: Shy | December 08, 2010 at 11:51 PM
that polka dot shirt is amazing. in the photos it looks very 1920s. what a great gem in the wardrobe, and love the hat!
Posted by: emily | December 09, 2010 at 12:46 AM
I love how the icicles frame these photos, so cute! Also, your plaid/polka dot combo is indeed, spot on, har har. Seriously though, awesome pattern mix!
Posted by: Missa | December 09, 2010 at 02:58 AM
i love this--perfectly mixed patterns :) i agree, pattern-mixing is best when one pattern is neutral. i love snow, but i am rather anti-cold. makes it tricky...
Posted by: Caitlin | December 09, 2010 at 12:21 PM
I love the dark dark hair!!! looks fantastic! your outfits are always amazing and beautiful!!
Posted by: Victoria / Justice Pirate | December 09, 2010 at 03:19 PM
These are some of my favorite photos of you! I've been following your blog for awhile, and you just look fabulous in these colors and the shape of the dress and the coat. Gorgeous!
<3 Moorea Seal
Posted by: Moorea Seal | December 09, 2010 at 06:30 PM
This outfit is heaven on earth.
Posted by: Leslie | December 10, 2010 at 07:26 PM
The last image of you in this post is gorgeous!! Love it and love your style.
Posted by: Patty | December 10, 2010 at 11:47 PM
This outfit is divine!
Hat and coat is killer!
And I would have never paired that polka dot shirt with the plaid, but it works so well together!
KUDOS ^.^
Posted by: Jeanee | December 11, 2010 at 12:15 AM
Love this! Such a beautiful outfit. And the hat is incredibly lovely, too. :-)
Posted by: Katie | December 12, 2010 at 03:06 PM
I absolutely LOVE the plaid with the polkadot pattern. It's.... it's just making my brain explode. So great!
Posted by: Heebie Jeebie Jaya | December 14, 2010 at 08:33 PM
oh mandi,
i wish we were friends in real life. [:
Posted by: Kim | January 26, 2011 at 01:34 PM